SFC Martin R. Apolinar

29 May 2011, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Glendale, Arizona, Sergeant First Class Martin R. Apolinar died 29 May 2011, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while his unit was conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Apolinar enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 2004. After completing his Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas.

SFC Apolinar graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008 and was assigned as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served until his death.