Cazarez, Roberto
Male
Verified Corporal Roberto Cazarez, 24, of Harbor City, California, was a U.S. Marine killed by hostile fire in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on March 30, 2012.
Their Story
Roberto Cazarez was a 24-year-old Marine corporal from Harbor City, California. He served with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, based at Camp Pendleton. The battalion deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.
On March 30, 2012, Cazarez was killed by hostile fire while conducting operations in the volatile Helmand province. The U.S. Department of Defense announced his death the following day. He was one of at least three U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan that week.
Cazarez died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2012, Helmand province remained a major center of insurgent activity and a focus for ISAF and U.S. Marine Corps operations aimed at stabilizing the region.
His body was returned to the United States. A memorial service was reportedly held at Camp Pendleton. The Los Angeles Daily News noted his death in its coverage of local casualties from the war.
Corporal Cazarez was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His name is inscribed on the South Bay Veterans Memorial in Redondo Beach, California, according to local records.
Explore Further
Cpl. Roberto Cazarez was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
