29-year-old Gunnery Sgt. Ralph E. Pate Jr. of Marion, S.C. died June 26th.   Pate, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to 2nd EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C., joined the Marine Corps in 1998. He was promoted to his current rank in 2009.   Pate deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2011.  Personal decorations for Pate include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award.

Hundreds offer final respects to fallen S.C. Marine

The Associated Press

MULLINS, S.C. — Hundreds of people have paid their final respects to a Marine sergeant from South Carolina who was killed in Afghanistan.

Gunnery Sgt. Ralph "E.J." Pate Jr. died June 26 while fighting in Helmand province. He was an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to Second EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Second Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

WBTW reported that people lined the avenues leading to Mullins High School ahead of a memorial service honoring Pate on Wednesday. Among the friends and family was fellow Marine Steve Vereen, who served alongside Pate and said the news of his death was very sobering.

Pate's family members and friends said they were moved by the outpouring of support and love.

 Gunnery Sgt. Ralph E. Pate, Jr., Explosive Ordnance Disposal Killed
30 June 2011

A family in Marion, South Carolina, is mourning the loss of a 29-year-old Marine after he was killed during combat in Afghanistan Sunday.

Second Lieutenant James Stenger with the United States Marine Corps said Gunnery Sergeant Ralph E. Pate, Jr. of Marion was an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to Second EOD Company, Eighth Engineer Support Battalion, Second Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

He joined the Marines in 1998 and was promoted to his current rank in 2009, according to Stenger.

During his time with the Marines, Pate was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and was also deployed in 2009 and 2011 for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Stenger said Pate’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award.

Circumstances surrounding Pate’s death were not immediately made available.