Ricardo Cerros Jr.

Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr., age 24, of Salinas, California, died on October 8, 2011, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. 

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Ricardo was born at Fort Ord, and graduated from Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas and UC Irvine. He enlisted in the Army in July 2010, completed one-station unit infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduated from the basic airborne course for paratroopers, and joined the 75th Ranger Regiment in March after completing Ranger selection and training.

Saint Anthony of Padua,
pray for Ricardo

Ricardo was on his first deployment to Afghanistan.  Military officials describe Ricardo as incredibly talented and a well respected member of this battalion and stated that they were blessed to have him in their ranks.

Ricardo is survived by his father Ricardo Cerros Sr. and stepmother Deborah A. Cerros of Salinas, and his mother Maqueirte D. Cuevas of Gary, Ind.; a brother, Nicholas Cerros; a sister, Theresa Cerros, and a stepbrother, Marko Cerros, all of Salinas.

He earned the Army's parachutist badge, expert rifle marksmanship badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Purple Heart, as well as campaign medals for service in Afghanistan, the Army said. Additional posthumous awards are pending.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Ricardo Cerros Jr. is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.