Rodrigo G. Ortiz
submitted by: Texas Viramontes
Rodrigo G. Ortiz is my great Grandfather and he is a well known member in my family. Rodrigo G. Ortiz was born on February 25th, 1922 in Gamerco, New Mexico. He had four brothers and five sisters. His dad’s name was also Rodrigo and his mom’s name was Hosefa. His dad was a miner and went to Mimbres, New Mexico to mine for gold, he went after my Great Grandpa finished high school. They stood in Santa Rita, New Mexico then went to San Lorenzo, New Mexico where he met his future wife, Teresa. Soon after that he went to California to sign up for the army. A little bit after he was sent to Florida to train. He would have to swim from about a mile back to shore with all his gear on. Once he was done with his training his unit got shipped out to England. Then after landing and surviving D-day his company went to fight in the Battle of the Hedges. A little after they arrived at the battle Rodrigo got shot in the shin and landed in a ditch. He had to act dead so people wouldn’t kill him. It was chaos because British were on the left side and Australia on the right and US in the middle. Then they treated him for his injury and once he was stable enough he got shipped to the Queen Mary hospital ship, then Battle creek Michigan hospital, and then to a Colorado hospital. He received a purple heart and a few years later he was let out of the hospital. Then unfortunately gangrene set in his leg and he had to get his leg amputated from the knee down. Soon after he got a wooden leg. Then Rodrigo and Teresa got married and moved to California. Together they had four kids Johnny, Roland, Veronica and Rodrigo, yes another Rodrigo. Rodrigo G. Ortiz went to barber school with his brother. Next he became a full time barber and did that for a while, still living in California. Both Rodrigo and Teresa lived a comfortable long life. Together they had 12 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. Teresa his wife died from natural causes on June 9th, 2011. Rodrigo lived for a bit after. His last residence was Oakmont senior living in Upland, California. That is where I lived when I was little and I was fortunate enough to meet him. Rodrigo G. Ortiz passed away on October 7, 2016.
I see my Great Grandpa as a hero because he served in World War 2. He will always be loved and remembered by my family.
