Ramon Ralph Padillo

Ramon Ralph Padillo, 95, of Spartanburg, SC passed away peacefully March 12, 2026, in Palmetto Patriots Home, Gaffney, SC. Born August 10, 1930, in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late Ramon Oseda and Dolores Padilla Oseda.

Shortly after his birth, both parents died in an industrial accident. Ramon began his life journey in a Catholic Conservatory, then attended various Catholic schools and homes throughout Spring Valley and Brooklyn, NY, prior to joining the military.

In 1948, he signed up with the U.S. Army while working in San Pedro, California. He completed his basic training there at Ford Ord. After basic training, he was sent to “Jump School” at Fort Benning, Georgia. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, he was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team nicknamed "Rakkasans" (Japanese for "falling umbrella") where he made two combat parachute jumps. He would return to the States in 1953, and after being discharged, would enlist in the U.S Marine Corps from 1954-57.

After discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, he was back in uniform with the U.S. Army. By 1961 he was already back on jump status as a paratrooper; first serving at Fort Campbell, KY, and overseas in Bavaria, West Germany, where he met and married his former wife and good friend Edith Allio. Their first son Stefan would be born before Ramon came back to the States in 1966, where he was stationed at Fort Benning, GA. While stationed there, his orders to Vietnam were delayed due to the birth of his second son. Shortly after Ralph’s birth, he would now be deployed while assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade “Sky Soldiers” to Vietnam.

On November 12, 1967, Ramon was on patrol with a squad of men by the base of Hill 875, Dak To, located in the Central Highlands region when they would run into a squad of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. After a brief firefight, Ramon would remove his pistol belt only to realize that he had been hit on his left hip. Fortunately, within minutes, a helicopter landed on the hill and he was medically evacuated. This wound as a direct result of enemy action resulted in him being honored with the Purple Heart Medal. He would soon recover and return to duty to finish his tour. In recognition of meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of June 1967 – June 1968, Ramon was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After serving more than 23 years in uniform, Ramon would retire in 1972 as a Sergeant First Class. He and his family would settle in Warwick, RI, where he began working for the Providence Gas Company as a crew leader. While living there, he became an active Mason and was also inducted as a Shriner. After working at the gas company long enough to receive another pension, he would retire in 1992 and later moved down to Charlotte, NC.

While living in Charlotte, he would be diagnosed with cancer and receive treatment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, SC. After undergoing treatment, Ramon eventually relocated in 2007 to the Armed Forces Retirement Home located in the heart of Wahington, DC. He knew that by being close to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he would receive the best advanced care in case of cancer recurrence or a relapse.

After a year at the Armed Forces Retirement Home and his cancer now in complete remission, Ramon would long to be close to family again. He would pack up his belongings with the help of friends from Charlotte and this time head down to Rock Hill, SC, where he would now reside close to his youngest son.

After a life of service to the community, he would be admitted as the 16th resident in the newly opened Palmetto Patriots Home in April of 2022. Ramon was well known inside the state veterans’ home. When he was able-bodied, he loved to stay active by walking the halls with the aid of his rollator, stopping to chat with fellow veterans and staff. Ramon would be in their long-term care until his final jump into the Lord’s arms.

He was a lifelong member of the Mason’s Harmony Lodge No.9 F.&A.M. located in Cranston, RI, and was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership for his outstanding and faithful service to the Potentate Guard Unit of the Oasis Shriners in 2004 while living in Charlotte, NC. In recognition of exceptional sacrifice in defense of the United States of America, Ramon was enrolled in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in 2006 and was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post: 9138, Fort Mill, SC. “AIRBORNE!”

Survivors include two sons: Stefan Padillo of Spartanburg, and Ralph Padillo of Lancaster; five grandchildren: Daniela Padillo and Cynthia Padillo of Xanten, Germany; Amanda Padillo of Charleston, Anthony Padillo of Rock Hill, and Isabella Padillo of Spartanburg; and one great grandson, Andrew Padillo.

A memorial service for Ramon was held by residents and staff on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Palmetto Patriots Home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.