“It gives me great pleasure to present Ollie with this overdue medal for his brave service a half a century ago,” Ross said.  “He fought in one of the bloodiest events of World War II, helping to pave the way for U.S. forces during the Normandy Invasion.  He was later wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, and even then, he continued in the war effort, repairing gas masks for his fellow soldiers.  I am pleased that our office was able to obtain for him the Bronze Star medal, which he truly deserves.  His perseverance and patriotism are an example for us all.” 

Ollie Cortez fought during one of World War II’s most memorable events; D-Day.  Cortez says he was supposed to be sent to the Pacific Theatre, but instead was re-routed to Boston to embark for London and prepare for the Normandy Invasion.  On D-Day, Cortez was with the 28th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, Company B, where he was trained to operate a flame-thrower to eliminate snipers hiding in buildings.

Later, fighting in the front lines in Belgium, a German mortar round hit his foxhole, killing his buddy and wounding Cortez in the abdomen.  He was airlifted to England, where he was hospitalized for several months.  Rather than being sent back to the States, he was sent to the 56th Signal Battalion in Paris, where he repaired gas masks.  He was later given an honorable discharge.

Unfortunately, Cortez’s personal war records were lost in a flood that damaged his family’s home, and the official copies of his records were destroyed along with many others in a fire that consumed a military warehouse in St. Louis, Missouri.  He has waited until now to receive the Bronze Star medal.  The medal is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service.