Special Forces veteran killed in Afghanistan
Published: Fri, Mar. 03, 2006 12:00AM
Modified Fri, Mar. 03, 2006 07:26AM
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closeA veteran Fort Bragg Special Forces soldier was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday when a bomb exploded near his Humvee, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command announced Thursday.
Master Sgt. Emigdio E. Elizarraras, 37, died during a reconnaissance north of Tarin Kowt. Elizarraras was an intelligence sergeant assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
A native of Pico Rivera, Calif., Elizarraras first enlisted in the Army in 1986 as an infantryman. He served in the Persian Gulf War and volunteered for Special Forces training in 1997.
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Elizarraras is survived by his wife, Kris, daughters Sally and Olivia and a son, Andrew. His parents, Emigdio and Martha of Pico Rivera, and sister, Leticia, of Peoria, Ariz., also survive him.
Elizarraras' family was unavailable for comment Thursday, but in a prepared statement they noted that Elizarraras respected the colleagues he fought alongside, and they thanked the special operations community and others for their support and expressions of sympathy.
"He gave his life for this country -- protecting our freedoms, our families and America's way of life," the statement said.
Staff writer Thomasi McDonald can be reached at 829-4533 or tcmcdonal@newsobserver.com.
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