26 June 2011

US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ralph E. Pate Jr., age 29, from Mullins, S.C., died on 26th June 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Gunnery Sgt. Pate joined the Marines in 1998, served four tours of duty in Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2011. He holds a Bronze Star Medal among other awards and decorations.