Army Private First Class Brian Bates

Army Private First Class Brian Russell Bates Jr., 20, of Gretna, Louisiana, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington. He died on October 27, 2009, in Loy Kariz, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his Stryker vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.

PFC Bates was born May 13, 1989, and was raised from age four by his grandmother. He graduated from West Jefferson High School in Harvey, Louisiana, in 2007. After marrying Enjolie and becoming a father, he joined the Army in November 2008 at age 19, intending to build a military career and provide for his family. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Friends described PFC Bates as funny, honest and hardworking, and said that he loved his wife and two young children “with everything in him”. His wife said that Brian loved the Army and “liked the idea of fighting for his country. He believed in it.”

PFC Bates was survived by his wife and two children.