President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence left their rally in New Hampshire and attended the dignified transfer of Sgt. 1st Class Javier Gutierrez and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rodriguez, who were killed in Afghanistan while conducting combat operations on February 8, at Dover Air Force Base.
Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas and Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died on February 8 as they engaged a gunman in an Afghan Army uniform. Fox News reports six others were wounded during the attack.
Gutierrez and Rodriguez were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Both men were posthumously promoted to Sgt. 1st Class and awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
"Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez was a warrior that exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, both values that we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group. Our priority now is to take care of his family and teammates, we will provide the best possible care possible during these trying times," Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander said about Gutierrez.
"Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in our unit," Sannes said about Rodriguez. "Here at the Red Empire, we take care of our own, and Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez’ family will forever be a part of us, we will assist them in any way we can to help them through these trying times."
.@realDonaldTrump and @VP Pence look on during a Dignified Transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware for two US Soldiers who killed during a US-Afgan operation in the Nangarhar province in easter Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/ny9lcRbMZc
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) February 11, 2020
Just returned to White House from Dover. Very sad! https://t.co/0Ld0gzXdLe
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020