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Army Command Sergeant Major Martin Barreras, a 49-year-old from Tucson, died earlier this week at a hospital in San Antonio, a week after being wounded in Afghanistan.
Barreras is the 50th soldier from Arizona to die in connection with the war in Afghanistan.
See also:
–Joshua Silverman: 49th Arizona Soldier to Die in Afghanistan
–Jonam Russell: 48th Arizona Soldier to Die in Afghanistan
According to a statement from the Department of Defense, Barreras died “from wounds suffered on May 6, in Harat Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.”
The Army Times reports Barreras joined the Army in 1988 — after serving five years in the Marine Corps — and served 22 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment.
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He’d been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan several times, according to the report.
Fox News also reports that another Ranger says Barreras was involved in the rescue of Jessica Lynch in Iraq in 2003.
The Army Times says Barreras has a wife, two daughters, and a son.
Fifty-two Arizonans have died in “Operation Enduring Freedom,” with 50 of the deaths related to operations in Afghanistan, where Pat Tillman was the first Arizonan killed back in April 2004.
Ninety-eight Arizona soldiers died during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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