Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | The memorial for Staff Sgt. Eric Ross, Staff Sgt. Alan Shaw and Spc. Leeroy Camacho,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq (Feb.13, 2007) -- "Losing Staff Sgt. Ross, Staff Sgt. Shaw and Spc. Camacho is one of the hardest things any of us have ever had to deal with," said Capt. Paul Carlock, commander of Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, about the deaths of three of his soldiers.
"Leaning on each other and remembering that they died defending freedom is one of the only things that can bring us solace," said Carlock. "These three men are heroes. These three soldiers, warriors and friends are our heroes."
Ross, Shaw and Camacho died from wounds received in combat, Feb. 9. The memorial ceremony in their honor took place at Salie Gym, Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 13.
"From the start, I was impressed with his professionalism, his dedication to duty and his concern for the Soldiers in his squad and his platoon," Carlock said about Ross at the ceremony. "Staff Sgt. Ross was always easy to approach and his warm personality encouraged people to open up to him."
Ross was born on March 18, 1980, in Kenduskeag, Maine. He enlisted into the Army July 30, 2001 and joined the "First Team" as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle driver, Rifle Team Leader, Bradley Section Sergeant and Bradley Commander's gunner during OIF II. He redeployed with Co. B, 1-12 CAB, and was attached to Co. D, 1-12 CAB, as a Rifle Squad Leader. He is survived by his wife, Alison, his son, Trevor, and his daughter, Megan.
"Once we deployed to Iraq last time, I got to know [Ross] quite well and he's one of the funniest guys I ever met," said Sgt. James Green, Co. D, 1-12 CAB. "He was a dedicated father and husband, and the most loyal friend I ever had. He was always there to help when I was at the bottom."
"Eric was a great Soldier and an outstanding [non-commissioned officer]," he continued. "He taught me everything I need to know about the Bradley and how to be a good Soldier."
"Eric Ross was my best friend and I do feel that he was a brother to me," Green said. "He will be missed."
"Staff Sgt. Shaw was another confident professional," said Carlock. "Whether on his Bradley, or with his infantry squad on the ground, Staff Sgt. Shaw always led from the front."
"In January, when the company fought in Operation Turkey Bowl II, Staff Sgt. Shaw's leadership under fire was key to the success of the company and [5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division]," he added. "I was amazed at how thorough and confident Staff Sgt. Shaw was under the most extreme circumstances, and I knew he would always complete whatever mission I had assigned him."
Shaw was born Nov. 10, 1975, in Little Rock, Ark. He entered the Army as a corporal after three years of service in the Marine Corps, and was assigned to the 1st Cav., where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II as a Rifle Team Leader. He deployed again in support of OIF 06-08 as a member of Company B, 1-12 CAB. He was a BFV Commander attached to Co. D, 1-12 CAB. He is survived by his wife, Sherrell Anne, and his three step-children Davyn, Austin and Jourdan.
"He was always leading from the front and doing what was right on every mission," said Staff Sgt. Ron Heinz, Co. D, 1-12 CAB. "Words cannot describe what type of man he was. Staff Sgt. Shaw took any challenge given and accomplished it above what was expected as a friend, as an NCO and as a brother."
"He pushed himself to take care of his Soldiers at all times, especially out here," Heinz said.
"Staff Sgt. Shaw was a warrior I, and everyone in this room, will miss," he concluded.
"Spc. Camacho could be called the heart of this platoon," said Carlock. "Whether he was conducting a dismounted patrol or assaulting the objective from the Bradley, Camacho could always be found in the middle of the action."
"His positive attitude and initiative enabled him to lead and to take care of Soldiers," he continued. "As dedicated and hardcore as he was on the job, whenever he would talk about his family, you could see him soften up and you could tell how important his family and home was."
Camacho was born Jan. 15, 1979, in the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan. He enlisted into the Army May 7, 2004, and was assigned to the 1st Cav., where he deployed in support of OIF II as a rifleman. He redeployed with Co. B, 1-12 CAB, and was attached to Co. D, 1-12 CAB as a Rifle Team Leader. He is survived by his wife, Velma, and his three sons, Lee Roy, Layton and Leivin Joe.
"Leeroy Camacho was my best friend," said Spc. Juan Dejesus, Co. D, 1-12 CAB. "For being around him for a year, he became more than a best friend to me, he was my brother."
"He was the type of person who would do anything for anyone," Dejesus continued. "If he had a dollar in his pocket [and you needed it], he'd give it to you."
"Before we left, I asked him to be my daughter's godfather," he said. "He said 'yes,' and that [we] would go to Saipan and baptize my daughter."
"He was that person that you could always go and talk to about personal things," Dejesus said. "Anybody that needed help, he was always there."
"I miss you Camacho," he said.
As the ceremony came to an end, Soldiers paid their last respects to their fallen comrades by saluting the helmets, weapons and boots of the Soldiers.
"They are gone and taken from us, but they will never be forgotten," said Carlock. "I know I will carry the lessons I learned from each man with me wherever I go."
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2007 13:13 |
| Story ID: | 9153 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 532 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
This work, 'Grey Wolf' Honors Life, Sacrifice of Three Fallen Soldiers, by SPC Ryan Stroud, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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