My father. Fortunato Ortiz Ortiz participated during the Korean Conflict was part of the 65th INF from 1950-52.  He passed in 1998 and buried at the National Cemetery in Bayamon, PR. 

I am also, Retired 1SG and still working at Fort Jackson, SC as Army Civilian. Total time of service and working 43 years.

My father was an Indirect Fire Infantryman and wounded in action. He was buried alive in his mortar position due to the enemy’s heavy artillery. As he told me–it was during the monsoon season and the enemy artillery concussions softened the adjacent hill enough to produce a mud slide. Every one his squad died but one who alerted the others of the results and tragedy.

My father sustained internal broken-bones throughout his body. Was air-lifted to Japan where he spent over 8 months in recovery. He was sent to PR and I think was reassigned to a unit either Caguas or, Ponce.

If my memory suits me right? In 1983-84 the Pentagon changed the Purple Heart standards. Where unless a victim and/or casualty sustained an open wound by direct enemy aggression. I believed the reason my father did not get this award was because he  was not he did not suffered an open skin injury at the time. Or, his Commander and other leaders did not know enough to support his case.

In 1992, I was assigned at the University of Texas El Paso, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and requested his discharge documents, DD214. I believe he got short change throughout the years. I saw my father suffered excruciating pains and other things like PTSD. At the time PTSD was not recognized as a mental problem. He spent few times at the VA hospital in PR due to other conditions related or secondary effects of this mental and physical conditions.

On July 12, 1973 the National Personnel Records Repository suffered a massive fire where records of Army and Air Force service members were destroyed and that included my fathers military records.

I am in the process to request another copy. The copy I received and cannot find now-a-days was poor written and ineligible.

BLUF (Bottom-Line-Up-Front), I respectfully appealing to you (all) to investigate and or request this award. My father’s rank at the time was PFC. Not sure why was so low in rank? But different times, different mind-set.

It may be too late for my father but It’s about to set the record straight even if this award is granted posthumously. My brothers, son, nephews, and me followed his foot steps to serve honorably in the Armed Forces to this date.

Respectfully

Fortunato Ortiz-Rivera

1SG Retired