The Pentagon released the names of two soldiers killed by gunfire during combat in Afghanistan.
Both servicemen were special forces and were killed Wednesday in Faryab province in Afghanistan by small arms fire. The Pentagon identified the two as 31-year-old Master Sgt. Luis DeLeon-Figueroa, 31, from Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Master Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, 35, of La Puente, California. Both were promoted to the rank posthumously.
The duo were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. “It was an honor having them serve within the ranks,” Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Group commander, said in a statement. “They were a part of our family, and will not be forgotten,”.
“Our priority is to now provide the best possible care to the families of our fallen warriors. We ask that you keep their families and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”
DeLeon-Figueroa served in the Army for more than 13 years and became a Green Beret in 2014. Once in special forces, he was deployed twice to Afghanistan and twice to South America. He was posthumously promoted to master sergeant and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Gonzalez’s family requested that no photo or additional information about him be released for the time being.
The Wednesday deaths pushed the total number of service members killed in combat while serving in Afghanistan this year to 14, the most in five years. There are about 14,000 U.S. military personnel still in the country, many of whom are providing support to Afghan troops still battling the Taliban.
