FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Alejandro R Ruiz ~ 11 April 2022

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Alejandro R. Ruiz

Story from this website.

           

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.

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!

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!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Alejandro R Ruiz ~

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[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Monday,
April 11, 2022

Making Every Moment Count

Read: Matthew 24:36–44

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42

The halted hands of a pocket watch in a library’s archives at the University of North Carolina tell a harrowing tale. They mark the exact moment (8:19 and 56 seconds) the watch’s owner Elisha Mitchell slipped and fell to his death at a waterfall in the Appalachian Mountains on the morning of June 27, 1857.

Mitchell, a professor at the university, was gathering data to defend his (correct) claim that the peak he was on—which now bears his name, Mount Mitchell—was the highest one east of the Mississippi. His grave is located at the mountain’s summit, not far from where he fell.

As I ascended that mountain peak recently, I reflected on Mitchell’s story and my own mortality and how each of us has only so much time. And I pondered Jesus’ words about His return as He spoke to His disciples on the Mount of Olives: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

Jesus clearly indicates that none of us knows either the moment He’ll return and establish His kingdom forever or when He may summon us to leave this world and come to Him. But He tells us to be prepared and “keep watch” (v. 42).

Tick . . . tick . . . The “clockwork” of our lives is still in motion—but for how long? May we live our moments in love with our merciful Savior, waiting and working for Him. — James Banks

How are you preparing to meet Jesus? What do you look forward to the most about being with Him?

Loving Savior, please help me to be ready to meet You at any time. Help me to serve You and prepare for Your return today.

Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 17–18; Luke 11:1–28

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...have you had a nice relaxing day?

Mostly sunny and blue sky here.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

PFC Alejandro Ruiz’s guardian angel was working overtime that day to keep him safe. Wow!

I hope your day has been a good one. It’s another pretty one up there.
There was a nice aurora display over Anchorage last night around midnight that I missed but can see it now on rewind.

[radu]

It was a relaxing day, of sorts, but not by choice. I'd planned to get out to piddle around in the yard but when I woke up, it was a big NOPE!!!

Spring is definitely here. Poo Day! GACK!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...and now your garden grows. Have you planted the veggies you need for salad fixings?

Hope your flowers are doing well, too.

[PROCON]

Thanks for remembering tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[left that other site]

My herbs are doing great, but my veggies are a bust.

However, I’ll never go hungry with all these BUNNIES around! LOL!

Maybe I can get Elmer Fudd to bag a few.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

All rested and ready to take on the new week?

Still studying up on powder coating?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Guardian angel at work, for sure!!

I’ll have to peek out a couple times this evening to see if I can see anything from here. I’ve seen them before from my deck.

They are something to behold, especially if they are dancing.

[radu]

I don’t know if there’ll be another aurora “dance” over Anchorage tonight but you never know. Checking the aurora forecast, chances look pretty good for it.
I’ll have to remember to check periodically later tonight.

I’d love to stand underneath a dancing aurora just once. I’d probably faint from the excitement. LOL

[luvie]

PFC Alejandro R. Ruiz
June 26, 1923 - November 20, 2009
United States Army
Medal of Honor recipient
for actions in the Battle of Okinawa
in the Ryukyu Islands
during World War II
Rest In Peace Brave Hero

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

Hope it was nice at your house today. It was a bit warm here but not unbearable. 88 at the highest. I’ve transitioned into spring clothes finally. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh no!!! “IT” has arrived!! Time to stay in.

Will they finish in one day? Do you know what crop yet?

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Good to hear it wasn’t too horribly hot there today. Spring clothes? At 88 degrees, that’s summer clothing weather!

Check post #8 to see what it was like here today. LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first...radu grabs the gold!!