Marine Sergeant Captured & Killed During Ambush in Iraq in 2003

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine veteran, Aaron Rodriguez. Aaron was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 during the Invasion of Iraq in March of 2003. While convoying supplies near the city of Nasiriyah his unit was ambushed with heavy enemy fire. Shortly after the ambush took place, they realized Marine, Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez was missing and had been captured. Aaron speaks about his frustration with their commander deciding not to go recover Sgt. Padilla and the toll it took on his unit. Eventually, Sgt. Padilla’s remains were recovered by 2/2 Fox company, part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the time.

This interview is powerful, as Aaron is an intelligent speaker who really delivers his memories with detail and emotion making you feel for him and his unit during the time Sgt. Padilla was captured, as well as numerous other moments in this interview.

As we always say, the courage it takes to sit in the chair with Urban Valor as a military veteran, whether it be a combat veteran or not, or whether the veteran is a Marine, Army, Air Force, Navy, or another branch of the Military.

As a combat veteran, this Marine experienced much there is to experience in the military. His story is a true testament to the courage and strength of the military. We're honored to hear Aaron Rodriguez's story and learn more about his experience in Iraq. We share his story to raise awareness about the effects of combat, the decisions and hardships military members face while serving, and also to detail more information about the Invasion of Iraq, War on Terror, and the sacrifices of the military who served during these time, as well as other wars and time periods.

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