| SSgt Raymond J. Plouhar United States Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
Raymond Plouhar in the 2004 movie, Fahrenheit 9/11. |
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| Born | May 26, 1976 Lake Orion, Michigan |
| Died | June 26, 2006 (aged 30) Anbar Province, Iraq |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1995 - 2006 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
Raymond James Bryon Anthony Charles Plouhar (May 26, 1976–June 26, 2006) was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps killed by a roadside bomb in the Anbar Province of Iraq, while serving in the Iraq War on June 26, 2006. His death raised media attention because he had been filmed in 2004 in the politically charged Michael Moore documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11.
Plouhar was acting as a recruiter for the Marine Corps at the time he was filmed by Moore, whose film portrayed Plouhar attempting to enlist recruits in Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan. At the time, Plouhar was then taking time off from active duty in the wake of his having donated a kidney to an uncle.[1] Plouhar's father reported that his son willingly allowed himself to be filmed, and was unaware that Moore was making a film critical of the Iraq War.[2] Other Marines filmed in the segment claimed they were deceived, saying they were not told that the filming was associated with Moore, or would be used to criticize their activities. They did not make explicit whether they had asked the purpose of the film; however, the Marines indicated that Moore's crew represented themselves as a New York based television production company, Westside Productions, interested in making a small documentary on high school career choices.[3]
A ten-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Plouhar was an infantry unit leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. He had been part of a unit engaged in projects to rebuild and revitalize schools in Iraq. He reportedly had 38 days left on his tour of duty at the time of his death.[2] He is survived by his wife and two children.[4]