Rafael Martinez, Jr., 36

Army, Specialist

Based: Ft. Carson, Colo.

7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom

Died: October 14, 2010

Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan

Married, 2 children

Gender: Male

Hometown: Spring Valley

High School: Reedley High (Reedley)

Foreign Country of Birth: Mexico

Burial: Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego

Martinez was one of three soldiers killed Oct. 14 while conducting combat operations between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. He grew up in a housing project in Stockton. After a troubled youth, Martinez turned to a military career in spite of vigorous objections from his parents and the difficulty of convincing recruiters that he would be a productive soldier despite his criminal history.

James D. Boelk, 10/15/2010

Joseph C. Lopez, 10/14/2010

20 memories of Rafael Martinez, Jr.

“

With a heavy heart I share with you today, i knew Ralph first hand, being his wife for 13 years. I loved him dearly with all my heart. Temptation struck me when i didnt have my husband to hold and love. (No one would understand.) Him and I, we did have a bond and I shared half my life with him. I am happy to say he did a great turn around in serving our contry I am proud of what a great solder he became. He died for our country. I wish he was still alive to enjoy his life with his kids and beautiful wife. I will never regreat my life with Raph we grow apart, but we grew up, matured together. I am happy to have had the opportunity to communicate before his last departure, he expressed how happy he was with his daughter, wife, and new baby boy. He shared family photos and we Ended our conversation as friends and a stepping stone in life of part of growing up. God bless his family may they always feel Ralph's love surrounding YOU he extended his love to everyone who knew him. In he loved with his whole heart.

” — Veronica, April 11, 2017 at 8:35 a.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Rafael Martinez, Jr., 36

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20 memories of Rafael Martinez, Jr.

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