SSG Mark R. De Alencar

8 April 2017, Afghanistan

Special Forces

Born in Nuremburg, Germany, Staff Sergeant Mark R. De Alencar was killed in action on 8 April 2017 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

De Alencar enlisted in the Army in 2009 as a Cannon Crewmember. After Initial Entry Training he reported to 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Following deployment to Iraq, he graduated from Ranger School and returned to the 25th Infantry Division. De Alencar graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant in September 2016 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

SSG De Alencar was supporting counter-Islamic State operations when he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms fire.