GySgt. Ronald E. Baum, U.S.M.C. (KIA)

Marine killed in Iraq remembered as fearless, dedicated

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — A 38-year-old Marine from western Pennsylvania was remembered as fearless and dedicated up until his last minute, when he was hit by a mortar trying to save six other soldiers and another Marine.Hundreds of people crowded into a church in Altoona to honor Gunnery Sgt. Ronald E. Baum, who was killed May 3 in an attack in the Al Anbar province, where the turbulent cities of Ramadi and Fallujah are located.

He was buried Tuesday in Blue Knob, not far away from his Hollidaysburg home, about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh.

"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, a member of the 2nd Intelligence Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, was posthumously honored with the Navy Marine Corps Commendation for his actions during the attack.

Defense officials said Baum and seven other soldiers came under mortar and machine gun fire. Baum replaced another solider atop a Humvee and was killed when it was hit by a mortar.

"He was tough as nails, disciplined, compassionate," said Baum's company commander Capt. Michael DuBruel. "He helped make the world a batter place. Ron lived life to the fullest. He died while leading men in battle."

Ronald Baum and another brother, Marine Staff Sgt. Brian Baum, 37, both joined the Marines in 1986, his family said. Ronald Baum took the Marines more seriously.

"It is our sacred duty to defend this country and what we believe in, and my brother did that," said Brian Baum, who was also in Iraq but given leave for the funeral. "All I have to say, if you didn't know him, you didn't talk to him, he is the greatest person I've ever known in my life, the best man I've ever seen in my life."

According to Navy and Marines Web sites, Baum took part in the evacuation of 172 people in Eritrea during a border dispute with Ethiopia in 1998.

He was also an instructor at the Naval Survival School in Rangeley, Maine, where he taught soldiers to survive in hostile environments and evade capture.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, ages 10 and 4; and a 7-year-old daughter.