The Incredible Saga of OSS Col. Peter J. Ortiz in World War II

Very interesting indeed. One hell of a man!



I didn't think the Legion started parachuting until the late 40's though...
 
x SF med said:
since Marines were originally known as Naval Infantry historically, and were the ground soldiers as well as boarding parties from ancient to modern times, Soldier is a correct term when referencing their actions on the brown.
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Like you said, he was a Marine.
 
Last edited:
x SF med said:
since Marines were originally known as Naval Infantry historically, and were the ground soldiers as well as boarding parties from ancient to modern times, Soldier is a correct term when referencing their actions on the brown.
Click to expand...

Says the Army guy... O_o
 
Freefalling said:
I think the ballsiest thing he did was wear his USMC uniform around England.
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Do you mean France?

x SF med said:
Ok.... ground sailor just sounds so demeaning.....
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x SF med said:
since Marines were originally known as Naval Infantry historically, and were the ground soldiers as well as boarding parties from ancient to modern times, Soldier is a correct term when referencing their actions on the brown.
Click to expand...

I think you got it right first time, Naval or Maritime Infantry.
From the little reading I just did on the subject, the USMC has direct history to the first British Marine unit (Although they weren't called Marines at that time), which was the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot, formed 28 October 1664.
 
pardus said:
Do you mean France?
Click to expand...

No.

Army leadership was very, very touchy concerning Marines in the ETO. We know they were there, I think many of us knew that prior to this thread, but the Army considered Europe to be its war. Marshall had a hard-on for keeping Marines out of Europe. Books blend together after a bit, but I think it was Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn which covered this in maybe one or two paragraphs. Keeping the Corps in the Pacific wasn't just a practical matter, it was one of "pride" by Army leadership.

My comment though was part tongue-in-cheek, but based on reality.
 
Freefalling said:
No.

Army leadership was very, very touchy concerning Marines in the ETO. We know they were there, I think many of us knew that prior to this thread, but the Army considered Europe to be its war. Marshall had a hard-on for keeping Marines out of Europe. Books blend together after a bit, but I think it was Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn which covered this in maybe one or two paragraphs. Keeping the Corps in the Pacific wasn't just a practical matter, it was one of "pride" by Army leadership.

My comment though was part tongue-in-cheek, but based on reality.
Click to expand...

Ah gotcha. Yeah I knew some Marines were in the ETO, that was completely asinine of Marshall.
 
Another thread was started here on COL Ortiz. Which again piques my curiosity as to whether his FFL claims were legit or he was (initially) a poser.
From what I know of FFL history and from a convo I had with a French SOF guy, I'm leaning toward the latter. Wouldn't be the first time a genuine badass/hero was found out to be a bullshit artist. :-/
 

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