Marine Corps Sergeant Adan Gonzales Jr

Sergeant Adan J. Gonzales Jr., 28, of Bakersfield, California, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He was killed on August 7, 2011, in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, after being struck by enemy small-arms fire during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt Gonzales graduated from Ridgeview High School, where he was on the wrestling team. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2006, motivated by a desire to protect others and serve his country. During his five-year career, he completed a deployment to Iraq, and eventually became an infantryman attached to a scout sniper platoon. He served as a machine gunner and was preparing to attend Scout Sniper School. Before deploying to Afghanistan in March 2011, he studied the language and customs of the Afghan people.

Sgt Gonzales was remembered for his compassion, determination, devotion to his fellow Marines and his willingness to help anyone who was hurting.

Sgt Gonzales was survived by his wife and three children.