SFC Chad A. Gonsalves

13 February 2006, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Turlock, California, Sergeant First Class Chad A. Gonsalves died 13 February 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle north of Deh Rawood, Afghanistan, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Gonsalves enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in July 1996. He completed his Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment at Schweinfurt, Germany.

SFC Gonsalves completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in November 2001 and was assigned as a Weapons Sergeant to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served until his death.