World War II Honoree

Claudio Ortiz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Naranjito, Puerto Rico

Honored By

Wife and Children

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN AND THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. HE SERVED AS A RIFLEMAN AND LIGHT MORTAR CREWMAN IN FOX COMPANY OF THE ALL PUERTO RICAN 295TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (TODO POR LA PATRIA) AND IN DOG COMPANY OF THE ALL PUERTO RICAN 65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT (HONOR ET FIDELITAS). HE SERVED IN ITALY (27 SEPTEMBER 1944 TO 17 OCTOBER 1944), FRANCE (19 OCTOBER 1944 TO 10 APRIL 1945), AND GERMANY (11 APRIL 1945 TO 17 MAY 1945). HE DEPARTED FRANCE ON 23 MAY 1945, EVENTUALLY RETURNING TO PUERTO RICO ON 18 DECEMBER 1945. HIS WWII MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS INCLUDED: THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL WITH FOREIGN SERVICE CLASP, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE WWII OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH GERMANY CLASP, AND THE SHARPSHOOTER QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH RIFLE BAR. HE PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY FOR 24 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AND 29 DAYS.