Gonzales, Adan Jr

Adan Gonzales Jr. was born in Bakersfield, California. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a sergeant with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Camp Pendleton, California. His unit deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

On August 7, 2011, Sgt. Gonzales was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, a volatile region in southern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense stated his death was the result of hostile action. He was 28 years old.

Gonzales died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2011, a surge of U.S. forces had been deployed to Helmand and Kandahar provinces to counter Taliban influence. The period was marked by intense fighting in agricultural districts and along key transit routes.

His death was reported by the Department of Defense and local news outlets in California. He was survived by his family in Bakersfield. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines had sustained multiple casualties during its 2010-2011 deployment to the Sangin district of Helmand, an area known for widespread improvised explosive device (IED) use and fierce engagements.

Sgt. Gonzales is memorialized on the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines' unit memorial and is listed on the Afghanistan War casualty rolls. His name is included in the 'Faces of the Fallen' project by the Washington Post, which documented U.S. service members killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr. 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.

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