America changed rapidly once it entered the second world war. In 1941 fewer than 4,000 African Americans were serving in the military and only 12 African Americans had become officers. These numbers grew dramatically in the years that followed.
While he was a junior at Dillard, Ortique entered the Army. Dissatisfied with his stateside posting at Ft. Meade, Sgt. Ortique applied for Officer Candidate School. He was the only African American in a graduating class of 800. Commissioned as a second lieutenant (2nd Lt.) in 1945 he was sent to the Philippines, where he served as a company commander. He credited the army with giving him his leadership skills. "I am sure that I learned leadership as an officer in the United States Army," he said.
