DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Ramon T. Kaipat, 22, of Tacoma, Wash., died April 11 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.
---
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
The late Marine is the son of Pete Somorang Kaipat and Sinforosa Taisakan Kaipat, both now living in Tacoma, Washington.
“The last time I saw him was in 2005 before he left for the States. I
burst into tears. I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t know what to do
or think when I heard the news that our nephew was killed. I just wish I
was there with my sister during this time,” Kaipat’s aunt Maria
Taisakan told Saipan Tribune in an interview shortly before the family
was to bury another member of the family on Saipan yesterday afternoon.
Taisakan, 42, is the youngest sister of the late Marine’s mother.
She and their relatives on Saipan were preparing for the funeral of
her aunt, Catalina I. Kapileo, a sister of her father, when they got a
call late Wednesday night.
“I couldn’t express my feelings because we’re in the middle of
preparations for the burial of my aunt when we heard of another death in
the family,” Taisakan said in an interview at her late aunt’s house in
San Jose.
Taisakan said the late Marine and his family used to live in Garapan before they left for Washington State.
Kaipat is one of three children. He has a younger brother and an older sister.
Taisakan said her nephew attended Oleai Elementary School, Hopwood Junior High School, and Marianas High School.
“But he completed his high school in Tacoma. Then he entered the Marines,” Taisakan said.
‘Helpful, caring’
Taisakan said her nephew was “very helpful and caring.”
“I miss his smile. Even if you scold him, he’d smile and apologize.
We have a tight family. We look after each other; and my nephew was very
helpful and caring. We will all miss him,” the teary-eyed Taisakan
said.
She said as of yesterday afternoon, her sister, brother-in-law, and
Kaipat’s sister and brother were on their way to Maryland to greet the
body and bring it to Tacoma, Washington where the late Marine may be
buried.
“Now, we are holding the rosary for two of our family members,” Taisakan added.
Her sister, former representative Malua Peter, confirmed Thursday
morning that they received the news of Kaipat’s death around 11:30pm
Wednesday night, Saipan time.
“I really don’t know what to feel. It’s sad, especially right now I
am in the wake of another relative,” Peter, also a former member of
Northern Marianas College’s Board of Regents, told Saipan Tribune
Thursday morning.
Peter’s younger sister is the mother of Kaipat.
‘A hero’
The U.S. Marine Corps extended its “heartfelt sympathy and
condolences to the family and friends of our fellow Marine who have
suffered this loss and is committed to providing full support for their
needs.”
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP), upon hearing the news, said
he’s “saddened to learn of the loss of another of our own in the war in
Afghanistan.”
“Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ramon Taisacan Kaipat, a hero, gave the
ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. I know that there is little
that I can say that will lessen Lance Corporal Kaipat’s family for the
pain and grief of a loss so overwhelming, but I extend my condolences
and deepest sympathies to the family for the loss of their son and for
their own sacrifices.
“May God bless Lance Corporal Kaipat and the Taisacan and Kaipat families,” Sablan added.
Taisakan said that Kaipat was just one of her many relatives serving in the U.S. military.
“In fact, one of my brothers’ son just came back from Afghanistan last month,” she said.
CNMI mourns
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, upon learning of
Kaipat’s passing, said with great sadness and heavy hearts, they join
the CNMI people in mourning “the loss of one of our own sons in uniform,
USMC Lance Corporal Ramon Taisakan Kaipat.”
Fitial and Inos, in a statement, said Kaipat, in choosing a career in
the prestigious U.S. Marine Corps, “demonstrated his willingness and
determination to live a life of discipline and personal sacrifice so
that all citizens of our country would be able to live in freedom and
security.”
“In choosing this noble path in his life, he exemplified his
undeniable strength of character and his patriotic courage and fortitude
to carry through,” they said.
The governor and lieutenant governor said, “From his humble
beginnings as an island boy, to his service on the international
warfront, Lance Corporal Kaipat lived his life on the principles of
duty, honor, and country.”
“In this time of sorrow, we extend our sincerest condolences and
prayers to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Kaipat. Rest assured
that his life of service to defend our freedom, our Commonwealth, and
our country, will not be forgotten,” Fitial and Inos added.
Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan) said his deepest sympathy goes to the
bereaved family. Yumul himself was deployed to the Middle East as a
member of the 442nd Division of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 100th Infantry
Battalion.
“He sacrificed his life to protect the citizens of Afghanistan and
defend against this war on terrorism. We should never forget his
sacrifice,” Yumul said.
Besides Kaipat, the 15 other men and women from the CNMI who lost
their lives while serving in the wars against terror include: Army Sgt.
Yihgyh “Eddie” L. Chen (April 4, 2004), Army SSgt. Wilgene Lieto (Oct.
31, 2005), Army Spc. Derence W. Jack (Oct. 31, 2005), Army Sgt. Jesse J.
Castro (Dec. 6, 2006), Marine LCpl Adam Q. Emul (Jan. 29, 2007), Army
SPC Leeroy A. Camacho (Feb. 9, 2007), Army PFC John D. Flores (May 3,
2007), Army PFC Victor M. Fontanilla (May 17, 2007), Army Spc. Joe
Junior G. Charfauros (June 20, 2007), Navy Seaman Anamarie San Nicolas
Camacho (Oct. 22, 2007), Army Sgt. Brian S. Leon Guerrero (July 10,
2008), Army SSgt. Julian F. Manglona (Oct. 9, 2008), and Air Force SrA
Audra P.M. Winkfield (June 19, 2009), Marine Cpl. Dave Michael Maliksi
Santos (2010), and Sgt. George Joseph Affatica Sablan (Feb. 10, 2012).
Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
