First Lieutenant Marcos A. Ruvalcaba

Fillmore resident Marcos A. Ruvalcaba, 33 years, is a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and he is leaving for Afghanistan in the immediate future for a minimum seven month deployment. This will be his third deployment to the Middle East. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is currently assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment is known as the “Thundering Third!”

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba attended Fillmore schools until the 9th grade when he transferred to St. Bonaventure High School. At St. Bonaventure he participated in soccer and baseball before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1998. While in the United States Marine Corps he attended Chapman University from 2002-2005 where he studied Criminal Justice. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba continued his college education as an enlisted Marine and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree which allowed him to attend Officer Candidates School. After completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 30, 2007 just nine years after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is the son of Aurelia and Jose Refugio Ruvalcaba of Fillmore. He is married to Carmen of Palmdale and they are expecting a baby girl, Nellie, the end of August. This will be the first grandchild for Aurelia and Jose and they are very excited for this new addition to their family. His siblings are Pablo 32 years of Santa Monica, CA, Victor 30 years of Santa Monica, CA, Jose 27 years of Fillmore and Mariza 24 years of Washington. His maternal Grandparents are Manuel 88 years and the late Inez Aparicio of Fillmore and paternal Grandparents Longinos 99 years and the late Pachita Ruvalcaba of Fillmore. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba has one cousin serving in the military; Alfredo Quesada served four years in the United States Navy Reserves.

When I did an earlier article on 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba, approximately one year ago, he was a Ground Intelligence Officer with the Military Transition Team 0720 (MiTT) from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California embedded with an Iraqi Army Brigade in Al Anbar province Baghdadi, Iraq. He had been deployed for one year and had five months remaining on his deployment. That was his second deployment to Iraq. When 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on March 30, 2009 an Iraqi Army Officer (Lieutenant Colonel equivalent) pinned his silver bars on his collar. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba believes this was the first time an Iraqi Officer participated in the promotion of an American Officer!

As a result of his distinguished service to his Country, 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba has earned the following medals; (1) Global War on Terrorism, (2) United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, (1) Iraq Campaign Medal, (1) National Defense Medal, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, (1) Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, (8) Letters of Appreciation, (1) Certificate of Commendation (individual award), (1) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, (3) Meritorious Mast and (4) Certificates of Appreciation.

All of us here in the communities of Fillmore and Piru are proud of United States Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Marcos A. Ruvalcaba for his service. We wish him a long and distinguished career, safe travel and return home from his third tour to the Middle East. We thank him and his family for the sacrifices they have already made and will make in the future. Lieutenant Marcos A. Ruvalcaba is one of our own and is truly an American Hero!