SGT Lorenzo M. Ruiz

3 October 1993, Somalia

Rangers

Sergeant Lorenzo M. Ruiz of El Paso, Texas, died on 3 October 1993 while supporting Operation CONTINUE HOPE in Somalia.

Ruiz enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman in 1991. He graduated Infantry One Station Unit Training on the “fast track” program, after which he attended Airborne school and the Ranger Indoctrination Program. He was then assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Benning, Georgia, and went on to attend several additional schools, including the Ranger Course and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course. He also earned the Expert Infantryman Badge.

SGT Ruiz deployed with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment to Somalia in August 1993 as part of Task Force Ranger. He was serving as a Team Leader during the Battle of Mogadishu when he was mortally wounded by small arms fire.