Army Spc. Michael A. Martinez
Death: Sep 08, 2004
" of Juan Diaz Puerto Rico; assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Field Artillery based in Bamberg Germany; killed Sept. 8 when his military vehicle rolled over in Baqubah Iraq. Michael Martinez was starting his second tour of duty in Iraq and was excited to be there. ""He was all for going to Iraq said Sgt. Randy Miller. I think he felt it was something he had to do as a soldier. He wanted to go there and be with the unit."" Martinez29 of Juan Diaz Puerto Rico died Sept. 8 when his military vehicle rolled over in Baqubah Iraq. He was based in Bamberg Germany and had deployed to Iraq just three days before his death. Martinez joined the Army a month after the Sept. 11 attacks as a cannon crew member and earned his air assault badge at Fort Campbell Ky. ""He was a likeable guy always trying to make people laugh; you really wanted to know him Miller said. He was a family man. He couldn't wait to get his wife over here and his Chihuahua who was like a baby to him."" Martinez is survived by his wife Sarah. — Associated Press"