May 3
2004


Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, USMC

Associated Press -- PITTSBURGH — A 38-year-old Marine from western Pennsylvania who volunteered to go to Iraq was killed Monday in the Al Anbar province, where the turbulent cities of Ramadi and Fallujah are located, according to defense officials and his family. Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, 38, of Hollidaysburg, was a member of the 2nd Intelligence Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Defense officials did not release further information. His brother Jodi Baum, 28, of Altoona, said defense officials told the family that Baum was in the turret of a Humvee when it was hit by a rocket. Two other Marines in the vehicle survived, Jodi Baum said. "Ronnie was just so incredible. He volunteered to go to Iraq. He said it would be an opportunity to fulfill his mission and he did it. If there was any way to go, this was the way he would have wanted it," his brother said. Ronald Baum and another brother, Marine Staff Sgt. Brian Baum, 37, both joined the Marines in 1986, Jodi Baum said. Ronald Baum took the Marines more seriously. According to Navy and Marines Web sites, Baum took part in the evacuation of 172 people in Eritrea during a border dispute with Ethiopia in 1998. He was also an instructor at the Naval Survival School in Rangeley, Maine, where he taught soldiers to survive in hostile environments and evade capture. Ronald and Brian Baum were stationed in Iraq, according to Jodi Baum. Ronald Baum was an avid sports fan and would often call his brothers while watching Pittsburgh sports teams and Penn State football games. He is survived by his wife, Cindi Baum, 29, and three children, ages 3, 7 and 10.

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The Associated Press -- May 18 -- ALTOONA, Pennsylvania. — A 38-year-old Marine from western Pennsylvania was remembered as fearless and dedicated up until his last minute, when he was hit by a mortar trying to save six other soldiers and another Marine. Hundreds of people crowded into a church in Altoona to honor Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, who was killed May 3 in an attack in the Al Anbar province, where the turbulent cities of Ramadi and Fallujah are located. He was buried Tuesday in Blue Knob, not far away from his Hollidaysburg home, about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. "He gave his life for love of his country, the Marine Corps," said his wife, Cynthia Baum. "If Ron could speak to us today, he would say, 'I am proud to be a husband, father, brother, friend, but above all, proud to be a Marine.'" Baum, a member of the 2nd Intelligence Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, was posthumously honored with the Navy Marine Corps Commendation for his actions during the attack. Defense officials said Baum and seven other soldiers came under mortar and machine gun fire. Baum replaced another solider atop a Humvee and was killed when it was hit by a mortar. "He was tough as nails, disciplined, compassionate," said Baum's company commander Capt. Michael DuBruel. "He helped make the world a batter place. Ron lived life to the fullest. He died while leading men in battle." Ronald Baum and another brother, Marine Staff Sgt. Brian Baum, 37, both joined the Marines in 1986, his family said. Ronald Baum took the Marines more seriously. "It is our sacred duty to defend this country and what we believe in, and my brother did that," said Brian Baum, who was also in Iraq but given leave for the funeral. "All I have to say, if you didn't know him, you didn't talk to him, he is the greatest person I've ever known in my life, the best man I've ever seen in my life." According to Navy and Marines Web sites, Baum took part in the evacuation of 172 people in Eritrea during a border dispute with Ethiopia in 1998. He was also an instructor at the Naval Survival School in Rangeley, Maine, where he taught soldiers to survive in hostile environments and evade capture. He is survived by his wife; two sons, ages 10 and 4; and a 7-year-old daughter.

Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage, USMC

The Department of Defense announced on May 6 the death a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage, 20, of Brevard, Fla., was found deceased on May 6 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. (He had gone missing on May 3). Cause of death is under investigation. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green, USMC

The Department of Defense announced on May 7 the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green, 20, of Dallas, Texas, was found deceased on May 5 in the Euphrates River, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. (He had gone missing on May 3). Cause of death is under investigation. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Company memorializes two fallen Marines

1st Marine Division -- CAMP SNAKE PIT, Iraq --May 11, 2004 -- The crack of rifles was startling. Inside this small outpost for Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, the volley of fire was rattling even for these battle-hardened Marines.

Three times, the seven rifles fired. It was a final salute for Cpl. Dustin H. Schrage and Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green. The two were honored in a memorial service here May 11.

The corporals, both 19, went missing May 3 while crossing the Euphrates River during a combat patrol. Three days later, their bodies were found not far from the spot where they were believed to have vanished.

"We are reminded that we continue to stand watch in a place that is dangerous," said Navy Lt. Brian P. Weigelt, the battalion's chaplain. "With the news of two missing Marines, our hearts sank.

"You searched tirelessly," Weigelt said to the company of Marines gathered for the service. "All were committed to finding your missing brothers and you did not stop until you found them."

Both Marines were members of Company F's 1st Platoon. Green was born June 20, 1983 and Schrage just months later on Sept. 20, 1983. They both joined the Marine Corps in June 2001. Green was from Irving, Texas. Schrage was from Indian Harbor Beach, Fla. Both were graduates of the Scout Swimmers Course.

"They were two men from different backgrounds united by a common responsibility," said Lt. Col. Paul J. Kennedy, battalion commander. "They shared a desire to excel and seek greater responsibility. They stood in front of their company. They never flinched from their mission. These two men were made of the iron the Marine Corps enjoys."

Staff Sgt. Kevin H. Shelton, platoon sergeant for both Marines, recalled the character of both Marines. He described Green as a Marine who loved to wear the latest field gear. He said Green confiscated a cigarette lighter from and Iraqi man at a checkpoint that was fashioned to look exactly like a Beretta pistol.

"He actually took a lighter with him when he went out to look more intimidating," Shelton said. "I know right now they're looking down upon us, probably busting my chops. They loved to do that."

2nd Lt. Matthew W. Brooks said the Marines were always joking and were often seen sharing a smoke or a few quiet words with their fellow Marines at all hours of the day.

"I don't have the words to tell you how much these two mean to me or this platoon," Brooks said.

Pfc. Brandon A. Winneshiek, a member of 1st Platoon, told the gathering that the two corporals were more than leaders.

"Before I joined the Marine Corps, my uncle told me I'd meet my best friends in the Marine Corps," Winneshiek said. "That's what Dustin and Jeff were to me."

The ceremony was stoic and, at times, heart-rending. The Marines stood ramrod straight as the company first sergeant called out roll for the Marines. Both Schrage's and Green's names were called three times with no reply.

The cracks of the rifle volleys followed.

"This has sobered us to the reality of this war," Kennedy said. "The reality is there are bad men out there who seek to deny freedoms we take for granted. We will continue on this mission.

"Their sacrifice is not in vain," he continued. "Let us honor their sacrifice and rededicate ourselves in our mission."

Schrage is survived by his parents, Preston and Nina Schrage. Green is also survived by his parents, Richard and Wendy Green.


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