The ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center is scheduled for Aug. 26 at the new location on 120 Kircher Street. The City of Carlsbad is in the process of moving the San Jose Senior Center to this new location.
Thank you to Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Rodriguez for the idea to name the center after Ruiz, and thank you to Carlsbad City Council for approving this recommendation. We have spoken with members of Mr. Ruiz’s family and they are working to be here for the ceremony. We look forward to an opportunity to honor a hero who achieved our nation’s highest military honor.
Who is Alejandro Ruiz? Ruiz is a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who was born in Loving. He enlisted in the United States Army in Carlsbad at the outbreak of World War II. According to family members, Ruiz was transporting cows in Carlsbad when he felt an urge to travel to Texas to confess his love and propose to then-girlfriend, Eliza Martinez.
He was accused of stealing the livestock, family members say, and a judge told him he could go to jail or enlist. He enlisted.
Ruiz was assigned to the U.S. 27th Infantry Division. He was part of the conquest of the Japanese island of Okinawa. On April 28, 1945, Ruiz’s unit was pinned down by machine gun fire. According to military reports, Ruiz charged the enemy pillbox. At one point, his rifle jammed, so he used it as a club. He then went back for more ammo and another rifle, being fired upon the entire time. He destroyed the entire enemy position and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers.
“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,” read his Medal of Honor citation.
Ruiz is a member of the Carlsbad Hall of Fame, and you can read the entire story by visiting the Carlsbad Museum.
After returning from Japan, Ruiz married Eliza Martinez in June 1946, days before he received the Medal of Honor from President Truman. He also served in the Korean War.
Ruiz died in 2009 in Visalia, California. A park in Visalia is named after him, as is the community center in Loving. We’re very proud to help recognize this outstanding hero. We hope you will join us at this dedication ceremony in August and will provide additional detail as we get closer to the event.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway