World War II Honoree

Andrew Ortega Elias

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Selma, California

Honored By

Wesley Bushrod

Relationship

Grandson

FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES ON 5 EXTENSIVE RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS PENETRATING AS FAR AS 8,000 YARDS INTO ENEMY TERRITORY, ALSO HE WAS A LEAD SCOUT FOR 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS UNDER THE MOST INTENSE CONDITIONS, WHEN UNDER ENEMY FIRE, HE DISPLAYED EXEMPLARY COOLNESS AND EFFECTIVELY RETURNED THE FIRE. HIS ABILITY, WILLINGNESS AND LEADERSHIP WERE AN ASSET TO THIS COMMAND. THE OAK LEAF CLUSTER FOR THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO HIM, HE ALSO WAS AWARDED ANOTHER OAK LEAF CLUSTER TO THE PURPLE HEART AT A CEREMONY CONDUCTED AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAL INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC. ALSO HE WAS WITH THE RECONNAISSANCE TROOP OF THE AMERICAL DIVISION.