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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Alejandro R Ruiz ~ November 30, 2009
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World
| StarCMC
Posted on 11/29/2009 5:00:12 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! |
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~Alejandro R. Ruiz
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Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz (June 26, 1923 - November 20, 2009) was a former United States Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, for his actions in the Battle of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands during World War II.
Ruiz was born and raised in Loving, New Mexico and enlisted in the United States Army in the town of Carlsbad, New Mexico upon the outbreak of World War II. He was assigned to the U.S. 27th Infantry Division after completing basic training.
During World War II, the conquest of the Japanese island of Okinawa was considered vital for the Allied forces as a step towards an invasion of the Japanese mainland. The invasion (codenamed Operation Iceberg) was the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific war, and involved units of the U.S. Tenth Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. These consisted of III Amphibious Corps (1st and 6th Marine Divisions, with 2nd Marine Division as an afloat reserve), and XXIV Corps (7th, 77th, 96th and 27th Infantry Divisions.)
On April 28, 1945, PFC Ruiz's unit was pinned down by machine gun fire coming from a camouflaged Japanese pillbox and was unable to advance to its assigned objective. Ruiz, on his own initiative, charged the pillbox under a hail of machine gun fire. On his second attempt, he was able to neutralize the pillbox by killing all of its occupants. For his actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor. On June 26, 1946, President Harry S. Truman presented Ruiz with the Medal of Honor in a ceremony held at the White House.
Ruiz resided in Visalia, California and actively participated in activities honoring Medal of Honor recipients. On November 20, 2009, Ruiz passed away. The town of Visalia has honored Ruiz by naming the "Alejandro R. Ruiz Sr. Park" after him, located at North Burke Street and Buena Vista Street.
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ALEJANDRO R. RUIZ Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division Place and date: Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, April 28, 1945 Entered service at: Carlsbad, New Mexico Born: June 26, 1923, Loving, New Mexico G.O. No. 60, June 26, 1946. Citation:
When his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad, suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his feet, Pfc. 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, Pfc. 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. Pfc. 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.
Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!
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Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
2
posted on
11/29/2009 5:03:39 PM PST
by
Jeff Head
(Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC.
Please thank her for today's thread.
Hall of Heroes: Alejandro R Ruiz
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and the family members of the above.
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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
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in keeping the Canteen doors open. The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
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The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.
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Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.
3
posted on
11/29/2009 5:06:30 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
4
posted on
11/29/2009 5:07:46 PM PST
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: Kathy in Alaska
5
posted on
11/29/2009 5:10:55 PM PST
by
BIGLOOK
(Keelhaul Congress!)
To: txradioguy; tongue-tied; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; ...
Honoring Our Heroes 2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD) 3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad) AbnSarge USA Allegra aviator USAF Brett USN (CindyDawg) Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee) Cannoneer No. 4 CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline) CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou) Chris USA (amom) Chuck USA (RightOnline) COL Mike (gpapa) CMS USA ConorMacNessa USN USMC David USAF (LUV W) Defender2 Deven USA (Shimmer) Ethan USMC (georgiabelle) Fred (DocRock) GulfWar1Vet USA IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett) Jade Falcon USN JemiansTerror USA (Jemian) Jet Jaguar USAF Joel (NEMDF) Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal) Josh USN (doug from upland) Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter) Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) Kevin USMC (skimask) Kevin and David USA (vigilante2) Laurita USA LCPL Carter USMC Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) LT David (Coldwater Creek) M1911A1 USMC (M0sby) M1Tanker Major joma89 USAF MEG33's Navy Grandson Michael USAR (RightOnline) Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak) Milo828 USA (mystery-ak) Nate USN (sneakers) Nitro USN Old Sarge USA OneLoyalAmerican USCG PFC Alan USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson) PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo) PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit) PFC Joe USMC (son of DontMessWithTexas) Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit) Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad) Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke) SGT Ev USA (Mozie) SGT Gray USA (colorcountrys son) SGT Sean Reed (preed) Son USCG (GodBlessUSA) SPC Craig USA (mom aka the evil dictator) SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge) SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer) SrA The Black Knight USAF SSG Brian USA (repubmom) SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD) SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad) SSG Mitchel USA (tina07) SSG Spencer USA (grame) SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms) SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear) Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim) The Sailor tongue-tied USN/USA Tonkin USN/USCG txradioguy USA USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman) Valerie USAF (Shimmer) Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline) William USA (jackv)
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6
posted on
11/29/2009 5:12:12 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
A PRAYER OF PROTECTION
The light of God surround you The love of God enfold you The power of God protect you The presence of God watch over you Wherever you are, God is, And all is well. Amen.
BLESS THIS HOUSE Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee.
(Click on graphics for music)
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7
posted on
11/29/2009 5:14:16 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All; laurenmarlowe
8
posted on
11/29/2009 5:17:49 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
9
posted on
11/29/2009 5:19:10 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: redrock; All
10
posted on
11/29/2009 5:22:05 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
11
posted on
11/29/2009 5:23:07 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: SoldierDad; arbee4bush; vigilante2; Jemian; jackv; Old_Professor; mystery-ak; freema; kalee; ...
12
posted on
11/29/2009 5:25:30 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
November 30, 2009
Nowhere Tickets
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
We kept getting tickets to nowhere. We had finished a missions trip to Jamaica and were trying to get home. However, our airline was having problems, and no matter what our tickets said, we couldnt leave Montego Bay. Over and over we heard, Your flight has been canceled. Even though we had purchased our tickets in good faith, the airline could not back up its promise to transport us to the US. We had to stay an extra day before boarding a plane that could take us home.
Imagine thinking that you are headed for heaven, but discovering that your ticket is no good. It can happen. If you trust the wrong plan, you will get to the gate of eternity but be denied entrance into heaven to live with God forever.
The apostle Peter said there is salvation in no one else but Jesus (Acts 4:12). Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). The only ticket to heaven goes to those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross as payment for their sin.
Some offer other ways. But those tickets are worthless. To make sure youre going to heaven, trust Jesus. Hes the only way.
Lord, I know Im a sinner and cannot save myself. I need You as my Savior. Thank You for dying in my place and rising again. I believe in You. Please forgive my sin. I want to live with You in heaven someday.
13
posted on
11/29/2009 5:28:18 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(The character of your children tomorrow depends on what you put into their hearts today.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.
~Tribute to Our Troops~
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Thank you ladies for this evenings thread! *hugs*
To: Jeff Head
And in first....Jeff grabs the gold!!
16
posted on
11/29/2009 5:30:41 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
And in 2nd and snagging the silver....ms b!!
17
posted on
11/29/2009 5:32:16 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
18
posted on
11/29/2009 5:33:27 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: BIGLOOK
And rounding out the top 3....Hawaii bags the bronze!!
19
posted on
11/29/2009 5:33:36 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Jeff Head
Welcome to the Canteen, Jeff, and thanks for the links.
20
posted on
11/29/2009 5:44:36 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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