Ruel M. Garcia
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Age: 34
From: Wahiawa, Hawaii
Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment (Attack), Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas
Incident: Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ruel M. Garcia was killed Jan. 16 when his AH64D Apache helicoptor was shot down while he was conducting an aerial patrol in Baghdad. Also
Died: January 16, 2006
Army pilot killed in Iraq buried in native Philippines
By Pat Roque
Associated Press
VALENZUELA, Philippines — A Philippine-born Army pilot whose helicopter was shot down in Iraq was buried in his native town Tuesday with full U.S. military honors.
Chief Warrant Officer Ruel Garcia, 34, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, was killed Jan. 16 while assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.
He received posthumously the Bronze Star, the fourth highest U.S. military award for gallantry in action, as well as the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
“As these medals demonstrate, his bravery in the field, professional aviation skills, and devotion to his adopted country will always be remembered,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement, as the Army provided full military burial honors in suburban Valenzuela city, next to his hometown of Obando.
“Chief Garcia made the ultimate sacrifice so that his fellow men...
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Prayers & Messages
Please keep Your Shining Light over his family and loved ones.
He has proudly served his country.
Now, he proudly serves with angel's wings.
My sincere heartfelt condolences to Ruel's family.
May God give you peace in your heart and strength to carry on.