World War II Honoree

Richard Armando Ortiz

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS IN THE 11TH GRADE WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT. HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND WITH THE PARENTS PERMISSION HE JOINED THE NAVY AT CAMP WALLACE, HOUSTON, TEXAS. HE RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING AT THE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO CAMP BRUNO, CALIFORNIA TO RECEIVE COXSWAIN'S TRAINING IN THE HANDLING OF SMALL BOATS. HE SHIPPED OUT ON AN AUXILIARY ASSAULT SHIP FOR THE NAVAL AMMUNITION DEPOT ON THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA. HE SERVED HIS DUTY UNTIL THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN. HE WAS RETURNED ON A TROOP SHIP TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA AND TRANSFERRED BY TRAIN TO GALVESTON, TEXAS WHERE HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY. HE REMAINED IN THE ACTIVE RESERVES.