Villatoro, Ramon Aristides Jr
Male
Verified U.S. Army Private First Class Ramon Aristides Villatoro Jr., 19, of Bakersfield, California, was killed in hostile action in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 24, 2005.
Their Story
Ramon Aristides Villatoro Jr. was a 19-year-old soldier from Bakersfield, California. He served as a Private First Class with Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, a unit based at Fort Carson, Colorado, and deployed to Iraq as part of Task Force Baghdad.
On July 24, 2005, Villatoro was killed in Baghdad. According to the Department of Defense, he died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. He was one of two soldiers from his regiment killed in the attack.
His death occurred during a period of intense violence in the Iraq War. The years 2005 to 2007 saw the highest annual U.S. casualty rates of the conflict, marked by widespread insurgent activity and the use of improvised explosive devices against coalition forces.
Following his death, Villatoro was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His remains were returned to California, where he was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield. Local news reported on his funeral and the community's mourning.
Villatoro is remembered on memorials in his hometown and is listed on the Iraq War Memorial at the Kern Veterans Memorial in Bakersfield. His name appears on Panel 02A, Row 013 of the Iraq War Memorial at the National Museum of the United States Army.
Explore Further
PFC Villatoro was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010). The conflict concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Kennedy, Brian Matthew, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Gutierrez, Jose, Waters-bey, Kendall Damon.
