California’s War Dead

    Luis G. Ayala

    Luis G. Ayala, 21

    Army, Specialist
    Taji, Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: South Gate
    When the recruiters went to speak to him, they showed him videos of all they were going to give him. This was fantasy. They're so young that they're easily convinced.
    — Livier Ayala, mother

    Ayala wrote to an immigration judge to say it was unfair that he should be fighting for the United States while the government denied his mother, a Mexican immigrant, legal residency. The judge agreed.
    Times obituary
    « Lawrance J. Carter, 12/29/2006
    Michael J. Crutchfield, 12/23/2006 »
     Permalink  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Twitter

    23 memories of Luis G. Ayala

    Luis, you were only carrying on a fine American Tradition,
    During the American Civil War, men from many European Nations marched from the docks, were put into Union Army Uniform and taken off to fight, many had no military training and died soon after.
    If you are willing to fight and die for the USA, you and your family deserve all the benefits granted to home born Americans, many of whom were refuges from the slums of Europe.

    Although not an American citizen myself, I was a soldier,with over 21 years service to my country (Republic of Ireland).

    I salute your and your comrades sacrifice.

    Rest In Peace Brother, Your Duty is Proudly Done.

    — Kevin A. Ryan
    May 27, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.
    Permalink

    my name is sayed idrees hashimi a muslim and an Afgha citizen, i am really feeling sad about Luis, God bless him there and may keep him happy , and hope God forgive him , and keep his soul happy ,
    And God may keep his family and give his family hard patient ,
    Thanks
    idrees17afg@yahoo.com
    0093 77 20 35 370

    — Sayed Idrees Hashimi
    July 26, 2008 at 4:08 a.m.
    Permalink

    I worked in South Gate and his face seems so familiar to me. May God bless him and his family. And i agree with Kevin, i think any family should be granted full benefits in the USA when they are not citizens or legal in this country after having one of their family members serve and die for our nation.

    — Jackie, South L.A.
    August 2, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
    Permalink

    United States Army Specialist

    Hometown: South Gate
    High School: South Gate High 2002

    May God Bless your family.

    — Ivan Barba
    August 18, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.
    Permalink

    me and Luis Came up in the Army together serving our first tour in Iraq together. I was there when he met his wife and when Luis and I went our seperate ways after he was stationed in Texas. Sure enough i ended up bein attached to his unit in Iraq in 2006. He was so proud to show me pics of his little boy Miguel. Not to long after i reunited with Luis he was taken from us. He really is a great American, father and husband! I miss you brother. ill meet up with you again

    — SSG Ruben Ortiz
    August 21, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.
    Permalink

    Me and luis go way back, I was only 13 when luis was 15 me and him always use to go out and play basketball. IT WAS THERE WHERE WE WERE COOL AND I ALWAYS SAW HIM AS MY BIG BROTHER, DAM LUIS I CANT TYPE BRO I MISS U R.I.P ILL SEE U AGAIN, U WILL ALWAYS BE MY BROTHER

    — gordo
    August 28, 2008 at 10:11 p.m.
    Permalink

    I'm a south gate alumi 1992... just have to give my respect to Luis don't know him but im honor with he's courage and strenght to fight this war... may god bless you and your family...

    — tony feist
    September 18, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
    Permalink

    I'm a south gate high graduate of 1990. Even though I did not know this young man, I still feel a loss not only because he's from my hometown but because I to serve in the U.S. military. We servicemembers are bound to a brotherhood from day one of military service that lasts a lifetime. You will be missed brother.

    — Jose Valdivia
    September 24, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
    Permalink

    My respects to the Ayala Family!! I am a friend of Luis since high school days!! U are truly missed!!! See u at the crossroads homie!! R.I.P. LUIS!!! SOUTH GATE 2003!!!

    — MEMO
    November 3, 2008 at 5:15 p.m.
    Permalink

    ey homie u know who it is wats up its been a minute and i think about you once in a while. last thing i remember is when i fed ur dog a milkshke in germany and chillin and gettin on kp in the field u memeber memeber? rip homie ur not fogotten!

    — dannny b
    November 13, 2008 at 2:28 a.m.
    Permalink

    REST IS PARADISE BIG LOU!!!!!!

    TO ALL WHO READ THIS...

    I WAS RAISED IN SOUTH GATE.. I DON'T KNOW LUIS PERSONALLY BUT I KNOW MANY PEOPLE LIKE HIM. THIS IS A VERY SAD AND TOUCHING STORY... I AM SO SADDENED TO LEARN OF ALL THE WAR DEAD... BUT WHEN IT HITS HOME... IT CUTS A BIT DIFFERENTLY...
    GODCHILE AYALA, GAVE THE ULTIMATE PRICE, HIS LIFE HERE ON EARTH.. WAS IT HIS PURPOSE TO DIE SO VAINLY? YOU MAY SAY IT WAS HIS PURPOSE BECAUSE HIS PHYSICAL BODY IS NOT HERE WITH US. BUT, HIS SOUL HIS.

    THE POEPLE HE DIED FOR EAT AND LIVE VERY WELL, BUT NOT THE FAMILY OF LUIS AYALA...

    MY LOVE AND PEACE GO OUT TO THE AYALA FAMILY..

    SENORA, LO SIENTO MUCHO....MI CORAZON DULE....

    USTD TIENE MUCHA RAZON... ESTO ES UN EJEMPLO QUE ESATN APROVECHANDO DE NUESTRA JENTE...

