Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, R.I.P.

Name: Army Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos

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Age: 27

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From: Tucson, Ariz.

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Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

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Incident: Army Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Also killed were Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, Spc. Stephan L. Mace, Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, Sgt. Michael P. Scusa and Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson.

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Died: October 03, 2009

A Tucson man was one of eight soldiers killed in Afghanistan after a 12-hour battle at his outpost in the Nuristan province on Saturday, the Department of Defense confirmed Wednesday.

Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos died from wounds suffered in the attack. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., just outside of Colorado Springs.

Hundreds of insurgents attacked the outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fires during the deadliest assault on U.S. forces in more than a year. More than 100 insurgents died. The Pentagon announced after the attack that commanders were already making plans to abandon the outpost because of limited resources.

Gallegos joined the Army in May 2003 and deployed to Iraq for his first tour in November 2005, and again in March 2007 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His final deployment was to Afghanistan in May 2009 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Gallegos was honored with numerous awards, including two Purple Hearts. His family was notified that he will be awarded a third Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his final efforts in Afghanistan.

Bessie Guadiana-Hoffman, a close friend and boss of Gallegos' mother, spoke on behalf of the family. "Justin and all of the men that were there that day had the same heart and gave the ultimate sacrifice," she said.

Justin Gallegos worked for Guadiana-Hoffman at her manufacturing company for two years beginning in 2002. She remembers him as dedicated worker.

"He was a gung-ho young individual who enjoyed order and continuity," Guadiana-Hoffman said. "He was a leader and a take-charge individual. Justin is a big void to fill."

Gallegos was moving up quickly in the Army and was about to become a staff sergeant, Guadiana-Hoffman said.

Gallegos left behind a 5-year-old son who she said was "the joy of his life."

"He was a wonderful father and the greatest gift in his life was his son," Guadiana-Hoffman said.

Gallegos attended Tucson High Magnet School and graduated from one of Tucson's alternative high schools called Aztec Middle College at the West Pima Campus in December 2000.

"We are proud he was a student at our school at one time," Tucson High Magnet School Principal Abel Morado said. "Our condolences go out to the family and service members who are currently serving our country."

He added both schools would most likely organize a memorial event in the near future in honor of Gallegos.

"We honor and respect the service that Mr. Gallegos gave to our country," Morado said.

A group called "Remembering our fallen brother" was created on Facebook in honor of Gallegos and his service in the Army. Almost 100 people have already joined to pay their respects.

Gallegos is survived by his mother, younger brother, two sisters and his 5-year-old son.

"Once he made a decision, no one could sway his determination," Guadiana-Hoffman said. "To the very last second, he was probably thinking of his fellow servicemen."