Gary J. Vasquez, born November 12, 1974, served as a sergeant 1st class in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. A native of Highland, Illinois, he entered the U.S. Army in January 2000 as a cavalry scout, trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was assigned to Troop A, 1st Battalion 17th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2002, earned the Green Beret in 2004, and then served with 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant. He graduated from Highland High School in 1992 and earned a B.A. in Theater from Illinois State University in 1996. Remembered as a friend to many, an admired brother, a loving son, and the beloved husband of Sarah Vasquez, he was one of three soldiers killed on September 29, 2008, when his vehicle struck an enemy improvised explosive device during a combat reconnaissance patrol near Yakhchal in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. During his service he received many awards and decorations, including two Bronze Star Medals.