SFC Javier J. Gutierrez, Jr.

8 February 2020, Afghanistan

Special Forces

Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Sergeant First Class Javier J. Gutierrez, Jr. died on 8 February 2020 while supporting Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

Gutierrez enlisted in the Army in 2009. After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training and Airborne School, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2013, he attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2015. Gutierrez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant. He deployed to Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL during his career.

SFC Gutierrez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, when he was fatally wounded by an insider attack.