Lorenzo Ruiz (soldier)

Sgt. Lorenzo Ruiz (June 21, 1966 – October 4, 1993) was a U.S. Army Ranger who served in Mogadishu, Somalia. He was one of the 18 American soldiers killed during the The Battle of Mogadishu. He was killed on the Lost Convoy.

Early life

Ruiz was from El Paso, Texas and graduated from Austin High School in 1984 where he played football. He served with the Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, GA.

Military Service

Ruiz was one of 19 US military personnel killed in action in Somalia between October 3 and 4 1993. He had been part of a Ranger unit that traveled on a twelve-vehicle convoy into the heart of Mogadishu to capture Somali clan leaders. He was 27 years old.

Film and Book portrayals

In the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, based on the operation, Ruiz was portrayed by Enrique Murciano and served as one of Matt Eversmann's men.

Tributes

Lorenzo Ruiz was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with Valor Device.

See also

• Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
• Black Hawk Down (book)
• Black Hawk Down (film)
• Fall of Mogadishu
• Operation Gothic Serpent
• Somali Civil War

References

• Bowden, Mark, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Atlantic Monthly Press (1999)
• http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Black_Hawk_Down/416131
• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12790831