    PAZ AMOR Y VIDA....

    QUE REGRESAN NUESTROS HERMANOS, HERMANAS, HIJOS Y HIJAS.

    "NO QUIERO MORIR POR MI PAIS, QUIERO VIVIR!!!!!

    — Erik
    October 10, 2009 at 3:28 p.m.
    Permalink

    Luis,
    So sorry to hear of your passing, I have kids your age, and I can't even start to imagin, the pain. I pray to our Lord Jesus your son will be okay, and I know you'll be watching out for him. From heaven. Now our stupid president, is sending 30,000 more troops over to fight, It's the stupidest thing that fool could ever do It is none of our business, what is going on in some other countries. I wish that FOOL OBAMA would have a son and send his son over there to get killed see how he likes the feeling of losing a son, father, and husband. God bless your son and mother, and wife. And God bless you too. I didn't know you Luis, but Your story really saddens me very much.
    With Love Josie....

    — josie
    December 2, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.
    Permalink

    As a Vet from the Middle East, I feel for the Ayala Family, I also lost 92 of my close friends, who you learn to live with and become brothers, as time goes on. Every day we lose one of our brothers my heart bleeds.We become one and learn to look out for each other.

    — Manny
    May 4, 2010 at 10:47 p.m.
    Permalink

    As a grad of SGHS Class of 85, and a former US Army Soldier 85-91, and a current LAPD Officer, it hurts to hear how much this young man, unlike many others who have died in service to our country, will be missed not only by his family but friends. Let his death and the death of other service members be a lesson to us all of the price of freedom. In my everyday experiences as a police officer, I have seen the disregard for humanity. GOD BLESS THE AYALA FAMILY.

    — Luis Carranza
    June 16, 2010 at 11:49 a.m.
    Permalink

    I remember you and Juan Carlos and my brother playing. I remember when you would come over my house and ask for Danny, you were the same age as my younger brother. I remember you riding your bike down the street. I remember my brother ask me on your behalf if you can borrow Saving Private Ryan and my other war time dvd collection over and over again. I visited your grave this July 4 2010. I can't believe it has been this long. Thank you, I will keep praying for your family.

    35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
    36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
    37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
    38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
    39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    The apostle Paul letter to the Romans 8:35-39

    — Wilber Cárcamo
    July 6, 2010 at 2:42 p.m.
    Permalink

    RETS IN HEAVEN_MY BELOVED BROTHER
    There hasnt been one day when we dont think about you..Just yesterday i picked a rose as i walked home.Placed it by your picture on my desk.I dont know why these tragedies happen,or if they will ever make any sense.But u havent been forgotten,and never will be.Your smile and beautiful memory will always have a spot in our minds and souls.Watch over us all_Fallen hero. rest in heaven.Forever in our hearts. LUIS G. AYALA*

    — SERGIO.ONE
    September 8, 2010 at 6:47 p.m.
    Permalink

    In loving memory of a true army hero! We live day by day thinking of all the good times we had. you might not be here in person but your memory will always stay in our hearts your never going to be forgotten family love is too strong to be forgotten we all miss you and love you REST IN PEACE!

    — W-LOKE
    November 12, 2010 at 10:13 p.m.
    Permalink

    Man I couldn't believe it when I saw RIP in your myspace page. I talked to you a couple weeks before you pass away. Now your in heaven chilling. Hope your familia is doing well. One day will meet again. RIP homie.

    MA3 Alvarez, Rafael USN

    — Rafael Alvarez
    November 18, 2010 at 9:30 p.m.
    Permalink

    Dearest Luis,
    I'm proud of you what you've done serving your country and give your life may the Almighty GOD bless you and your Family...
    See you in Paradise...

    Amazing Grace,
    Briccio O. Ferrer

    — Briccio O. Ferrer
    November 24, 2010 at 7:01 p.m.
    Permalink

    This is very sad... RIP luis.. soo sad for ur family..

    — dora
    December 13, 2010 at 2:32 p.m.
    Permalink

    I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many your memory never be forgotten. RIP

    — Kevin Gregory
    December 31, 2010 at 2:49 p.m.
    Permalink

    :) Luis I smile because I rembember that young happy boy in school.. I just found out about u resting in paradise about 5 month ago. Its sad very sad to know that my friend from San Miguel Elementary that i shared moments with is now gone :/ You were always active and love sports I can remember these days like if it was yesterday but im happy to know i take these memories with me Forever!! You are truly missed
    Luis and you will forever live in our hearts! <3

    — Lucia
    November 8, 2011 at 5:20 a.m.
    Permalink

    R.I.P buddy.. i will always treasure the great memories and the laughs we had. god bless.

    — Sal
    November 18, 2011 at 6:03 a.m.
    Permalink

    Share a memory of Luis

    :
      Required
    :
      Optional
    :
    Email addresses are not republished or used for marketing purposes.
    Search by: Age, Base, Branch, Cemetery, Date of Death, Country of Birth, Gender, High School, Hometown, Marital Status, Name, Number of Children, Theater of Operation, Place of Death
    About this project
    Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org
    Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?
    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 700 California servicemembers and 474 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Find a Profile

    Search a last name

    Select a name

    The complete list »

    Recent deaths

    See all »

    Recent comments

    See all comments »
    About the Data Desk

    This page was created by the Data Desk, a team of reporters and Web developers at The Times.

    More from The Times’ Data Desk
    Subscribe to The Los Angeles Times Enjoy more stories like this for only $1 a week. Click here to order The Times.