Photo By Cpl. Daniel Blatter | Marines with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat...... read more read more
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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marines from 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, paused at Firebase Fiddler’s Green, to honor Sgt. Ronald A. Rodriguez. Rodriguez was killed in action, Aug. 23. He was 26 years old.
Rodriguez was assigned to India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2.
“Our corps and our country have lost an outstanding young man,” said Lt. Col. Adolfo Garcia, the commanding officer for 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. “Sergeant Rodriguez knew the first-hand dangers of combat. He volunteered and worked hard so he could deploy and contribute to the battalion’s mission, and he will never be forgotten.”
Rodriguez attended J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, Va., where he was active in soccer and basketball. He began his Marine Corps career, Aug. 19, 2002.
He successfully completed his military occupational specialty school and became a field artillery cannon crewman.
Rodriguez was first assigned to 5th Bn., 11th Marines and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March, 2003, and then again in September of 2004.
On Sept. 1, 2009, Rodriguez was reassigned to 1/11 and in Aug, 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Sergeant Rodriguez had a way of making the best out of every situation,” said Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, the guard chief for Fiddler’s Green. “He could always be counted on to help you when you needed him. No matter what, he was always by your side through the thick of it.
“He could have stayed at home at Camp Pendleton,” Sanders added, “but that was not Rodriguez. He would not be left behind. He lived a selfless life, by always putting others before himself and he will be greatly missed.”
The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible verses and prayers honoring Rodriguez.
Final roll was called and three times, Sergeant Ronald A. Rodriguez’ name was called, only to be answered by silence. “Taps” followed in a final farewell.
“At a time like this, no eloquence of words can describe our loss, and no amounts of sadness or emotion can adequately express our sorrow,” Garcia said. “We can only sadly, yet proudly, say that we have had the opportunity to know, to have worked with, and to have served with this fine Marine.”
Rodriguez’ awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Rodriguez is survived by his parents, Francisco and Maria and his son, Diego.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2010 01:44 |
| Story ID: | 55498 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,057 |
| Downloads: | 8 |
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