World War II Honoree

Salvador Ortega

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Douglas, Arizona

Honored By

A Grateful American

HE SPENT 4 YEARS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER AS A MEMBER OF THE 1ST ARMY'S ARMORED (SPEARHEAD) DIVISION AS AN AERIAL PHOTO INTERPRETER AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICER. HIS DIVISION SAW HEAVY COMBAT WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN BOTH D-DAY AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HIS UNIT WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. HIS DIVISION WAS 1 OF 6 THAT HELD THE LINE AND TURN THE GERMAN ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE WAS AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL, AS WELL AS THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL. BATTLES: NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE ARDENNES.