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This week's hero is...
Alejandro Ruiz
Alejandro Renteria Ruiz was born on June 26, 1924, in Loving, New Mexico. After he was arrested for allegedly stealing a cow, Ruiz was given the opportunity to choose jail or to enlist in the US Army. He chose the latter. Once he completed basic training, he was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division. Less than a year later, the United States entered World War II. Although he had no way of knowing, his decision to enlist would make a major difference in one of the final and bloodiest battles of the War in the Pacific theatre.
In March of 1945, the US launched an invasion of Okinawa. This island was of strategic importance since it was only 400 miles from mainland Japan. It's capture (along with the nearby volcano island, Iwo Jima) would also be imperative for many American fliers that were going on bombing missions and needed a safe airfield to land at.
Taking Okinawa would be exceptionally difficult as it was garrisoned by more than 70,000 Japanese soldiers who were determined to give their last full measure. Unlike previous island-hopping campaigns, there was also a very large civilian population on Okinawa. And many of them were loyal to the Japanese. With an increasing number of Kamikaze attacks being carried out on the US Navy, it was clear that many American servicemen were going to die taking this island.
On April 28, 1945, Pfc. Alejandro Ruiz's platoon was patrolling an area near the Okinawa village of, Gasukuma. As they entered a nearby ravine, a concealed pillbox opened fire. In a matter of seconds, nearly every man in the platoon was either killed or wounded. Ruiz was among the few who were not killed or incapacitated in the first few minutes. Knowing that his M1 rifle was not sufficient enough against the Japanese pillbox defense, he grabbed a browning automatic rifle (BAR) from a fallen comrade and took the initiative.
Ruiz then charged the pillbox and attempted to knock it out. Unfortunately the BAR jammed after just a few rounds and a Japanese soldier then charged him while he was trying to fix it. Ruiz quickly side-stepped and clubbed him down. He then ran back to his platoon's position, grabbed another BAR, and charged the pillbox again. Despite receiving several wounds to his face and arms, Ruiz ran through the enemy barrage and managed to reach the enemy position. He then climbed on top and fired into the pillbox's openings. Within just seconds, all gunfire from the pillbox ceased. When his comrades searched it, the found the bodies of 12 enemy soldiers inside.
For his extraordinary valor in stopping the enemy attack and saving many of his comrades, Pfc. Alejandro Ruiz received the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart. He went on to serve in the Korean War and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. He lived the rest of his life in California before passing away on November 20, 2009, at the age of 85.
The courage and valor of Alejandro Ruiz truly speaks volumes. When the time came, he answered a call to duty and successfully stopped an ambush against his comrades. As more and more of our World War II veterans pass on, it becomes all the more imperative to tell their stories. Ruiz's story is one that definitely deserves to be told.
https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-xpm-2009-dec-12-la-me-alejandro-ruiz12-2009dec12-story.html
https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/veterans-home-p-o-honors-wwii-hero/article_562a525c-f21e-11e1-bf4c-0019bb2963f4.html
https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/local/2017/11/11/veteran-alejandro-ruiz-sr-inducted-carlsbad-hall-fame/854776001/
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