CENTER FOR U.S. WAR
VETERANS' ORAL HISTORIES

Gold Star Families

Ronald A. Kubik

Gold Star Mother Oral History Interview
US Army, 75th Ranger Regiment
Date: May 31, 2024
Narrator: Eileen Daly
Interviewer: Carol Fowler, Katherine Gleason
Summarizer: Katherine Gleason

Summary

Ronald Kubik

Eileen Daly is the Gold Star Mother of Sergeant Ronald A. Kubik, who was killed in action on April 23, 2010 in Afghanistan. He served in the 75th Ranger Regiment and was the recipient of numerous honors, including the Silver Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Kubik was born on June 22, 1988 and had two siblings, Amy and Mary. Daly recounted that her son had many interests growing up, as he was a well-rounded and adventurous person. Kubik learned how to play the guitar and started his own band, “The Void Within.” He was also an avid writer, contributing to the school newspaper through his column “Adventures with Ron.” Additionally, Kubik enjoyed acting and was a member of the drama club while also playing Varsity football.

Daly recalled that her son was deeply impacted by September 11th, and after six months of college on track to becoming a lawyer, Kubik enlisted in the US Army in 2007. Daly explained that he had said to her, “Mom, I can’t look the other way.” Despite feeling apprehensive, she was supportive of her son, stating, “I was his number one fan.”

Kubik completed his training at what is now Fort Moore, previously known as Fort Benning, in Georgia. There, he went to Basic Training and Airborne School before completing the Ranger Indoctrination Program, fulfilling his goal of serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Later, Kubik also completed the US Army Ranger Course to acquire his Ranger Tab.

Kubik had three deployments with the Ranger Regiment in his three years of service, two to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. Daly explained that her son’s unit was deployed more frequently, but for shorter time periods than other units. During his deployments, she and Kubik would often communicate with letters and phone calls. He wrote to her: “If my ass gets hurt, please don’t feel disappointed. I want this more than anything.”

Gold Star Mother Eileen Daly

Sergeant Ronald A. Kubik died on April 23, 2010 in the Logar Province of Eastern Afghanistan. Daly explained that her son and his fellow Rangers were tracking a high value target who was responsible for transporting materials to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Kubik, as a Rifle Squad Team Leader, put himself between women and children and other Rangers, when the target began firing down at them from the top of a staircase. He was shot seven times and kept engaging the shooter until the shooter broke contact. Kubik saved twenty-nine people because of his heroic actions. His body was transferred back to the US and buried in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.

In the 14 years since her son was killed in action, Daly has been active in the Gold Star community, serving as both Vice President and President of the American Gold Star Mothers Department of New Jersey for two years. During this time, she was honored to serve on the Survivor Advisory Working Group committee, which worked out of the Pentagon to improve the lives of Gold Star families. Daly was awarded the Superior Public Service Medal for her continued support and contributions to the Gold Star community. Today, she continues to honor Kubik’s memory, sharing his story to inspire others, and to enshrine his legacy as a leader and a hero.

Daly concluded her interview by sharing Kubik’s message to younger generations: Make a difference and be proud to be an American.

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