Martin Barreras

Martin Barreras (October 7, 1964 - May 13, 2014) was an American Army non-commissioned officer who held the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and played a crucial role into the rescue of Jessica Lynch in 2003.

Barreras was born in Tularosa, New Mexico, in 1964. His family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1974 where he attended and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1982. In 1983, Barreras enlisted in the Marine Corps, six years later he enlisted in the U.S. Army and successfully passed the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) to serve in the 75th Ranger Ranger where he served until 2010. During his military career, he spent most of his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 6 May 2014, Barreras was shot in Afghanistan. Several days later he was returned to the United States, where he died in the San Antonio medical hospital.

Per The Army Times:

The senior enlisted soldier for 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment has died from wounds suffered in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Barreras, 49, of Tucson, Arizona, died Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas. He died from wounds suffered on May 6 in Herat province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire, according to information released by DoD.

Barreras became the top enlisted soldier for 2nd Battalion in March 2013. The unit is part of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Elements of 2nd Battalion deployed to Afghanistan in December, according to information from the 1st Armored Division.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras was my friend and battle buddy," said Lt. Col. Edward Brady, the battalion commander, in a statement. "I’ve spent more time with him than my wife since I’ve taken command. I believe that I was the luckiest battalion commander in the Army to have him as my command sergeant major.

"While every soldier in this formation is extremely saddened by his loss, his Bobcats are doing exactly what he would expect of us: continuing on with the mission and taking the fight to the enemy. This man would do absolutely anything and everything to ensure his soldiers came home safely."

Barreras joined the Army in 1988 after serving in the Marine Corps for five years, according to information from the division.

He served for 22 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in 1st and 2nd Battalions, the Special Troops Battalion and the regimental headquarters.

In the Ranger Regiment, Barreras served in virtually every enlisted duty and leadership position and completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Restore/Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and other special operations contingency missions.

Following his time with the Ranger Regiment, Barreras was the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V device, Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four stars, Combat Infantryman Badge with one star, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge with bronze star, Military Freefall Badge and Pathfinder Badge.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers, three children, three grandchildren and his wife.