Ambush in Afghanistan kills soldier from Revere

A soldier from Revere was killed Saturday in Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense said yesterday.

Nelson D. Rodriguez-Ramirez, 22, died in Kandahar city when the vehicle he was traveling in was ambushed while going to a training location, according to a statement from the New York Army National Guard. The vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device and gunfire.

Rodriguez-Ramirez was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant, said Eric Durr, a spokesman for the Guard.

Lieutenant Colonel James Walton, of Rockville, Md.; Sergeant Andrew Seabrooks, of South Ozone Park, Queens, N.Y.; and Sergeant Anthony Mangano, of Greenlawn, N.Y. were also killed in the attack. Seabrooks, Mangano, and Rodriguez-Ramirez were posthumously awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross by Governor David Paterson of New York, Durr said.

All three were assigned to the Second Squadron, 101st Cavalry, New York Army National Guard, which is based in Geneva, N.Y.

"These members of the Army National Guard died carrying out an important mission: training the Afghan forces to stand against elements that would return their country to the dark ages," said Major General Joseph Taluto, adjutant general and commander of the New York Army National Guard. "We are proud of them, and we will never forget them."

Rodriguez-Ramirez leaves a daughter, born in 2003, who lives with his former wife in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Durr said. His father is a Chelsea resident, and his mother is a Revere resident. They could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Thomas Ambrosino of Revere said he was saddened by the death of Rodriguez-Ramirez, who was on his second tour of duty.