Marine Corps Sergeant Jose Saenz III

Sergeant Jose Luis Saenz III, 30, of Pleasanton, Texas, was assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, attached to the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He was killed on August 9, 2010, in Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while leading a patrol during combat operations.

Born January 27, 1980, in San Antonio, Saenz graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1999, where he played football and participated in band and art. Inspired to serve following September 11, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2003. A motor transport mechanic, he served overseas before deploying to Afghanistan in May 2010. Although qualified to remain at the base maintaining vehicles, Sgt. Saenz volunteered to serve as a provisional infantry squad leader, accompanying his Marines on dangerous patrols in enemy territory.

Sgt Saenz was remembered for his humor, loyalty, and devotion to his Marines. Friends described him as a loving husband, wonderful father, and dependable friend, saying “He was someone you could rely on no matter what.”

Sgt Saenz was survived by his wife and son.