The U.S. Embassy expresses its deep condolences to the family of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Ruel Garcia. He was a dedicated pilot who tragically was killed while on duty with the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, in Taji, Iraq.
Chief Garcia will receive posthumously the Bronze Star, which is the fourth highest U.S. military award for gallantry in action, as well as the Purple Heart medal and the Air Medal, which is awarded to pilots who have distinguished themselves in aerial flight.
As these medals demonstrate, his bravery in the field, professional aviation skills, and devotion to his adopted country will always be remembered. Chief Garcia made the ultimate sacrifice so that his fellow man can live in peace and freedom.
The U.S. Government will provide full military burial honors to Chief Garcia in his family’s hometown of Valenzuela, Luzon. U.S. Brigadier General Richard W. Mills, who is Commanding General, Special Operations Command, Korea (SOCKOR), and a Funeral Honor Guard from the 8th Army Korea will be present at the services to honor Chief Garcia and his next of kin, along with U.S. Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Douglas Bellard.
Chief Garcia was born in the Philippines on August 24, 1971. He moved to the United States in 1987 and later joined the U.S. Air Force and then the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot.
He is survived by his wife, Apple, of Harker Heights, Texas; his parents, Resendo and Cynthia Garcia, who reside near Manila; his brother Ramisis, also in the Philippines; his sister, Eden; and his grandfather and step-grandmother, Nick and Gloria Garcia, of Waipahu, Hawaii. (Press Release)
No comments:
Post a Comment