Chaves, Avadon Alfred

Also known as: SPC, COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 6TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 2ND BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, FORT BLISS, TX

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedDecember 20, 2017

Age20 years old

Location of DeathAL ASAD AIRBASE, IRAQ

Cause of DeathDied of wounds sustained from indirect fire during an attack on Al Asad Airbase.

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

U.S. Army Specialist Avadon Alfred Chaves, 20, of Turlock, California, was killed in action on December 20, 2017, while deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Their Story

Avadon Alfred Chaves was a 20-year-old soldier from Turlock, California. He served as a Specialist in Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Bliss, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Chaves died on December 20, 2017, at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq's Anbar province. The official release stated he died of wounds sustained during indirect fire. The base, a major coalition installation, was reportedly targeted by rocket or mortar attacks that month.

Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led military campaign against the Islamic State (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria. It began in August 2014. By late 2017, major combat operations had shifted from seizing territory to advising Iraqi forces and conducting counter-terrorism missions, though coalition bases remained targets.

The Department of Defense announced Chaves's death on December 22, 2017. His body was returned to the United States. A local news report from his hometown noted his death was the first combat fatality from Turlock since 2011.

Specialist Chaves was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. His name is inscribed on the California Veterans Memorial in Sacramento and is listed on the Global War on Terrorism memorial at Fort Bliss.