United States Marine Corps Sergeant Samuel Ruiz was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. SGT Ruiz enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 25, 2015, and he has served in the 2nd Marine Division in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Miramar, California, and the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command in Camp Pendleton, California. He currently serves with Echo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Syracuse, New York

Samuel Ruiz running with squad.

In January 2021 Samuel Ruiz deployed to Al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, and executed duties as the Communication Strategy and Operations Platoon Sergeant, a Martial Arts Instructor, and a Corporals Course instructor. During this time, he traveled to Manama, Bahrain; Aqaba, Jordan;  Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, and Kabul, Afghanistan. Most recently, in August of 2021, SGT Ruiz landed with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Joint Task Force-Crisis Response and assisted in the evacuation of designated personnel. During this time, SGT Ruiz also captured imagery for all United States Armed Forces to include Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, and other NATO forces.

Samuel Ruiz with wife

SGT Ruiz’s awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, the Good Conduct Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment ribbon. SGT Ruiz is married to his wonderful wife, Diana Ruiz.