Military Branch: Marine Corps; Rank: Sgt

Summary:

Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr. enlisted in the Marine in 2006 when he was 23 years old.

Adan wanted to be an infantryman; however, during this time period that job was closed. Adan enlisted as an open contract knowing and hoping he could be assigned to infantry.

After completing boot camp at Camp Pendleton, where he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Adan was assigned to be a cook and sent to Fort Lee in Virginia for school.

Adan was sent to Iraq in 2007,2008. During Adan's first enlistment, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and Corporal meritoriously. When his contract was going to expire, Adan re-enlisted as infantry.

Once again Adan went to School of Infantry, a week before graduation Adan was invited to join INDOC sniper school. Adan had completed training at MARSOC; however, he had not been selected for special forces, so the sniper team thought he would be suited for a sniper.

Adan wanted more infantry training and wanted to join special forces, he thought joining the sniper team would be a good step towards his goal. Adan went to INDOC March 2010 and was training with the sniper team when he was deployed in March 2011 to Sangin, Afghanistan. Adan was killed in action August 7, 2011, at the age of 29.

Adan was kind, emotional, compassionate, strong-willed, hard-working, quick to laugh and looked for joy in life. His biggest joy was being a father to his three children Athena, Catherine, and Noah.

In a letter he wrote in Afghanistan to his grandmother he said, "But Grandma, it's not just me that could use your prayer. Every Marine here risking his life away from his family and the families that may never see their sons, grandsons, husbands, or brothers again. Every man here can use your prayer. From the highest rank to the lowest. Especially the lowest, because they are the youngest and newest Marines that take the most risks. But they have families that miss them and love them just as much. Pray for their safety and pray for them to be victorious. Grandma, if you could, can you please pray for the innocent children that have to live day after day in this war zone? They live each day trying to live to see the next day and share the dangers of the bullets flying around them as we as Marines do. Our gun bursts wake them up at night, and I can hear them crying after a firefight. It haunts me to know they frequently become victims of our bombs and missile strikes. They are no different from my own children and have a God given right to live in peace and happiness. As for me, don't worry about me. I am in God's hands, and I believe he will see me through this." These words reflect the type of person Adan was. He cared for others, for children, for families. He is deeply missed.

Life Achievements/ Recognitions:

He was on the wrestling team at Ridgeview High School.

He was an altar boy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and helped to organize youth retreats for the parish.

He also believed that Iraqis and Afghans deserved the same rights as Americans.

He was especially sympathetic to Afghan women because he thought they were oppressed, and to the children, because he saw his own kids in them.