Private First Class Robert Manuel Ortiz
Navy Cross
Robert Manuel Ortiz was born in Tucson AZ on October 29, 1924 to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F Ortiz. By the age of 6 he and his family had moved to El Paso where he would grow up and graduate from Cathedral HS in 1941. He enrolled at Texas College of Mines that year and in the summer of 1942 attended NMAMC. In the spring of 1943 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and went to boot camp at San Diego CA. In July of 1943 he was able to come home for his only leave. He was 18 at that time and it is when the photo above was taken. By October his unit, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division had shipped out to the central pacific. In January 1944 his unit swarmed ashore Roi-Namur as part of the invasion of Kwajalein. Next in June 1944, he fought his way ashore on Saipan, then in July he was part of the fight that took Tinian. The next action for the 25th Marines would be the invasion of Iwo Jima in March 1945. Landing on February 19, 1945, his unit stayed in the fight until the cessation of hostilities.
The following is extracted from the citation accompanying the award of the Navy Cross, our nation’s second highest award for valor.
“Despite lack of previous experience as a flame thrower, PFC Ortiz repeatedly volunteered his services when two flame thrower operators in his company became casualties. Joining whichever platoon was engaged in the assault he voluntarily carried his weapon many times through murderous enemy machine gun, sniper and rifle fire to positions 50 to 100 yards in front of the lines, steadfastly refusing relief from this extremely hazardous and tiring duty until he had aided I the destruction of ten Japanese pillboxes. On 1 March, courageously attempting to extricate his company from a heavy barrage of fire from an enemy fortified emplacement….he crawled with his flame thrower to an exposed but advantageous firing point and, by diverting fire from a demolitions team enabled it to advance and destroy the position. Mortally wounded during his action, PFC Ortiz, by his aggressiveness and indomitable fighting spirit…contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of his company’s mission. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
In 1948, his remains were brought home and reinterred at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. PFC Robert Manuel Ortiz was 20 years of age at the time of his death.