World War II Honoree

Juan J. Ortega, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Trinidad, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On April 8, 1942, he entered the United States Army from Colorado, deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations upon the completion of his combat infantry training at Camp White, Oregon. Served as a Rifleman, assigned to Baker Company, First Battalion, 363rd Infantry Regiment a subordinate unit of the 91st Infantry ‘Pine Tree’ Division attached to the U.S. Fifth Army. Killed in Action Saturday, October 14, 1944 during the capture/occupation of Livergnano, Italy and buried in the Pietramala battlefield cemetery at Mount Beni, Italy. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, his remains were returned to his family for burial, with interment at the Catholic Cemetery in Trinidad, Colorado. This Soldier, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.