Martin Barreras

"Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras was my friend and battle buddy," said Lt. Col. Edward Brady, the battalion commander, in a statement. "I’ve spent more time with him than my wife since I’ve taken command. I believe that I was the luckiest battalion commander in the Army to have him as my command sergeant major.

Barreras was born in Tularosa, New Mexico, in 1964. His family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1974 where he attended and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1982. In 1983, Barreras enlisted in the Marine Corps, six years later he enlisted in the U.S. Army and successfully passed the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) to serve in the 75th Ranger Ranger where he served until 2010. During his military career, he spent most of his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 6 May 2014, Barreras was shot in Afghanistan. Several days later he was returned to the United States, where he died in the San Antonio medical hospital.

Barreras became the top enlisted soldier for 2nd Battalion in March 2013. The unit is part of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Barreras joined the Army in 1988 after serving in the Marine Corps for five years, according to information from the division.

Martin Barreras (October 7, 1964 - May 13, 2014) was an American Army non-commissioned officer who held the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and played a crucial role into the rescue of Jessica Lynch in 2003.

He served for 22 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in 1st and 2nd Battalions, the Special Troops Battalion and the regimental headquarters.