From French Foreign Legionnaire to OSS saboteur to Hollywood actor, American Marine Colonel Peter Ortiz’s life was one of courage and cinematic scope!
In 1944, Ortiz parachuted into France on two top-secret inter-Allied missions. Operating deep behind enemy lines, he traveled throughout Southeastern France arming and training the Maquis, blowing up Nazi infrastructure, and aiding downed Allied airmen. Rotating covers—including as a fashion designer and minor Vichy government official—he infiltrated Nazi gatherings and funneled intelligence about German positions back to OSS London ahead of D-Day. By the time he escaped across the Pyrenees, he was among the Gestapo’s most wanted.
Join us this evening to discover more about this extraordinary man---the most battle-decorated member of America’s WWII spy agency, the OSS. SPY historian Mark Jacobson will interview Nicholas Reynolds and Katie S. Sanders about their new book Ortiz’s War: The Allies’ Secret Weapon against the Nazis in France. The authors are uniquely suited to tell this remarkable story: Reynolds is a historian, best-selling author, and retired Marine colonel and CIA officer; Sanders is an award-winning journalist whose grandfather was rescued by Ortiz when his B-24 was shot down over Nazi-occupied France.
Ortiz’s War will be available for sale and signing after the conversation.
The in-person event will have open seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Assistive listening devices will be available for the in-person program.
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