Bruce C. Salazar Jr., 24

Army, Private 1st Class

Based: Ft. Stewart, Ga.

1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: July 6, 2007

Baghdad (eastern part), Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Tracy

High School: Davis Senior High (Davis)

Burial: Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, Calif.

He didn't understand why we were in Iraq ... why we weren't looking for Osama. He didn't approve of it. But he was going to serve his country, right or wrong.

— Alicia Salazar, sister

Salazar would call home whenever he could. One of his last requests to his mom was to mail him a book so he could learn about becoming a pilot, and a baseball mitt so he could play catch.

Times obituary

« Steven Phillip Daugherty, 07/06/2007

James M. Ahearn, 07/05/2007 »

Four memories of Bruce C. Salazar Jr.

My brother fought for the freedom of his country and gave it with his life. I thank him everyday for that. I miss you and i love you jun bug!

— Monika Salazar,sister

September 3, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.

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thank you a lot for fight for are country an fight for freedom so R.I.P bro

— cory gonzalis

October 1, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.

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I miss you very much . Thinking of you always .

love you

— Angela Armenta

April 20, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.

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Today at Travis AFB, we put on a 6 mile ruck march for the Gold Star Moms who have lost a child in the war. I was given a laminated picture of Bruce, whom I have never known. It also had some info of where he was born and went to school. I attached it to my belt loop with a zip tie and completed the 6 miles for him, placing 2nd among 47 other people. When I got home I wanted to look him up and read some more about him. From what I have read he was an amazing person and cared so much about his family and friends. I feel proud to have represented your son today, he gave everything for his country and he will NEVER be forgotten!!

— SSgt Byerly

May 21, 2011 at 10:40 p.m.

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About this project
Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org
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California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 700 California servicemembers and 474 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.