Freedom Remembered

Born Jan. 6, 1982 in Julian, CA  

Died Aug. 2, 2009 in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan

Capt. Ronald G. Luce Jr., of Fayetteville, N.C. He was a 2000 graduate of Ramona High School, and had enrolled in ROTC at Valley Forge Military Academy, becoming a commissioned officer in 2002. He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee in 2005 with earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology and a minor in chemistry. He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating May 2008 as an 18A, team commander and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A) as a liaison officer. He was reassigned to Co. C, 2nd Bn., 20th SFG(A) as a detachment commander. He also attended the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Ranger School and Airborne School. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, and Ranger and Special Forces Tabs. Deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2009, he died while conducting combat operations in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan while serving as the Special Forces Team Commander with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.