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KAJAKI, Afghanistan – Marines from 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 in Kajaki, paused to honor Sgt. Jose Luis Saenz III. Saenz was killed in action, Aug 9. He was 30-years-old.
Saenz was a motor transport mechanic with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, India Battery, attached to 1/11.
“Sgt. Saenz epitomized what it is to be a Marine,” said Capt. Richard J. Stinnett, the commanding officer for India Battery. “The imprint he left here will be passed to another generation of Marines, therefore, Sgt. Saenz and his memory will never be forgotten and will live as long as the Corps.”
Saenz leaves behind his wife, Christy Saenz, son, Jose Luis Saenz IV, parents Leonor and Jose Jr., and three sisters, Bettina, Melissa and Patricia.
Saenz attended Pleasanton High School in Pleasanton, Texas, where he played football and was active in art and band. He graduated in 1999 and joined the Marine Corps, June 9, 2003.
Saenz was assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed two times to Iraq. In May, he attached to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Sgt. Saenz was a family man who was a loving husband, and a great father,” said Gunnery Sgt. Octavio Guzman, the Motor Transportation chief for India Battery. “He was a man you could always count on, who was faithful and true to himself and the things he believed in. He will always live in our hearts and minds.
“We will pray for you and your family,” Guzman said, as he looked up to the sky.
Nearly every Marine on Combat Outpost Kajaki attended the memorial and paid their respects to their fallen brother.
“Sgt. Saenz was the type of friend you would only find once in this life,” said Sgt. Joshua Frasier, a section chief for India Battery. “He was someone you could rely on no matter what.”
The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible verses and prayers honoring Saenz.
Final Roll was called and three times for Sgt. Jose Luis Saenz III. Saenz’ name was called only to be answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.
“Sgt. Saenz was a textbook sergeant of Marines,” said Cpl. Jacob Hoag, a motor transportation mechanic with India Battery. “He was everything I tried to mirror. A perfect work ethic, lots of enthusiasm and a great attitude. He was the whole package.”
“He will always be remembered by the men who served with him.” Hoag added. “Not just by India Battery or India Company, but India family, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines.”
Saenz awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2010 05:01 |
| Story ID: | 54754 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 756 |
| Downloads: | 8 |
This work, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment memorializes fallen Marine, by Cpl Daniel Blatter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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