A soldier from San Francisco was killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Day, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Army Staff Sgt. David H. Gutierrez, 35, died Friday after suffering injuries when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with an improvised explosive device near the village of Howz-e Madad. He was taken to Kandahar Air Field where he was pronounced dead.
Gutierrez earned several awards during his years of service including the Army Commendation Medal (twice), the Army Good Conduct Medal (three times) the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Air Assault Badge.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, Washington.
