Buckeye Women’s Golf to Play In Honor of Major Ray Mendoza – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 30, 2014
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s golf program is dedicating the 2014-15 season to former Buckeye student-athlete Ray Mendoza, a United State Marines Major killed during Operation Steel Curtain on Nov. 14, 2005 in New Ubaydi, Iraq. Ohio State is teaming up with Folds of Honor to recognize the fallen Buckeye.
The Mendoza’s are a true Buckeye family. Ray lettered on the Ohio State wrestling team and finished as the Big Ten runner-up heavyweight in 1993. His wife, Karen, is a Columbus native graduating from Upper Arlington High School. The couple has two children; a daughter, Kiana, and a son, Alexsandr.
FOLDS OF HONOR MILITARY TRIBUTE PROGRAM – MAJOR RAY J. MENDOZA
Ray J. Mendoza was born April 12, 1968 in Pleasantville, N.J. During his childhood he moved to Queens, N.Y., where he graduated from John Adams high school in 1986. Upon graduation, he attended West Point Prep before attending Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., for a one-year post-graduate study. At Blair Academy, Mendoza participated on the wrestling team and was captain of the varsity football team. While wrestling for Blair, Mendoza took second place at the Preps in 1987. Upon completion of his post-graduate year, he attended Wilkes University. To pursue higher wrestling goals, Mendoza transferred to Ohio State. He earned recognition as the 1991 USA University Freestyle Champion and went on to letter for the Buckeyes in 1992 and 1993 and was the runner-up at heavyweight at the 1993 Big Ten Championships. As a student-athlete at OSU, Mendoza earned a Bachelors of Arts in history.
Ray Mendoza Mendoza entered the Marine Corps in Feb. 1995 and after successfully completing Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va., he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in Aug. 1995. He then reported to The Basic School and was assigned as an infantry officer. Continuing with his pursuit of excellence in wrestling, he competed for the All-Marine Wrestling Team and was the1996 Central Region Olympic Trial Greco-Roman Champion at 100kg. He then went on to pursue his dream to be an Olympian, becoming an Olympic Alternate at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
After graduating from the Infantry Officer Course in Oct. 1996, Mendoza checked into Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment before being promoted to First Lieutenant in Aug. 1997.
In June 1999, Mendoza received orders to the Marine Barracks, Ground Defense Security Force, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In October of the same year, Mendoza was promoted to the rank of Captain and selected for augmentation, earning a regular commission into the United States Marine Corps.
Following Mendoza’s augmentation, he received orders to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va. During his time in Quantico, Mendoza competed in the Armed Services National Wrestling Tournament and placed second in the nation.
In June 2003, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following combat, Mendoza assumed command of Echo Company before being re-deployed to Iraq. Mendoza was promoted to the rank of Major Oct. 1, 2005 in the operational theatre.
Mendoza died of wounds sustained during Operation Steel Curtain Nov. 14, 2005 in New Ubaydi, Iraq.
If interested in supporting the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, please contact head women’s golf coach Therese Hession:
Ohio State University Golf Club
3605 Tremont Road
Columbus, OH 43221
614-292-3809
Hession.1@osu.edu
