SFC Gary J. Vasquez

29 September 2008, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Highland, Illinois, Sergeant First Class Gary J. Vasquez was killed on 29 September 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, by an improvised explosive device. He was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Vasquez enlisted in the Army in January 2000 as a Cavalry Scout and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

SFC Vasquez was serving as an Engineer Sergeant in 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at the time of his death. It was his third deployment to Afghanistan.