COLONEL PIERRE (PETER) ORTIZ. After a few months respite, returned to action behind enemy lines and received a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism whlie serving with the Office of Strategic Services during operations behind enemy Axis lines in the Savoie Department of France, from 1 August 1944, to 27 April1945. After parachuting into a region where his activities had made him an object of intensive search by the Gestapo, Major Ortiz valiantly continued his work in coordinating and leading resistance groups in that section. When he and his team were attacked and surrounded during a special mission designed to immobilize enemy reinforcements stationed in that area, he disregarded the possiblity of escape and, in an effort to spare villagers severe reprisals by the Gestapo, surrendered to this sadistic Geheim Staats Polizei. Subsequently imprisoned and subjected to numerous interrogations, he divulged nothing, and the story of this intrepid Marine Major and his team became a brilliant legend in that section of France where acts of bravery were considered commonplace. By his outstanding loyalty and self-sacrificing devotion to duty, Major Ortiz contributed materially to the success of operations against a relentless enemy, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

In recognition of his record of fearlessness in the face of incredible odds, the Republic of France conferred on Colonel Ortiz the Medaille Militaire, the Croix de Guerre on several occasions, and made him a member of the Legion of Valor. In addition, the United Kingdom inducted him into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

View Col. Ortiz’ Navy Cross citation.