Army Capt. Ronald G. Luce, Jr.

Remember Our Heroes

Army Capt. Ronald G. Luce, Jr., 27, of Fayetteville, N.C.

Capt. Luce was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Mississippi Army National Guard, Jackson, Miss.; died Aug. 2, 2009 in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Granado and Sgt. 1st Class Severin W. Summers III.

USASOC -- Captain Ronald G. Luce died while conducting combat operations in the Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan August 2 while serving as the Special Forces Team Commander with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered in Jackson, Miss.

Luce, 27, was killed when a command wire improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Luce, born in Julian, California, enrolled in ROTC at Valley Forge Military Academy and became a commissioned officer in 2002. In 2005 attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating May 2008 as an 18A, team commander and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A) as a liaison officer. He was reassigned to Co. C, 2nd Bn., 20th SFG(A) as a detachment commander.

Luce’s military and civilian educations include a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. He also attended the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Ranger School and Airborne School.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Luce also earned the Parachutist Badge, and Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.

Luce is survived by his wife Kendahl and daughter Carrie of Fayetteville, N.C.

Army Capt. Ronald G. Luce, Jr. was killed in action on 8/02/09.