In honor of a fallen Airman

  • Published
  • By Amn. Charles V. Rivezzo
  • Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen and family members of Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection craftsman, gathered Dec. 14 at the cantonment area here, for the unveiling of a sign renaming a piece of Dyess after the fallen hero.

The cantonment area, used to host exercises and training sessions, has been renamed Ray Rangel Air Base in honor of Sergeant Rangel, who lost his life in the line of duty more than five years ago.

Sergeant Rangel volunteered to deploy to Iraq in support of our nation's war on terrorism late in September 2004, having to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas away from his family for the first time.

Sergeant Rangel died Feb. 13, 2005, while attempting to save three Soldiers trapped in an overturned and submerged Humvee in a canal in northern Iraq.

"Ray loved his job and he died doing just that, rescuing fellow Soldiers so that they could have an opportunity to continue in life," said Tech. Sgt. Stephen R. Perez, 7 CES fire inspector and long-time friend of Sergeant Rangel.

Sergeant Rangel was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, posthumously, for his heroic actions.

Two awards have also been named in honor of sergeant Rangel, the Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel Award and the Ray Rangel Noncommissioned Officer Award, given to fellow Airmen in the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing who epitomize the selfless courage that he displayed.

Sergeant Rangel attended South San Antonio High School, where he played defensive back on the football team and was known as "Crazy Ray."

"He loved cracking and playing jokes amongst his friends," Sergeant Perez said. "Despite his wise cracking, he was a good man."

His military career began immediately following high school when he enlisted in the Air Force in 1994, and attended the Lewis F. Garland Fire Academy at Goodfellow AFB, Texas.

After being stationed at Dyess AFB he married and bought a house in Abilene, where he and his wife raised four children.

"He loved his job as a firefighter but most importantly, loved being a husband to his wife and father to his kids," said Sergeant Perez.

"Like Saint Florien, he is our protector, protecting us through our everyday operations here at Dyess AFB Fire & Emergency Services," he said.

Sergeant Rangel was a firefighter of more than nine years and last served with the 7 CES.

A formal dedication ceremony will be held Feb. 18 at the cantonment area here in honor of Sergeant Rangel.