Desert Dispatch -- A Fort Irwin soldier died Wednesday in a vehicle accident outside his camp in Kuwait.

Sgt. Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, 26, was deployed with the 2nd Heavy Equipment Transportation Company, part of the National Training Center Support Brigade at Fort Irwin, according to a Department of Defense report. Ramirez was stationed at Camp Arifjan in the south east Kuwait near the Persian Gulf.

The military has not released details about his death.

“All we know is that he died in non-hostile action in a motor vehicle accident,” said John Wagstaffe, spokesman for Fort Irwin.

Another soldier was in the vehicle with Ramirez and received slight injuries, Wagstaffe said. That soldier returned to duty shortly after the incident. Ramirez’s wife, Amber, lives in Mohave Valley, Ariz., with his two children, Amy, 7, and Guadalupe, 4, Wagstaffe said.

The 2nd HET left Fort Irwin on May 8, 2007 for what is their third tour of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based in Kuwait, the 145 soldiers of the Fort Irwin company shuttle supplies in and out of Iraq and between American posts within the country, according to previous reports. 
While deployed, Ramirez received an Army commendation medal with valor for saving the lives of fellow soldiers. Wagstaffe said that while in a convoy, Ramirez became slightly injured and still went to the rear of the convoy to help rescue soldiers.

A memorial service will be held for Ramirez in Kuwait on Sunday. Fort Irwin will also have a service at a later date.

==Another news story==

The Associated Press --Army Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz said Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez was a loving man who was eager to learn and absorbed knowledge like a sponge.

“He was a loving husband, a loving father, a loving son and a great soldier,” Ortiz said. “Why was he a great soldier? He was full of endless energy and endless love for all those around him.”

Ramirez, 26, of Fort Irwin, Calif., died April 23 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries from a vehicle accident. He was assigned to Fort Irwin.

“We have lost a great soldier, and we will miss him,” Ortiz said, “but he will not be forgotten.”

Ramirez was born in Mexicali and immigrated to the U.S. with his parents in 1989, graduating from high school in 1999. He was first deployed to Iraq in 2003 and also served for a year in Korea before his second departure overseas to Iraq.

“His devotion, loyalty and unfailing courage in the face of danger serve as an inspiration to all Americans,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He is survived by his wife, Amber, and their two children, Amy, 7, and Guadalupe, 4.