San Benito - Juan Francisco Guerra, 87, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2007 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, TX. Juan was born on June 16, 1920 to his parents, Hijenio and Angelita Guerra. He is survived by his loving wife Carmen Guerra; 1 daughter: Gloria Flores; 3 sons: Joel Guerra (Adelita), Alfonso Guerra (Rosita), Willie Guerra (Eva); 12 grandchildren: Jose Luis Flores, Norma Linda Flores, Maria Elena Flores, Julie Ann Rodriguez, Juanita Garcia, Corina Moreno, Belinda Brown, April Perez, Guadalupe "Chopper" Brown, Irene Guerra, Lupita Guerra, Willie Guerra, Jr., Oliver Cruz, Rhonda Cruz and Belinda A. Cruz. In addition, Juan is survived by: 19 great grandchildren; 5 brothers: Hijenio Guerra, Jr., Joe Guerra, Calistro Guerra, Roberto Guerra, George Guerra and 1 sister: Lupe Martinez. He is preceded in death by his sister: Maria Elena Balli and great granddaughter: Jennifer Marie Gonzales. Juan Francisco Guerra served in the United States Army and was one of the Valley's most decorated military heroes, a man who earned five bronze stars during Worl War II fighting in Guadalcanal, New Guinea and Leyte, and then, when recalled to service during the Korean conflict, demonstrated such valor that he was plucked from the front line by a helicopter, flown to Tokyo, and personally presented with the Army's Distinguished Service Cross by theater commander Matthew B. Ridgway. One gramed 1952 Valley Morning Star clipping reads: "Battle-Hardened Veteran Returns.". Visitation will be held today, Tuesday September 11, 2007 from 12:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, TX. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in San Benito, TX. Interment will follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park with full military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post 205 of Harlingen, TX and the V.F.W. Post 2410 of San Benito, TX. Words of comfort may be left for the family of Juan F. Guerra at www.thomaegarza.com.