Alejandro R. Ruiz Medal of Honor Citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

ALEJANDRO RENTERIA RUIZ
ARMY

for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 28 April 1945, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, when his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox. Private Ruiz’ squad, suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his feet, Private First Class Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through the flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire for the top of the emplacement. When an enemy soldier charged him, his rifle jammed. Undaunted, Private First Class Ruiz whirled on his assailant and clubbed him down. Then he ran back through bullets and grenades, seized more ammunition and another automatic rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was concentrated on him, but he charged on, miraculously reaching the position, and in plain view he climbed to the top. Leaping from one opening to another, he sent burst after burst into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the position. Private First Class Ruiz’s heroic conduct, in the face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many comrades and eliminated an obstacle that long would have checked his unit’s advance.

Born 26 June 1923 in Loving, N.M…. Also served in the Korean War… Also awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart… Departed: 20 November 2009… Interred: Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery in Yountville, Calif.