‘04 Ramadi 2/4 Marines share a unique bond. Both senior Marines, who have served in various units before and after 2/4, and junior Marines, who have stayed on and served elsewhere, agree that our deployment was extraordinary. No other unit has garnered the same affection during their time in the Corps. This is my attempt to explain why the '04 Battle of Ramadi Marines were a special breed. We were all forged in the fires of stress before facing combat.
May 29th, 2004 is a day that changed the future for the Marines of Weapons platoon Echo Company 2nd Battalion 4th Marines. Jimmy was on a routine operation with his platoon, but little did he know that in a few minutes his life would be different forever. Listen to how an explosion from a vehicle born improvised explosive attack. These are the stories from the men who put their lives on the front lines for America’s interest.
16 Mar 2026
Ramadi Days ep 8 - May Days May Days
The months are heating up for the young men who made up the Magnificent Bastards of Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. April left a leadership gap amongst the lower ranks, and Tor was promoted to leading his brothers who were Belligerent Bastards. The loss of life switched Tor from a carefree Marine, who only cared about his weapon, gear, and self; to a concerned leader. The lives of his brothers was in his hands. Learn how stress affects leaders on the battle field, and how young men in our armed forces are forced to grow under pressure. Tune in to another wonderful episode of Ramadi Days (https://ramadidays.com).
9 Mar 2026
We Are Killers Not Murderers
Theo Tor takes you through the streets of Ramadi, Iraq in May of 2004. The deployment was dangerous and full of gun fights. This is important for us to understand the effects of war and the trauma that lasts. Theo also points out how the US Marine Corps is a professional Killers organization.
2 Mar 2026
What’s Beef? April 10th Revenge Part 2
In the second installment of this intense series, the battlefield shifts from the desert to the psyche as the true cost of combat is laid bare.
“Beef ain’t over till someone rests in the dirt.” On April 10, 2004, the streets of Ramadi weren’t just a war zone—they were a testing ground for a brotherhood forged in fire. In What Is Beef? April 10 Revenge Part 2, host Theophilus Tor takes you back inside the chaos of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines.
Driven by the raw need for vengeance after losing their brothers-in-arms, Tor’s platoon plunges deeper into the insurgent-filled city. This isn’t a story about tactical victories; it’s a visceral look at the close-quarters gunfights and the terrifying reality of life inside a courtyard outhouse under fire.
In this episode, you’ll experience:
• The Breaking Point: How Tor and his fellow Magnificent Bastards survived both the enemy in front.
• Failed Leadership: The shocking account of a panicked officer whose mistake pushed a young Marine directly into the enemy's sights.
• The hidden costs of War: A firsthand look at how wartime casualties impact families.
From heart-pounding firefights to the silent weight of sacrifice, this episode pulls no punches in its portrayal of urban warfare.
Listen now to hear the unfiltered truth of survival on one of the Marines' darkest days.
23 Feb 2026
What’s Beef? April 10th Revenge pt 1
"Beef ain't over till someone rests in the dirt."
In this gripping episode of Ramadi Days, host Theophilus Tor takes listeners back to the chaotic streets of Iraq during the Battle of Ramadi. Recounting the events of April 10th, 2004, Tor—then a 20-year-old Marine in Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines—shares a raw and unfiltered look at urban warfare. Fueled by vengeance after losing their brothers in arms, Tor’s platoon embarks on a relentless mission to root out insurgents embedded in the city.
From the intense bond formed with fellow outcasts during a "boot drop" to the terrifying reality of close-quarters firefights, this episode pulls no punches.
In this episode, we cover:
The True Meaning of "Beef": Why the fight against the enemy is a lifelong commitment on the battlefield.
Close-Quarters Combat: Heart-pounding accounts of cornering an insurgent in a windowless structure and surviving a frantic gunfight from inside a courtyard outhouse.
The Unbreakable Brotherhood: How Tor, Texador, Soto, and Reed forged a lifelong bond despite facing prejudice and hazing from senior Marines.
A Betrayal on the Rooftop: A shocking display of failed leadership when an officer’s panic pushes a young Marine directly into the line of enemy fire.
With adrenaline, fear, and a fierce loyalty to the men on his left and right, Tor's firsthand account of survival and sacrifice will leave you speechless. This is part one of the harrowing events of April 10th—you won't want to miss it.
20 Feb 2026
Tears For The Dead
April 6th 2004, the imbedded insurgency decided to come out and fight us gun to gun. The battles were daily, until the insurgents realized that they could not beat us with one-on-one fighting. This episode dives into the deaths that we sustained when the fighting started, and a death of a friend that I witnessed up close. It was LCLP Eric Ayon’s last mission. He was supposed to head home after that, but he never made it.
18 Feb 2026
Living Through An Explosion
You never forget your first near death experience. This episode talks about the first time I was in an explosion. It wasn’t the last, but it was definitely memorable. The streets of Ramadi were littered with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). Our unit stopped waiting for EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) and decided to self detonate IEDs ourselves. This account was of the day when my fellow Marines self detonated an IED without knowing that I was right next to the IED.
17 Feb 2026
This Ain’t SASO Anymore
SASO (Security And Stablility Operations) turn into combat operations as attacks intensify. Our unit quickly went from winning the hearts and minds of the population, to fighting an imbedded insurgency. We didn’t know that we were there to fight in the Super Bowl of Jihad, but we learned quickly after taking our first casualties.
16 Feb 2026
Welcome to Ramadi
A few have undertaken the monumental task of describing USMC 1st Marines Battallion 2/4 Echo Company 2004 combat deployment to Ar Ramadi, Iraq. In the deployment mistakes were made, men distinguished themselves, and lessons were learned that trained warfighters on modern urban combat. Theophilus Tor is an African American Marine who details the deployment from his eyes. Take a listen to learn what it was like being a black man serving in the infantry on the streets of Ramadi.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact Ramadi Days
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Ramadi Days?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
