POSTED: 2:57 pm EST March 2, 2006
UPDATED: 2:57 pm EST March 2, 2006
FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- A North Carolina-based Green Beret was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle in Afghanistan this week, the Department of Defense said Thursday.
Master Sgt. Emigdio E. Elizarraras, 37, of Pico Rivera, Calif., died Tuesday north of Tarin Kowt while he was on a reconnaissance patrol. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 7th Special Forces Group.
Elizarraras joined the Army about 20 years ago and deployed in the first Gulf War. He had also been stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Benning, Ga. and in Hawaii. He volunteered for Special Forces in 1997.
Elizarraras also was a Ranger and his awards include four Army Commendation medals.
Surviving are Elizarraras' wife, Kris, two daughters and a son, all of Fayetteville. He also is survived by parents, Emigdio and Martha Elizarraras, of Pico Rivera, Calif., and a sister.
His family said in a statement released by the Army that he "gave his life for his country _ protecting our freedoms, our families and America's way of life."
http://www.wral.com/apncnews/4769662/detail.html