Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Army Ranger battalion lost its second soldier in a two-week stretch Saturday when insurgents killed a 24-year-old serving on his first deployment.
Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr. of Salinas, Calif., was mortally wounded as he attacked a group of insurgents “barricaded in a compound” in eastern Afghanistan’s Logar Province, according to the U.S. Special Operations Command.
His commanders in the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment called him a bright and talented young man. Cerros joined the Army in July 2010 after he graduated from the University of California, Irvine.
Cerros “could have been anything he wanted in life,” said Col. Mark W. Odom, the regiment’s commander. “Yet, he decided to become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and do our nation’s bidding. We were blessed to have him in our ranks.”
Cerros joined the 2nd Battalion at Lewis-McChord in March. The battalion moved out to Afghanistan in June.
“Cerros was incredibly talented and a well-respected member of this battalion,” 2nd Battalion commander Lt. Col. David Hodne said. “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.”
Cerros is survived by his mother, Maqueirte Cuevas of Gary, Ind.; his father, Ricardo Cerros Sr.; and his stepmother, Deborah Cerros of Salinas.
Cerros served in the 2nd Battalion’s B Company. On Sept. 24, that company lost Sgt. Tyler Holtz of Dana Point, Calif., in an attack against insurgents in eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak Province.
Cerros is the seventh soldier from Lewis-McChord to die in Afghanistan this year. Five of them served in Special Operations units such as the Rangers.
Adam Ashton: 253-597-8646 adam.ashton@ thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/military
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