{"id":47125,"date":"2019-08-22T23:23:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T23:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/08\/22\/two-green-berets-killed-in-afghanistan-identified\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:57:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:57:52","slug":"two-green-berets-killed-in-afghanistan-identified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/08\/22\/two-green-berets-killed-in-afghanistan-identified\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Green Berets killed in Afghanistan identified"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Army has identified two Special Forces soldiers <\/a>killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, as the casualties in the country hit the highest level in five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Sgt. Luis F. DeLeon-Figueroa, 31, and Master Sgt. Jose J. Gonzalez, 35, were killed during combat operations in Faryab province<\/a>, located in the far northwest of Afghanistan along the border with Turkmenistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both soldiers were assigned to 7th Special Forces Group<\/a> at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. They were posthumously promoted to master sergeant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was an honor having them serve within the ranks of 7th SFG (A). They were a part of our family, and will not be forgotten,\u201d said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Group commander, in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur priority is to now provide the best possible care to the families of our fallen warriors,\u201d Sannes added. \u201cWe ask that you keep their families and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Master
Master Sgt. Jose Gonzalez (DoD)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gonzalez, a native of La Puente, California, first arrived at 7th Group\u2019s 1st Battalion in 2014. He had served 17 years in the military, previously deploying twice as a Marine in 2003 and 2005, as well as an Army infantryman in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gonzalez completed Special Forces Qualification Course in 2014. As a Green Beret, he deployed to South America in 2014 and 2018, and to Afghanistan in 2016 and 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals and the Combat Action Ribbon. During his career, he earned the Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Special Operations Diver Supervisor Badge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeLeon-Figueroa was a native of Chicopee, Massachusetts, who had served more than 13 years in the Army and deployed six times during his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He deployed as an infantryman to Iraq in 2008, and to Afghanistan in 2010. As a Green Beret, he deployed to South America in 2015 and 2018, and to Afghanistan in 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\t