Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Alamosa, Colorado
Honored By
His Loving Family
B-17 PILOT WITH THE 352ND BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON. SERVED IN NORTH AFRICA AND WAS CREDITED WITH 50 MISSIONS FOR A TOTAL TIME OF 263:45 FLIGHT HOURS. CIRILO 'BEEF' ORTIZ RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND THE AIR MEDAL WITH NINE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS. HE WAS THE FIRST PILOT FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO TO RECEIVE THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.