Army National Guard Specialist Eric U. Ramirez - Wisconsin Military Casualty Compilation - Afganistan/Iraq

20 September 2011

Army National Guard Specialist Eric U. Ramirez - Wisconsin Military Casualty Compilation - Afganistan/Iraq

This entry was posted on 9/20/2011 1:30 AM and is filed under Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation.

Army National Guard Specialist Eric Ulysses Ramirez, 31, San Diego, California (family connections in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin), was killed on Thursday, February 12, 2004, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. Abu Ghraib is about 30 miles west of Baghdad. Ramirez was on patrol when attacked by small arms fire, a rocket propelled grenade, and an improvised explosive device (roadside bomb). Specialist Ramirez was assigned to the 670th Military Police Company, California Army National Guard, out of National City, California. 

The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Web site indicates Ramirez's wife Tracey has resided in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin.

The Orlando Sentinel notes Eric Ramirez was married in August 2001. Ramirez's father is a paster and schoolteacher in Mascotte, Florida, and officiated at the wedding. Ramirez had a daughter and an infant son at the time of his death. The Orlando Sentinel article went on to say Ramirez had been living in southern California since he ended his active-duty Navy service in the 1990s. He was working as a deputy sheriff in San Diego County when recalled to active duty in early 2003. The Sentinel also mentioned Eric Ramirez was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in November of 1972. His family moved to Orlando, Florida in 1973 and then to Sorrento, Florida, in 1977. Both Ramirez's parents have worked for the Lake County, Florida, school system for around 25 years. Eric Ramirez graduated from Mount Dora High School, Mount Dora, Florida, in 1991. Ramirez's wife Tracy's hometown is Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. The Web site policelink.monster.com notes Ramirez's wife was also a veteran of the Navy. 

The Los Angles Times notes Eric played soccer, baseball and football in school. After graduating he joined the Navy and was stationed in Texas; Europe; and, San Diego. After leaving the Navy, Ramirez enlisted in the California Army National Guard, and went to work for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. He met his future wife in San Diego. Ramirez had only a couple months left in his National Guard obligation. 

At the time of his death Army National Guard Specialist Eric Ramirez was survived by his wife Tracey Benson Ramirez; daughter Isis; son Chase Eric Charles; parents Felix and Maria Ramirez; brother Adel; sister Xochil Elmore; and, maternal grandparents, Juan and Juana Gutierrez. Specialist Ramires was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. 

Information for this short biography about Army National Guard Specialist Eric Ulysses Ramirez was pieced together from the following sources: orlandosentinel.com, "Army Sgt. Eric U. Ramirez," February 15, 2004; Los Angles Times, articles.latimes.com, Obituaries | MILITARY DEATHS, "Army National Guard Spc. Eric U. Ramirez, 31; Killed by Gunfire, Bomb," February 29, 2004; Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs "Fallen Heroes Page"; and, CNN.com "War Casualties Page." 

Note: This "Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation" Daily Dadio blog Category is under construction. Go to the Cooldadiomedia Web site and the Wisconsin War Casualties Page for a list of names noted by date of death.  ( If readers know of other military service persons with Wisconsin connections that are not on the Web site comprehensive list of fatal casualties, or notice errors, please email Bob Keith at keithrg13@cooldadiomedia.com ).