Gutierrez, David Hector

Staff Sergeant David Hector Gutierrez was a 35-year-old infantryman from San Francisco, California. He served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, part of the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Washington. His unit deployed to southern Afghanistan in the summer of 2009 as part of Task Force Stryker.

On December 25, 2009, Gutierrez was killed by enemy action at Kandahar Airfield, a major NATO base in Kandahar province. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, he died from wounds sustained during a hostile incident. Specific details of the engagement were not publicly released by the military.

Gutierrez's death occurred during a period of intense fighting in the Taliban heartland of southern Afghanistan. The 5th Stryker Brigade was engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led mission that began in October 2001. The brigade operated in Kandahar and neighboring provinces, conducting counterinsurgency operations and suffering significant casualties during its year-long deployment.

His death was reported by the Department of Defense on December 28, 2009. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. A memorial service was held at Fort Lewis in January 2010.

Staff Sergeant Gutierrez's name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Fort Lewis and on Panel 7W, Line 110 of the Afghanistan Conflict Memorial Wall at the National Infantry Museum. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Staff Sergeant Gutierrez 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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