Staff Sgt. David H. Gutierrez

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. David H. Gutierrez, 35, of San Fransico, Ca., died Dec. 25 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with an improvised explosive device in Howz-e Madad. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
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Army Staff Sgt. David H. Gutierrez, 35, a father of three with extensive family connections in Gilroy, died in Afghanistan on Christmas Day, killed by a hidden roadside bomb.
He will be buried in Gilroy, but memorial service details have not been finalized at this time.
Insurgents bombed Sgt. Gutierrez's patrol with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced Sunday.
Sgt. Gutierrez was deployed from Alpha Company 2-1 5th Brigade Stryker Unit out of Fort Lewis in Washington state. He was on dismounted patrol in Howz-e Madad when he was killed, according to the Department of Defense. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
Gutierrez enlisted Oct. 22, 1998, in San Francisco. He previously deployed to Camp Casey in Korea from September 2000 to August 2001 and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii from October 2001 through May 2008.
"On behalf of the entire Fort Lewis military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Gutierrez," said Joe Kubistek, representative for Fort Lewis Public Affairs.
Gutierrez's family wrote that he met and married Patty Smith in December 1996 in Las Vegas, Nev., after attending San Jose City College. Their first of three sons, Andrew Daniel Gutierrez, was born Nov. 3, 1997. Jeremiah joined the family in 2003 and Gabriel in 2005.
In 2008, Patty was pregnant with their fourth child, a girl. Later on in the pregnancy, it was discovered she had a chromosome disorder called Trisomy 18, more commonly referred to as Edward's Disease. Reyna Patricia Gutierrez was born silently Oct. 2, 2008 at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis and was laid to rest in Gilroy.
Gutierrez played fullback for an amateur football team, the South Sound Shockers, starting in the spring of 2007.
Coach Steve Matychowiak said this morning that Gutierrez inspired him.
"David was aces," he said. "When people die, I know they are often put up on a pedestal, but he really was a wonderful guy - he inspired me.
"He was married 12 years or so, and he told me this year that he was just as head over heels for his wife as when he first knew she was the one. That's how he inspired me ... he was always smiling and you could tell he loved to be on the field."
Gutierrez was slated to receive the coveted Black Lion football award - an award given for commitment and selflessness - this January.
Coach Matychowiak said that "Gutie's" award will certainly be presented to his family. Gutierrez's wife served as the team's photographer and the three Gutierrez sons could be seen roaming the sidelines of Shocker football games, according to the team's Web site.
Gutierrez was assigned to Fort Lewis May 8, 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in July. This was his second deployment.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (twice), Army Achievement Medal (four) Army Good Conduct Medal (three awards), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Air Assault Badge.