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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients RUIZ, ALEJANDRO R. RENTERIA Rank and organization: Private
First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division.
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients RUIZ, ALEJANDRO R. RENTERIA Rank and organization: Private
First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division.
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Citation: When his unit was stopped
by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad, suddenly brought under a
hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to
his feet, Pfc. Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through the flying grenades
and rifle and automatic fire for the top of the emplacement. When an enemy soldier
charged him, his rifle jammed. Undaunted, Pfc. Ruiz whirled on his assailant and clubbed
him down. Then he ran back through bullets and grenades, seized more ammunition and
another automatic rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was concentrated
on him, but he charged on, miraculously reaching the position, and in plain view he
climbed to the top. Leaping from 1 opening to another, he sent burst after burst into
the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the position. Pfc.
Ruiz's heroic conduct, in the face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many comrades
and eliminated an obstacle that long would have checked his unit's advance.