By Danielle Warner
Buckeye Sports Information
COLUMBUS, Ohio “United States Marine Corps Major and former Buckeye wrestler Ramon J. Mendoza will posthumously receive the Purple Heart before Ohio State’s home wrestling dual meet against Minnesota at 7:15 p.m. Friday at St. John Arena. Mendoza, who was promoted to the rank of Major Oct. 1, 2005, died of wounds sustained during Operation Steel Curtain Nov. 14, 2005 in New Ubaydi, Iraq, while acting as commanding officer of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment.
Mendoza’s wife, Karen, will accept the Purple Heart in Mendoza’s name and numerous family members and friends of Mendoza are expected to attend.
“We are proud to be able to honor Ray,” Russ Hellickson, wrestling head coach, said. “We are looking forward to sharing this ceremony with all of his family. He certainly earned it.”
Mendoza, a native of Blairstown, N.J., lettered for the Buckeyes in 1992 and ’93 and was the Big Ten runner-up at heavyweight in 1993.
At 6:10 p.m. Friday, a video presentation of Mendoza will run continuously in the northeast corner of the floor of St. John Arena until the ceremony at 7 p.m.
Before every home dual meet, Ohio State honors Mendoza with a pre-match moment of silence and a color guard observance. Also, in memory of Mendoza, who joined the Marine Corps in 1995, the Buckeyes wear a patch on their singlets that bears Mendoza’s first name.
In addition to his wife, Mendoza, 37, also is survived by daughter, Kiana, 12, and son Aleksandr, 8, as well as his brothers, Niola and Jermaine Mendoza.
In memory of her husband, Karen has initiated the Ray Mendoza Blair Wrestling Scholarship fund. The educational fund will provide financial contribution to a student-athlete attending Blair Academy. Following his graduation from John Adams High School in 1986, Mendoza studied at Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., for one year of postgraduate studies.
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