A highly decorated Navy SEAL team commander was found dead in his San Diego, California home on Monday.
He was 47 years old.
Robert Ramirez III enlisted in the Navy in 1996 and was commissioned in 2004, according to the Military Times.
In a statement on Wednesday, Naval Special Warfare Command officials said that foul play was not suspected in Ramirez’s death, and that an investigation is being conducted by the San Diego police department.
The Military Times reported:
Cmdr. Robert Ramirez III, commanding officer of SEAL Team 1, was found dead in his San Diego County residence Monday.
Naval Special Warfare Command officials said in a statement Wednesday that foul play is not suspected to have played a role in the decorated officer’s death.
Navy officials said the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation remains ongoing.
“Bobby was an outstanding leader, devoted husband and father, and a good friend to us all,” Capt. David Abernathy, commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which manages all San Diego-based SEAL teams, said in a statement. “This is a devastating loss to our community and all who knew him. We will remain in support of Bobby’s family, friends and teammates during this extremely difficult time.”
He took command of SEAL Team 1 last month and arrived to the unit in June, according to his releasable service record and command officials.
His awards and decorations accrued over nearly 27 years of service include five Bronze Star Medals, two with the Combat “V” device denoting valor and acts of heroism.
Ramirez also has three Combat Action ribbons and medals for the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, among many others.
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“Bobby was an outstanding leader, devoted husband and father, and a good friend to us all,” said Capt. David Abernathy, commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which SEAL Team 1 falls under. “This is a devastating loss to our community and all who knew him. We will remain in support of Bobby’s family, friends and teammates during this extremely difficult time.”
Ramirez, originally from Virginia, enlisted in the Navy in 1996 before commissioning in 2004. According to his releasable service record, as reported by Military Times, he deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and received five Bronze Star medals, including two with a combat “V” device. Ramirez also received three Combat Action Ribbons.
Ramirez’s passing comes just a little over a year after the death of another SEAL Team commanding officer, Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, on Dec. 7, 2021. Bourgeois was the commander of SEAL Team 8, based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia. He died following an accident during a fast-rope training evolution in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
