Cesar O. Baez, 37

Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class

Based: Camp Pendleton

Assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: June 15, 2005

Ramadi (near), Iraq

Married, 4 children

Gender: Male

Hometown: Pomona

High School: Garey Senior High (Pomona)

Baez's wife was pregnant with their fourth child, the first son, when he was killed.

Arnold Duplantier II, 06/22/2005

Dion M. Whitley, 06/15/2005

24 memories of Cesar O. Baez

“

When I first reported to duty at Camp Pendleton they warned me that you were a former Marine and wouldn't put up with any excuses from a Sailor like me. Whether or not I was a Hospital Corpsman, like you.

After finishing my first assignment, I was so exhausted I slunk back into my barracks room without telling anyone and slept for 30 glorious minutes. When you found out that I had neglected to report back to you immediately, you chewed me out so badly none of my peers would even sit with me. You made me work to earn back my respect.

That proved difficult since your skills as a medic rivaled the high-ranking officers who had formal training and medical degrees. I cursed you when you weren't around and I stared holes on the back of your neck. I vowed to surpass you. You never knew it, but I took your keys, snuck into the clinic at night and studied your medical notes to absorb your writing style: it was flawless, succinct, poignant and relevant to the diagnosis (which was always correct). Even your handwriting and syntax were evenly spaced and formatted to perfection. I hated and admired you at the same time.

All the mixed emotions came rushing back to me after I learned that your were shot point blank in the head. Was it inappropriate of me to briefly admire that even your death was indicative of you: flawless, succinct, and poignant?

Now, years later, I have been accepted to the University of California San Diego and will go on to medical school. You will never know the impact you had on my work ethic and love of medicine. You never sought to be my mentor and I never asked to be your student. But here we are.

When I don my white coat for the first time, I promise I will feel the pangs of regret for not reporting to you immediately to say, 'thank you.'

” — HM2(FMF) Howard Realubit, May 25, 2009 at 8:55 a.m.

“

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics. The title of Recon Marine is my honor.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition.Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles
I accepted to become a Recon Marine.
Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart.

A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine.

Semper Fi Brother Recon.

” — Brother Recon, June 3, 2009 at 6:19 p.m.

“

I just wanted to say that although I didn't know you very well, my fellow corpsman at 2/5 loved and spoke highly of you always. You had a great impact on all of their lives, and they were amazed at all of your accomplishments. I do remember hanging out with you at HM3 Jones's place a couple of times, and I distinctly remember your stoic demeanor. It was as if you knew you had what it took to be the best at whatever you did. We were all very sad when we heard that you had been killed in action, (HM1 Flint was the first one to tell me), but also knew that you were a warrior, and you died as you lived; with a fighting spirit. Rest in peace shipmate. We will always remember your sacrifice brother.

” — HM3 (FMF)Aaron Sandoval, May 17, 2011 at 4:44 a.m.

“

Cesar,
I have an interesting story for you... When you were serving in Iraq in 2005, so was I. You didn't know me, and I didn't know you. I was deployed to Baghdad International Airport and am active duty Airman for the U.S. Air Force. Towards the end of my tour (December 2006), I decided to acquire a memory bracelet, much similar to a POW/MIA bracelet. When I submitted my order, I stated I don't care who it is and what service they are in, I just want to remember one of our fallen who gave their ultimate sacrifice. Well, the silver bracelet the company sent me had your name on it "PO2 Cesar O. Baez, USN 15 JUN 05 IRAQ" I want you to know from one service member to another, you will never be forgotten. Ever since that bracelet arrived to me in 2006, I wear it every single day (on duty and off). I constantly am asked who the name is on my bracelet and I tell everyone that you were my fallen brother. So, rest in peace brother, and know that even complete strangers are remembering you and paying respects to you and your family on a daily basis.

With much love,
Master Sergeant Ernie Rude

” — MSgt Rude, August 23, 2014 at 10:14 a.m.

“

Remembering you today on Memorial Day. You were the toughest SOB I ever knew. I remember when I first got to 2/5, we were on a training Mission and somehow or another some of us weren't doing what we were supposed to or in the positions that we were supposed to be in and you came over and chewed everybody's ass. I remember another point when a couple of people were not dispersed far enough in their fighting positions and you literally walked over, grabbed somebody by the gear and threw them into another position like a rag doll. I asked someone if you were a squad leader or platoon Sergeant or something and they said, "No, he's just our Corpsman."
Rest in peace brother. I'll see you soon.

” — Cpl. Anthony Park - Weapons 2/5 , May 30, 2016 at 2:48 p.m.

“

Doc Baez, I never served with you, never trained with you, but we were at Corps school together. We crossed paths plenty of times at school, perhaps had a few interchanges, but not much that I can recall, but knew of your story at recon. It was your life and passion. You wore it proudly in the way that you carried yourself when you were at Great Lakes. If I remember correctly you were there with another Recon brother, who carried himself in a similar matter.
Reading these tributes, they have me in tears. A man who never changed, who continued to serve his country and fellow marines. I am proud to have known a true gentleman, patriot, and a great American hero.

” — HM3 Gerardo Toranzo-Hospital Corps School 1996, December 9, 2016 at 12:01 p.m.

“

I was there in Ramadi, briefly served with him near the end. I remember Doc. Baez had a way of being a solid foundation to those around him. I remember how when he was treating Marines he was knowledgeable and took it very seriously, even when illustrating a point, like showing the proper and improper ways to numb a toe by shoving the hypodermic needle completely through, like he did with mine. He had a way of including humor with his skills to bring levity to those around him. He was a good man and I think about him often. If it wasn't for him I honestly don't know where I'd be, I feel like he was in my life for a good purpose. When I had learned what happened my thoughts turned immediately to his little family he'd spoken about. I don't know if he was religious or not, but I do know he was a dedicated man. Semper Fi brother!

"12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren..." Alma 46: 12-13

” — CPL Russell Lovelett, May 29, 2017 at 10:41 a.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Cesar O. Baez, 37

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24 memories of Cesar O. Baez