World War II Honoree

Abraham Ortiz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Coamo, Puerto Rico

Honored By

Mr. Abraham Ortiz

36TH TEXAS INFANTRY DIVISION, 1940. WAS A STAFF SERGEANT AFTER THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR. WAS SENT TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. THERE 3 MONTHS AND THEN SENT TO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WHERE JOINED TO THE 36TH TEXAS INFANTRY DIVISION. SENT OVERSEAS TO THE FRONT LINES IN ITALY. IN THE ADVANCE TOWARD ROME WAS WOUNDED BY SHELL SHRAPNEL ON RIGHT LEG. AFTER MEDICAL TREATMENT, WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO MY COMPANY. AFTER THE CAPTURE OF ROME, MADE THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE, THEN, ADVANCED TOWARD THE BOUNDARY LINE OF GERMANY AND FRANCE. WHILE IN THE WOODS, THE GERMANS START SHELLING THE PLACE. ONE OF THE SHELLS HIT THE TOP OF A ROCK WHERE I WAS WITH ANOTHER SOLDIER. THE ROCK FELL ON TOP OF MY CHEST. THE SOLDIER, WHO WAS WITH ME, CALLED FOR HELP. I WAS CARRIED ON A STRETCHER TO AN AID STATION. THE DOCTOR TOLD ME 'YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION OF THE CHEST. THE WAR IS OVER FOR YOU. YOU WILL BE SENT TO A VETERAN'S AFFAIRS HOSPITAL AT THE STATES.' SENT TO VETERAN'S AFFAIRS HOSPITAL AT DENVER, COLORADO. FROM THERE RETIRED FROM THE ARMY WITH 100% DISABILITY.