Posted by Pedro Baraoidan on April 6, 2012:

I was a Plebe in the Class of 1959 (circa 5 July 1955) when I first met then First Class Cadet Joven G. Villanos, who was a member of the Beast Barracks detail. While he was the "littlest man in the entire Corps of Cadets" - being 5' 2" at that time - our class found him "the Tiger" of the Class 56 Beast Barracks Detail, often dreaded by most of my classmates. But, I did not have any problem with "Joe Vee" - or rather, he did not have any problem with me - for a month earlier, I had just completed and survived the PMA Class of 1959 Beast Barracks in Polo Fields, Baguio City - and breezed through the Beast Barracks, even gaining some 25 pounds when it was over. I was assigned to Co. M-1 after the summer, where Joe Vee was assigned during the regular year, together with then Second Class Cadet Louie San Andres. During the one year before he graduated that I go to know him, I found out that Joe Vee was actually a very friendly and unassuming person. My squad leader then was "Bernie" O'Brien, who has been Joe Vee's room-mate during their entire 4 years in the Academy. I had been told that this arrangement was necessary as Bernie O'Brien was one of the goats of Class '56, and were it not for Joe Vee's tutoring him, Bernie would not have lasted Plebe Year. Bernie graduated with Joe, of course, and later became a well-known US District Judge after he left the Service. Joe Vee was quite active in extra-curricular activities, with memberships in the Camera Club, Catholic Choir, Debate Council and Forum, Mathematics Forum, the Spanish Club, Pistol Club, and (would you believe) the Weight Lifting Club. He was well-loved by his Classmates, and counts among his friends in the Class '56 well-known military personalities like General Norman Schwartzkopf, the hero of Desert Storm. I am aware that that Gen Schwartzkopf was responsible for obtaining visitor's visas for Joe Vee's entire family as personal guests of Gen Schwartzkopf during a Class '56 reunion at West Point. We became quite close with Joe Vee and his family during our over 30 years stint in the Service. And I deeply regret that I will not be there in Manila to bid him good bye. To Etta and his family, my family and I extend our sincerest condolences.

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