Raymond J. Plouhar
Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
May 26, 1976 – June 26, 2006
Age – 30
Lake Orion, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA
Died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Taggaddum, Iraq
A ten-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, SSG Plouhar was an infantry unit leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. He had been part of a unit engaged in projects to rebuild and revitalize schools in Iraq. He reportedly had 38 days left on his tour of duty at the time of his death.
He was a stern-faced sniper — and a soft-hearted Marine who handed out candy to kids in Iraq. He was a warrior who wrote poetry about life and death. But Staff Sgt. Raymond Plouhar was far more complicated than that. And it was that complicated man who died in Iraq in late June, as he served with some of the same men he had recruited years ago. It was that complex man who was buried Friday, by a family that honored his service but would never forget his humanity.
Plouhar was a Marine for 10 of his 30 years, but he had dreamed of joining the military ever since he was a little boy who liked to watch “M-A-S-H” on television and dress in fatigues and a camouflage shirt. He entered the Corps straight out of high school, was trained as a sniper and traveled the world — Bosnia, Sudan and Israel. He had a ramrod posture and a fierce pride in his appearance: He once ironed his uniform and polished its brass buttons for two hours before allowing his mom to photograph him.
“He told me lots of times that he learned what could be accomplished if you put your heart and soul in it — and he put his heart and soul in the Marine Corps,” says his father, also named Raymond. “He was gung-ho from the time he signed his name until the day he died.”
Plouhar did step back from active duty for four years and worked as a recruiter in Flint so he could donate a kidney to his uncle. It was as a recruiter that Plouhar was seen in Moore’s award-winning “Fahrenheit 9/11.” The segment shows Plouhar and another Marine in a mall parking lot in a depressed suburb of Flint; it suggests the two men were cynically hunting for poor teens to sign up, rather than go to a wealthy suburb where they’d likely be rejected. Plouhar’s father says his son told him he had been misled and believed he was being filmed for a documentary for Discovery Channel. (Moore’s office didn’t return calls or e-mail messages.)
“He cried when he found out what it really was,” his father says. “He never dreamed that it was going to be something to slam the country, which he dearly loved.”
His parents say they’ve seen only the segment featuring their son. Leigha Plouhar says her husband asked her not to watch the film — and she never has. Nor has Stephen Wandrie, his friend of 20 years, who says Plouhar was hurt by the film, but told him: “‘You know what? I know what I do is good for this country and every one of those people I’m recruiting — those guys are my brothers.’ ”
His fellow Marines remembered him as follows:
“Raymond was a good friend and an outstanding Marine as everyone that knew him and can vouch for that. I thank the time that I was able to talk with him. We spent many nights sitting outside having a cigar together talking about everything. I remember the day I found out…God bless that man/Marine. I know that he lives above us and watches us to be sure we are all taking care of. Snipping those who are looking to harm us. Take care my dear friend and I know that you are up there with Cheeks and Morrow…R.I.P brother!!! Semper Fi”
SSGt Jeremiah Williams of FAST (3/5 04-07)
October 24, 2009
I served with Ray at 2nd Bn, 2nd Marines from 96-99. I remember all the love, compassion, and strength that he had and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. There is nothing that he had that he wasn’t willing to give, from his kidney to his life, for what he firmly believed in. It’s been several years now, and I still think about him all the time. I miss you brother, keep looking out for us, and we love you. For the family, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask any of his brothers that will carry memories of him forever in our lives.
GySgt Matt Hannan, July 10, 2006
To the Family of my Brother Ray.
I was Rays Plt Sgt for the last few years and I had the Honor and privilege of working with Ray. As well as getting to know him on a personal level. He always thought that he owed me one, especially when I would cover for him or let him go early so that he could go home to his family. But it is I who owe him one, he was always there to let me sleep on his floor and drink his coffee and poke fun of his ears.
All he would talk about was going home and being A FATHER AND A HUSBAND, he always wanted to be there for them. I truly believe that he was the best. Now he is no longer with us, but he never left us, I believe the HE is still here for his Family and friends as a Guardian Angel for them. I will always miss him and think of him, especially his quick and witty ways, and how he would kick me out of my office to do work.
Ray no matter where you are or where you go I will always be your wing man.
Memo Sadoval