Ramona M. Valdez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramona M. Valdez
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Valdez in 2002
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| Born | June 26, 1984 Dominican Republic |
| Died | June 23, 2005 (aged 20) Fallujah, Iraq |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2002–2005 |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Unit | Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards |  Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Armando Guzman (husband) |
| Relations | Elida Nuñez (mother) Louis Valdez (father) Estefani Valdez (sister) Fiorela Valdez (sister) |
Ramona M. Valdez (born June 26, 1984 – died June 23, 2005) was a U.S. Marine who was born in the Dominican Republic. She bravely served her country and was killed during the Iraq War. After her death, the U.S. Marine Corps honored her by naming a training center after her. This center, called the Valdez Training Facility, is part of the II MEF Communications Training Center.
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Early Life and Education
Ramona Valdez's mother, Elida Nuñez, moved from the Dominican Republic to New York City. She raised Ramona and her sister, Fiorela Valdez, in the Bronx. Both sisters went to school there. Ramona started working at a young age to help her family. When she was just 14, she sold snacks at the Statue of Liberty.
Valdez finished high school at Jane Addams High School when she was 15. She went to a community college for a while. However, she decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps to help her family financially. At 17, she convinced her mother to sign the papers for her to join.
Marine Corps Career
Ramona Valdez received her basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. After finishing her training, she went to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. There, she became a communications specialist. This means she was an expert in setting up and using radio systems.
At Camp Lejeune, she met Corporal Armando Guzman. They got married in 2003. Valdez was part of a special group called the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Working Group. This group worked to find and stop hidden bombs. Her knowledge of radios helped this group a lot.
Service in the Iraq War
Valdez was sent to Iraq to serve with the Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. This was part of a mission called Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ramona wanted her mother to move to Reading, Pennsylvania, from the Bronx. She thought Reading would be a quieter and safer place. She even planned to become a highway patrol officer in Pennsylvania after leaving the Marines.
On June 23, 2005, Valdez was working with the Female Search Force. Her job was to help guard checkpoints and search Iraqi women and children. She was killed that day, just three days before her 21st birthday.
Ramona Valdez was buried with full military honors. She is remembered by her husband, Armando Guzman, her mother, Elida Nuñez, her father, Ramon Valdez, her younger sisters, Fiorela Valdez, Estefani Valdez, and Chavely Valdez, and her two nephews, Justin and Joshua.
Lasting Legacy
On June 1, 2007, the U.S. Marine Corps honored Ramona Valdez. They named the II MEF Communications Training Center the Valdez Training Facility. A special ceremony was held to dedicate the building. Inside the building, there is a plaque with Valdez's name on it. During the ceremony, Colonel John A. Del Colliano spoke about her. He said she was a brave Marine who made a big difference.
Gallery
- Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, USMC
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A photograph of Valdez at a memorial service in June 2005.
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U.S. Marines observe a moment of silence at a memorial service to Valdez in June 2005.
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Elida Nunez examines a memorial plaque to her daughter in June 2007.
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A memorial plaque to Valdez in June 2007.
Awards and Decorations
Ramona Valdez received several important awards for her service:
- Purple Heart: This award is given to military members who are wounded or killed in action.
- National Defense Service Medal: This medal is for serving during a time of war or national emergency.
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal: This award recognizes service in the global fight against terrorism.
- Iraq Campaign Medal: This medal is given for serving in Iraq during the war.
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See also
- Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
