| José M. Cabanillas | |
| Birth Date: | 23 September 1901 |
| Birth Place: | Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
| Death Place: | Richmond, Virginia, US |
| Placeofburial: | cremated and buried at sea |
| Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1920–1955 |
| Rank: | Rear Admiral |
| Battles: | World War II |
| Awards: | Bronze Star with "V" device |
José M. Cabanillas should not be confused with José María Cabanillas.
José M. Cabanillas (September 23, 1901 – September 5, 1979), was a rear admiral in the United States Navy who as an executive officer of the USS Texas participated in the invasions of North Africa and the Battle of Normandy (also known as D-Day) during World War II.
Cabanillas was born to José C. Cabanillas and Asunción Grau de Cabanillas in the city of Mayagüez, which is located in the western coast of Puerto Rico. There he received his primary and secondary education. In 1917, at the age of 16, he was sent to Alabama to attend the Marion Military Institute. In the school he underwent a two-year preparatory course which prepared him for the United States Naval Academy.
He graduated from the institute in 1919 and on June 16, 1920, received an appointment from Arthur Yager, the U.S.-appointed governor of Puerto Rico from 1913 to 1921, to attend the United States Naval Academy. Cabanillas graduated from the Academy on June 4, 1924, and was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy.[1] Prior to World War II, Cabanillas served aboard various cruisers, destroyers and submarines. Among the battleships that he served in were the USS Florida, USS Colorado and USS Oklahoma. From June 1927 to January 1928 he received instruction in submarines at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, after which he served in the USS S-3 until May 1930. Cabanillas earned a Master of Science in June 1932 from Yale University.[2]
In 1942, upon the outbreak of World War II, he was assigned executive officer of the USS Texas (BB-35). The USS Texas was the oldest remaining dreadnought, and was one of only two remaining ships to have served in both world wars at that time. On November 8, the Texas participated in the invasion of North Africa. by destroying an ammunition dump near Port Lyautey. Cabanillas also participated in the invasion of Normandy on (D-day). On June 6, 1944, his ship's secondary battery went to work on another target, Cherbourg, France, on the western end of "Omaha" beach.[2] Cabanillas was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," for "meritorious achievement and outstanding performance of duty as executive officer of the USS Texas during the Invasion of Normandy and the bombardment of Cherbourg.[2] His Bronze medal citation reads as follows:
"Taking over ship control in the conning tower after an enemy shell had destroyed the bridge, the primary control station, Captain Cabanillas rendered invaluable service to his commanding officer in the performance of the assigned mission..."
In 1945, Cabanillas became the first commanding officer of the USS Grundy, which was commissioned on January 3, 1945. The Grundy helped in the evacuation of Americans from China during the Chinese Civil War. Under his command, the Grundy earned the following citations: China Service Medal (extended), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp). In December 1945, he was reassigned to Naval Station Norfolk located in Norfolk, Virginia, as Assistant Chief of Staff (Discipline), 5th Naval District.[3]
In July 1949, Cabanillas was transferred to Naval Station Orange, located in Orange, Texas, where he served as commanding officer.
In July 1950, he became commander of the USS Dixie, a destroyer tender in the Pacific. During the Korean War he provided firing cover to the U.S. Marines involved in the Inchon invasion. In 1951, Cabanillas was reassigned to the staff of the United States Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. In 1953, he was transferred to the fifth Naval District in San Juan, Puerto Rico as chief of staff.
Cabanillas retired from the Navy in 1955 and moved to Richmond, Virginia. In 1956, Cabanillas made use of the benefits of the G.I. Bill and studied law at the University of Richmond School of Law. He passed the Virginia Bar at the end of his second year. He served as law librarian at the University for 6 years and then joined a Richmond law firm.
Cabanillas died on September 5, 1979, at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center in Richmond. He was the first Puerto Rican to make rear admiral in the US Navy, albeit a tombstone promotion. He was cremated and buried at sea with full military honors.[4]
In 2023 José M. Cabanillas was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.[5]
Among Rear Admiral José M. Cabanillas' decorations and medals were the following:
| Submarine Officers Warfare insignia | ||||
| Bronze Star with Combat "V" for Valor | American Defense Service Medal with one service star | American Campaign Medal | European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three service stars | |
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one service star | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) | China Service Medal | |
| National Defense Service Medal | Korean Service Medal w/ with silver service star | United Nations Korea Medal | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | |