Marine Lance Corporal Ronald D. Freeman, 25, was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. He died on April 28, 2011, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, only three weeks after his arrival. His assignment was to find improvised explosive devices using a metal detector.
The day he died a mine exploded as Freeman stepped out of a truck to search the area.

LCPL Freeman grew up in Plant City, Florida. After graduation from Plant City High School, he decided to join the Marines, even when people told him he was a long shot. But Freeman worked out until he shed 100 pounds and the Marines accepted him as an enlistee.

Known as “Doug” or “Dougie,” he was recalled as a fun-loving yet focused man who accomplished so much during his 25 years. “He was a Marine and family man,” friend Katherine Rutherford said. “That’s what he wanted. He would have let anybody know.”

LCPL Freeman died the day of his daughter, Katelyn’s first birthday and 10 days after his son, William Douglas was born.