Soldiers' Angels Mourns Spc. Ryan D. Russell

From Renee of the Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team:

We have a fallen Hero from Soldiers' Angels, Specialist Ryan D. Russell.

Spc. Russell, 20, of Elm City, NC, died Mar. 5 in Baqubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Ryan is survived by his mother, Kathy Moore.

Renee

Pvt. Barry W. Mayo and Sgt. Blake Harris were killed in the same attack.

A family friend of Russell said that he had hopes that the U.S. actions in Iraq would improve the lives of the country's children.

Russell was among soldiers from the company that asked Give2TheTroops for school supplies, children's shoes and socks, toys and soccer balls to give to the children.

He was serving his first tour in Iraq and recently re-enlisted for another five years.

Russell, a medic, was aiding soldiers whose Humvee had been hit by a spring-loaded improvised explosive device when a second device went off, according to family friend Barbara Whitehead.

"Ryan was rushing to help his soldiers," Whitehead said, fighting back emotion. "As a mother, your heart just breaks whenever you hear this."

"Ryan was proud to do this job," she continued. "He made an impact on this world forever."

Please take a moment to read the Army Spc. Ryan D. Russell tribute at the Soldiers' Angels Fallen Heroes blog.

The Patriot Guard Riders are riding for Spc. Russell.


Remember our Heroes.