Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci
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Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci (1952 – April 15, 1986) born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, was a pilot in the United States Air Force.
In 1983, Capt. Ribas-Dominicci was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1985 he completed his master's degree in aeronautical science at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Bunnell, Florida, USA.
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On April 14, 1986, in response to acts of terrorism sponsored by Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi — in particular, the Berlin discotheque bombing of April 6 — and against the backdrop of heightened tension and clashes between the Libyan and U.S. navies over Libya's disputed territorial water claims in the Gulf of Sidra, the United States launched a surprise attack on key facilities in Tripoli and other parts of Libya. The attack was code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon. With the acquiescence of the UK government, 24 USAF F-111F fighter-bombers took off from U.S. airbases in England. Attacking in the pre-dawn hours of April 15, their main objectives were 22 airfields, terrorist training camps, and other military installations. Al-Qaddafi was also personally targeted; he escaped harm, but his daughter was killed.
Capt. Ribas-Dominicci was one of the pilots who participated in the Libyan air raid. His F-111F was shot down in action over the disputed Gulf of Sidra off the Libyan coast. Ribas-Dominicci and his weapons systems officer, Capt. Paul F. Laurence, were the only U.S. casualties of Operation El Dorado Canyon.
After years of denying that they had the bodies of the two crew members, the Libyan authorities returned the remains of Capt. Ribas-Dominicci in response to a request from Pope John Paul II. He was identified by dental records. Capt. Paul Lawrence's remains were never returned. Both men's names are engraved in the F-111 "Vark" Memorial Park located in Clovis, New Mexico. Ribas-Dominicci was awarded the Purple Heart and posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, effective April 15, 1986.
Major Fernando Luis Ribas-Dominicci's remains are buried in his hometown of Utuado. To honor his memory the Government of Puerto Rico renamed the Isla Grande Airport in San Juan to Fernando Ribas Dominicci Airport. The City of Utuado honored its fallen hero by naming a main avenue as Fernando Ribas-Dominicci Ave. Ribas-Dominicci's name is engraved in "El Monumento de la Recordación" (Memorial Monument) located in San Juan.