Ronald E. Baum Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

To friends and fellow Marines, Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum seemed fearless. Facing the conflict in Iraq, he volunteered to go. "He was tough as nails, disciplined, compassionate," said Capt. Michael DuBruel, Baum''s company commander. "Ron lived life to the fullest. He died while leading men in battle." The 38-year-old from Hollidaysburg, Pa., was killed by mortar fire May 3 in Iraq''s Anbar province. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. "He gave his life for love of his country, the Marine Corps," said his wife, Cynthia Baum. "If Ron could speak to us today, he would say, ''I am proud to be a husband, father, brother, friend, but above all, proud to be a Marine.''" Baum took part in the evacuation of 172 people in Eritrea during a border dispute with Ethiopia in 1998. He was an instructor at the Naval Survival School in Rangeley, Maine. Survivors include his three children, ages 3, 7 and 10.

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I knew Gunnery Sgt Baum when I was just 8 years old. He was a good friend of one of my older brothers and showed up one time on Christmas Eve, to have dinner with my family. Even as a child, I could tell his personality demanded attention, but in a way that said, "you need to listen to this man.. he has knowledge". I am proud to have met him, and to have had a crush on him at that young age! I shared my Christmas sticker book with him, and I remember he had nodded approvingly, amusingly, and...

J ILLIG

September 03, 2021 | JACKSONVILLE, FL | Acquaintance

Gunnery Sergeant Baum was leading my son Anthony L. Ferrante, a fellow Marine and others on May 3rd when they came under attack. Anthony was with Gunnery Sergeant Baum when he was killed by mortar fire in the Anbar Province. Anthony recalled Gunny Baum's heroism and fine leadership to me after his return from Iraq. Anthony and I would like to thank Gunny Baum and his family on this Memorial Day for his service and fine leadership. My son and I will always remember him and honor his name and...

Cheryl Hersperger

May 30, 2021 | Charlestown, RI | Military

Still not forgotten

Cates

May 02, 2019 | Military

Ron,
It is coming up on fifteen years since you gave the ultimate sacrifice you are truly missed and thought of often. You are a hero and a great Marine. Those of us who knew you in Brunswick I am sure will lift one to you this Friday. Semper Fi Brother see you sooner or later but Warriors will always live on as long as we are not forgotten.

Doc Mac

Mark McAndrew

May 01, 2019 | Spokane, WA | Military

RIP my brother. We will meet again at the warriors table in Valhalla.
SEMPER Fi

GARY BEST

April 20, 2019 | Coloma, MI | Brother

I have not forgotten you. I have 2 sons. One served in the Corps as well. One gave me a grand son. Thank you. I will never not think of you.

A Brother Cates

April 18, 2019 | Glen Rose, TX | Military

Not forgotten bro

Shad Cates

May 03, 2017

I read of you today, May 29, 2016. I'm going through SERE training and after online research that provided your name, I felt compelled to look for you here on "In Remembrance, Legacy". I'm a civilian living and working overseas in Japan as a contractor at MCAS Iwakuni and as Memorial Day approaches I want to THANK YOU for your service and our FREEDOM. Freedom is not FREE! God Bless you!

May 28, 2016

Thinking of you brother. Never forgotten

Shad Cates

May 04, 2015 | Glen Rose, TX

Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum

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