Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

1943

While on reconnaissance on the Tunisian front, Captain Peter Ortiz, U.S.M.C.R. was severely wounded in the right hand while engaged in a personal encounter with a German patrol. He dispersed the patrol with grenades. Captain Ortiz is making good recovery in hospital at Algiers. The (P)urple (H)eart was awarded to him.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism while attached to the United States Naval Command, Office of Strategic Services, London, England, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in enemy-occupied territory, from 8 January to 20 May 1944. Operating in civilian clothes and aware that he would be subject to execution in the event of his capture, Major Ortiz parachuted from an airplane with two other officers of an Inter-Allied mission to reorganize existing Maquis groups in the region of Rhone. By his tact, resourcefulness and leadership, he was largely instrumental in affecting the acceptance of the mission by local resistance leaders, and also in organizing parachute operations for the delivery of arms, ammunition and equipment for use by the Maquis in his region. Although his identity had become known to the Gestapo with the resultant increase in personal hazard, he voluntarily conducted to the Spanish border four Royal Air Force officers who had been shot down in his region, and later returned to resume his duties. Repeatedly leading successful raids during the period of this assignment, Major Ortiz inflicted heavy casualties on enemy forces greatly superior in number, with small losses to his own forces. By his heroic leadership and astuteness in planning and executing these hazardous forays, Major Ortiz served as an inspiration to his subordinates and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism while 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 April 1945. 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 possibility 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."

SPOT AWARD, Commander, 12th Fleet: Serial 14928.
Second Navy Cross received as a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

October 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

October 1945

With five citations

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

October 1945

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

U.S. Marine Corps

With "Combat V"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

1943

Second Purple Heart received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Légion Étrangère, Armée de terre

Received with a silver palme to replace five received bronze palmes + 2 citations

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With 2 palms, 1 gold star, 1 silver star and five citations.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Légion Étrangère, Armée de terre

Unit:

Légion Étrangère, Armée de terre

Unit:

Légion Étrangère, Armée de terre

Unit:

Légion Étrangère, Armée de terre

For multiple wounds

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Parachute School, USMC Camp Lejeune, U.S. Marine Corps

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Special Operations, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Government

Awarded on:

August 25th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Major ORTIZ was sent to France to direct the organisation and arming of Maquis groups in the area DROME, ISERE, SAVOIE.

For four months this officer assisted in the organisation of the Maquis in a most difficult department, where members were in constant danger of attack.

In spite of this, he also managed to visit the VERCORS and SAVOIE in company with other members of the mission on several occasions, and to cover the three departments allotted to them. Furthermore, he took a heavy responsability and ran great risks in looking after four R.A.F. Officer who had been brought down in his neighbourhood, and accompanying themto the Spanish border. From interviews which have since taken place with the Officer concerned, it is evident that Major ORTIZ excercised consummate skill and daring in his methods.

In the course of his efforts to obtain the release of these officers, he raided a German military garage and took ten Gestapo motors which he used frequently. So secure did he make himself in his arrondissement, that he procured a Gestapo pass for his own use, in spite of the fact that he was well known to the enemy.

The four Officers concerned are unanimous in their opinion that the gallant and brave work performed by Major ORTIZ is worthy of recognition."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Mjor General
Special Operations Executive

Many websites state he was awarded the Fourth Class or Officer of this Order. Yet the National Archives have documented that although a Fourth Class was signed by George VI this was a clergical mistake and that he was in fact recommended for a Fifth Class or (Honoray) Member of the British Empire and as such was awarded.