California’s War Dead

    Ricardo Barraza

    Ricardo Barraza, 24

    Army, Staff Sergeant
    Ramadi, Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: Shafter
    I am proud of my son; he will always be my hero.
    — Nina Barraza, mother

    After six tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Barraza had been scheduled to return home to marry his fiancee. Their wedding would have taken place just weeks after he was killed. About 700 people attended his funeral Mass.
    Times obituary
    « Joseph J. Duenas, 03/30/2006
    Dale G. Brehm, 03/18/2006 »
     Permalink  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Twitter

    Five memories of Ricardo Barraza

    A true patriot, a funny dude and damn good Ranger...We all strived to follow his lead...

    Rangers Lead The Way!

    — Henry Garcia
    August 18, 2008 at 4:51 p.m.
    Permalink

    I served with Ricardo until October 2002. You couldn't find a better soldier or friend. Ricardo left this world doing what he loved to do. RLTW Ricky!!!

    — Jason Richerson
    September 7, 2008 at 2:15 a.m.
    Permalink

    I Admire People Like Him Because They Sacrifice All To Serve And Protect Their Country For That I'm Thankful And I Hope To Become A RANGER One Day Soon.

    — Future Army Ranger
    December 3, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.
    Permalink

    This day is for you 2nd bat. brother. Words don't do it man. Your actions say everything. Thank you. RLTW

    — Gavin Grayson
    May 31, 2010 at 5:33 p.m.
    Permalink

    It was one of the greatest honors of my life to serve with Barraza.

    RIP Ranger Blue Skies.

    Rangers Lead The Way!

    — Lee
    April 22, 2011 at 10:36 a.m.
    Permalink

    Share a memory of Ricardo

    :
      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.