Army Spc. Roberto L. Martinez-Salazar

Died February 4, 2006 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

---

21, of Long Beach, Calif.; assigned to Company A, 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.; killed Feb. 4 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored Humvee during patrol operations in Mosul, Iraq.

* * * * *

Long Beach combat engineer killed in Iraq blast

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Army Spc. Roberto L. Martinez Salazar died Saturday when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle in Mosul as he patrolled for planted explosives, according to the military.

Martinez Salazar, 21, of Long Beach, planned to get married when he returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq and make a career out of the military, his relatives said.

“He was just a kid, a kid, a lovely kid,” his aunt, Isabel Enciso, said during the combat engineer’s funeral on Monday. “I don’t know why God decided to take him but now he has an angel to sing and praise him. I know he did this for us, for all the people not just for the family, but just for all the people in this country and in Iraq.”

Martinez Salazar was born in Mexico and moved to Long Beach as a child. He enlisted in the Army in March 2003 and recently re-enlisted.

He was a member of Company A, 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Brig. Gen. Robert Cone, commanding general of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, presented Martinez Salazar’s mother with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals, as well as a posthumous U.S. citizenship certificate.

— Associated Press

*******

SPC Roberto L. Martinez-Salazar

Oct. 26, 1984 – Feb. 4, 2006

SPC Roberto L. Martinez was born on Oct. 26, 1984, in Mexico City, Mexico. He moved to the United States with his family to seek a better life, and they settled in Long Beach, California. SPC Martinez’ patriotism spurred his decision to serve in the United States Army. He enlisted on March 20, 2003, as a 21B combat engineer.

Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, SPC Martinez deployed to OIF 03-04 with the 555th EN Group out of Fort Lewis, Washington. When he arrived in country, he became a vehicle gunner for the BDE commander’s personnel security detachment. He worked as a BDE S-3 assistant when he was not out on missions until the 555th EN Group redeployed from Iraq in early 2004. SPC Martinez continued to earn the respect and admiration of the brigade battle captains that he worked for when he returned to Fort Lewis. On Feb. 1, 2005, he was assigned to Alpha Company, “FIDO,” 14th Combat Engineer Battalion, “Rugged.” He found a new family in 2nd Platoon, “Wolf Pack,” and a home in the Army, reenlisting for six more years. In the fall of 2005, SPC Martinez once more answered the nation’s call to serve abroad when the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion, “Rugged,” received orders to deploy to Iraq. In Mosul, his steadfast bravery as a vehicle gunner provided security and safety for the soldiers that patrolled with him. On Feb. 4, 2006, SPC Martinez tragically made the greatest sacrifice while proudly serving his country, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored Humvee during patrol operations. He was a highly respected soldier with the great potential and a promising future. Brig. Gen. Robert Cone, commanding general of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, presented Martinez Salazar’s mother with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals, as well as a posthumous U.S. citizenship certificate.

His education accomplishments include Basic Training and Advanced individual Training, and Primary Leadership Development Course. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (Posthumous), the Purple Heart (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

Martinez Salazar, 21, of Long Beach, planned to get married when he returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq and make a career out of the military, his relatives said. “He was just a kid, a kid, a lovely kid,” his aunt, Isabel Enciso, said during SPC Martinez’ funeral. “I don’t know why God decided to take him but now he has an angel to sing and praise him. I know he did this for us, for all the people not just for the family, but just for all the people in this country and in Iraq.” He is survived by his mother, Manuela Salazar, his father Roberto Martinez and sister, Angela Martinez.