Alejandro Ruiz Sr. is known for his distinguished service in the Pacific Theater of World War Il. For his actions 'above and beyond the call of duty' during the Battle of Okinawa, Mr. Ruiz received the Congressional Medal of Honor

A first generation Mexican-American, Ruiz was born on June 26th, 1923 in Loving, NM, and grew up in Carlsbad. The outbreak of World War Il found him working on a ranch where he had access to cattle, and in them he saw an opportunity to impress one of the local girls.

With an adventurous spirit and willing to accept the consequences, he herded a cow over a hundred miles to Texas where authorities caught up with him. They offered Ruiz the choice to face the judge or enlist in the Army. It was a turning point in Ruiz's life that would have far reaching impact for him and many others.

In April, 1945, while on patrol during the Battle of Okinawa, his squad came under fire by Japanese in fortified bunkers. With his comrades suffering heavy casualties and displaying the utmost bravery while under fire, Alejandro twice singlehandedly attacked the enemy.

During his first attack his rifle jammed and after using it as a club to subdue an attacking Japanese soldier, he ran back to his squad's position to get a working weapon which he used in his second attack to eliminate the enemy position and save his squad.

After the war in 1946, President Truman presented Alejandro the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. Ruiz also served in the Korean War and afterwards retired as a Master Sergeant. He spent most of the remainder of his life in Visalia, California. After a life of exemplary honor and valor, Alejandro Ruiz died in Napa, California on November 2oth, 2009.