MSG Jose J. Gonzalez

21 August 2019, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of La Puente, California, Master Sergeant Jose J. Gonzalez was killed in action on 21 August 2019 while supporting Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Faryab Province, Afghanistan.

Gonzalez enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2002, and joined the Army in 2007. He served as an Infantryman and Fire Team Leader in the 3rd Brigade, 2rd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 2014, and was assigned as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant in 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Gonzalez’s six prior deployments included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Honduras, and Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

MSG Gonzalez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, when he was fatally wounded during combat operations.