Jacob Martir-Gutierrez – Age 21
Army Specialist
Norwich
(2004 - Iraq)

Army SPC Jacob David Martir-Gutierrez February 22, 1983 – August 18, 2004.  He was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico to Jose W. Martir (U.S. Army Vietnam-era veteran) and Lydia Gutierrez. He lived in Humacao, Puerto Rico before moving to Norwich, Connecticut.  He attended Norwich Free Academy briefly, earned his high school equivalence diploma at Westover Job Corps Center in Chicopee, Massachusetts, then enlisted when he was 17.

Martir-Gutierrez was killed when his patrol came under small arms fire in Sadr City, Iraq. He served with Alpha Troop, 2nd  Battalion, 5th  Cavalry Regiment, 1st  Cavalry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas. The division had seen heavy fighting since being sent to Iraq in March and had been scheduled to return in March 2005. At his funeral, Martir-Gutierrez was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for meritorious service.

Information: findagrave.com