Army Pfc. Raymond N. Spencer Jr.

Died June 21, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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23, of Carmichael, Calif.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas; died June 21 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire.

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Former Placer Hills firefighter killed in attack in Baghdad

The Associated Press

CARMICHAEL, Calif. — Army Pfc. Raymond Spencer Jr. once harbored dreams of playing professional hockey, but his life took a different path and he instead joined the military.

Spencer, 23, of Carmichael, died in Baghdad of wounds suffered June 21 when his unit was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire, the Department of Defense said June 23.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, in Fort Bliss, Texas.

The former Placer Hills firefighter who coached youth hockey was proud to serve his country.

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night, only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf,” he wrote in a profile he posted at MySpace, the popular online social networking site, quoting the writer George Orwell.

Sad remembrances from family and friends now join Spencer’s modest description of himself on his MySpace page.

“He was always happy, always smiling,” said his aunt, Victoria Gargano, of New York City. “He kept everybody’s spirits up. I don’t think there was anybody who didn’t like him.”

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Family remembers California soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

Army Pfc. Raymond N. Spencer Jr. liked the movies “Top Gun” and “Finding Nemo,” the History Channel and “South Park,” country music and rock.

On his MySpace profile, he said he was a “down to earth guy who enjoys life and takes things as they come.” He quoted George Orwell: “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night, only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

Spencer, 23, of Carmichael, Calif., was killed June 21 in Baghdad during an ambush. He was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas.

“He was always happy, always smiling,” said his aunt, Victoria Gargano. “He kept everybody’s spirits up. I don’t think there was anybody who didn’t like him.”

He was an athlete, playing competitive youth hockey. He was a regular at the Skatetown Roseville ice rink and helped coach youth hockey there. He volunteered at a fire station in Meadow Vista.

The most lasting impression of her son, Laura Spencer said, was his infectious smile and charisma. “He always had fun,” she said.

“He had friends everywhere, everywhere he went.”

He also is survived by his father, Ray Spencer Sr.