Colonel Armando Ruiz - 1940 - 1949

Colonel Armando "Tommy" Ruiz, is a Graduate of Bowie high school in El Paso,Texas. Armando was a Colonel in the United States Army Air Force at a time when Mexican Americans were not commonly at that rank. Armando was a trumpet player in the United States Military Band where he played with Glenn Miller on his tour thru Europe for the Ally forces. Armando flew B-17 aircraft for the 12TH Air force in North Africa & the 15TH Air Force in Europe as the bombers Navigator. This decorated commander received was shot down off the coast of the Adriatic Sea; surviving as a prisoner of war in Nazi Occupied Germany. He is honored for his service among many other brave patriots, at the United States World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Armando "Tommy" Ruiz married to Consuelo "Connie" Ruiz, Father of David Ruiz & Rita Lewis. Grandfather to Dominique "Nickie" Esparza, Gretchen Ruiz, & Jacob Ruiz, and Great Grandfather to Michael Esparza, Matthew Esparza, Mark Esparza, Marie Write, Gwendolyn Ruiz, & Rory Ruiz....Daughter in-law Bertha " Alice" Ruiz, Son in-law Barry Lewis & Grand Daughter in-law Lucy Ruiz......Because he survived we are a family.

Area: Out of Area / Out of Area

Source: David & Bertha Ruiz, Rita & Barry Lewis

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History