Born on January 3, 1925 in Gobernador, New Mexico, Valdez joined the United States Army through a recruiting station in Pleasant Grove, Utah in 1944. After completing basic training, Valdez joined the 3rd Infantry Division. In January, 1945, Valdez was on outpost duty with 5 other men in Houssen near Rosenkranz, where he observed an enemy tank and three enemy infantrymen steathily approaching from the woods 500 yards away. Deterring the tank and killing the 3 infantrymen, Valdez went on to provide cover fire for a maneuvering patrol returning to American lines. In doing so, Valdez was shot and severely wounded. Fighting the pain, Valdez continued to repel over 200 enemy by calling for indirect fires on the enemy position. Once his fellow soldiers were safe, Valdez dragged himself back to American lines. He later died from his wounds.