Peter J. Ortiz
Pierre (Peter) Julien Ortiz | |
|---|---|
Colonel Peter J. Ortiz, U.S. Marine Corps | |
| Born | July 5, 1913 New York City, US |
| Died | May 16, 1988 (aged 74) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States France |
| Branch | U.S. Marine Corps French Foreign Legion |
| Rank | Colonel, USMC Acting Lieutenant, FFL |
| Conflicts | French conquest of Morocco World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" Purple Heart (2) British Order of the British Empire French Légion d'Honneur French Médaille militaire French Croix de Guerre (5) French Médaille des Évadés French Croix du Combattant French Médaille des Blesses Order of Ouissam Alaouite |
| Spouse | Jean M. Ortiz |
| Children | 1 |
Pierre (Peter) Julien Ortiz OBE (July 5, 1913 – May 16, 1988) was a United States Marine Corps colonel who received two Navy Crosses for extraordinary heroism as a major in World War II. He served in North Africa and Europe during the war, as a member of the French Foreign Legion, the Marine Corps, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), operating behind enemy lines several times. Ortiz also acted in Hollywood films after the war. He was one of very few Marines who served in combat in Europe during World War II, and one of the most decorated Marine officers of the war.