THE STORY SO FAR: PART 221

US Army insignia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SOMETIMES WE LOSE THE VERY BEST OF OUR WARRIORS

A SALUTE TO SPECIALIST RICARDO CERROS JR. OF THE 75TH RANGER REGIMENT

Back in the Nineties, I had the honor of spending considerable time with various U.S. Army units as part of research for various books. It was, without question, one of the best times of my life. The weapons and technologies were fascinating, but what made it were the people—the soldiers.

They were ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep us safe. I found that a sobering thought. These people were prepared to die for us if necessary—and die they do—for us.  If you pause to think about it, such a sacrifice is breathtaking.

When I was in the Mojave Desert, watching a brigade of 3ID (Mechanized) maneuver their tanks, and my guide, BG Dale Nelson commented to me: “You have got to love soldiers,” I could not but agree.

Somehow, the Army—though far from a perfect institution (it is human after all, though generals will deny the fact) seems to be able to attract some particularly fine human beings and then to develop them to their fullest potential. In that context, I have always liked the old Army slogan: “Be all you can be.” It conveys the essential truth of the matter. It trains people to do the remarkable under any and all conditions with stoic good humor in a way the civilian world largely does not.

Specialist Ricardo Cerros Jr. made a point of living up to that slogan. His photograph is above, and well demonstrates the American soldier at his best—together with the humor and camaraderie which are two of the most attractive aspects of Army life.

Ricardo, a man with a phenomenal work ethic, was someone who pushed himself to the limit—and beyond. While at school, he served for four years in the Navy’s Junior ROTC, he excelled academically at UC Irvine and he gained a black belt in taekwondo. His friend, Mike Clark described him as “Just a ball of energy.”

After graduation in 2009, he joined the Army and eventually made his way to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment—one of the most storied units in the U.S. Army and extremely hard to get into. Beyond that, the operational tempo of the Rangers is quite extraordinary. Their talents are at a premium. Currently, they are much used on raids in Afghanistan—going after high value targets and generally keeping the enemy confused and on the defensive. Though relatively few in number, they excel at this extremely dangerous task, as at many others. They also jump out of perfectly good aircraft.

Ricardo was killed on October 8 2012 during a firefight in Afghanistan’s Logar province south of Kabul. He was 24. It was his first deployment.

“Spc. Ricardo Cerros was incredibly talented and a well respected member of this battalion,” said Lt. Col. David Hodne, Commander of 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment.  “He was a warrior who lost his life while fighting courageously alongside his fellow Rangers.  We will honor his service to our country and never forget his sacrifice.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cerros family.”

When I look at Ricardo’s photograph, I found it hard not to be moved by his humor and vitality, and be much saddened by his death. But, he was doing what he loved to do while wearing the uniform of an extraordinary regiment. It was a noble death, a righteous passing. He died with honor for his country and will long be remembered.

He and his family deserve both our thoughts and our thanks.

Cerros is survived by his father Ricardo Cerros Sr. and stepmother Deborah A. Cerros of Salinas, Calif. and his mother Maqueirte D. Cuevas of Gary, Ind.  He is also survived by his brother Nicholas Cerros, sister Theresa Cerros, and stepbrother Marko Cerros all of Salinas, Calif.

I wish I had met the man. I was asked to write this tribute by a friend, a fellow Ranger—and it is an honor to do so. Now he too is deploying shortly (after numerous previous deployments).

Keep safe, friend. Keep safe, guys.

You are America’s finest. I salute you all.

 

 

 

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 182

WARRIOR AND SON—STAFF SERGEANT SEAN KEOUGH. A SALUTE TO HIS MOTHER, MRS. KRIS KEOUGH

MY APOLOGIES FOR AN OMISSION

When I wrote about Staff Sergeant Sean Keough’s courage some time back—which resulted in his being awarded a Silver Star—I made a major omission. Sadly, his parents are now divorced, and I forgot to mention his mother. My mistake, and one I regret deeply.

The achievements of a son reflects well on both parents. I was reminded of this truth when his mother, Mrs. Kris Keough, wrote to me to thank me for honoring Sean (whom I have known since he was a difficult teenager). I guess the word “difficult” is redundant in such a contest. Let’s put it this way: He was showing character and promise in his own idiosyncratic way—and he certainly delivered.

I have scant idea how to compensate for my errors in judgment. Arguably, the best thing I can do is repeat his citation. If you think about what was involved, and over such an extended period, his conduct was, indeed, awesome.

Acts of courage are always praiseworthy, and should be admired, but courage over a prolonged period is in a league of its own.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Army Ranger of 2nd Battalion Receives the Silver Star

In a rare public appearance for a tightly-knit special operations unit, awards were presented to members of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers, home based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington.

One Ranger, Staff Sergeant Sean Keough, received the Silver Star for action against Taliban insurgents during a raid on an enemy compound last autumn.

Leading his squad, Keough saw one of his fellow Rangers shot and fall wounded, still under fire from the enemy. Keough placed himself between the fallen soldier and the enemy, returning fire in order to provide cover for other members of the unit who administered aid and retrieved their downed teammate.

Keough and another Ranger shot an insurgent who attacked them, but he received a gunshot wound to his arm. Despite his wound he remained in place, still delivering effective fire at the enemy while his squad radioed for a medevac.

The attacking force regrouped but Keough refused medical aid that would interfere with his mission, and directed and participated in attacking and overrunning the enemy compound eight hours later. He also received the Purple Heart for his wounds sustained in action against the enemy.

The award was presented by Lieutenant General John F Mulholland, commander of the US Army Special Operations Command. In addition to Keough, the battalion received two Valorous Unit Awards for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in summer 2005. Seven Rangers received the Bronze Star Medal (‘V’) for actions in combat, and five received the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in a non-combat role for rescuing two stranded climbers on Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska, in addition to 17 who received the Purple Heart, among other awards. During this latest deployment, four Rangers and an attached junior officer were killed in action, and many wounded, including 30 as a result of the explosion of an IED.

Since October 2001, the battalion has deployed 14 times and conducted over 2500 raids. It is preparing for its 15th deployment.

Posted by Nicholas Darkwater at 12:09 PM

The figures quoted in this citation are worthy of both consideration and admiration. They reflect an intensity of combat that is practically inconceivable. “14 deployments—2,500 raids?”

Consider the stress and violence of just one.

I am a professional writer, and I just do not have the words to pay adequate tribute to such ongoing courage. Let me salute the entire Keough family.