Army Staff Sgt. Martin R Apolinar

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Martin R Apolinar, 28, of Glendale, Ariz.

SSgt Apolinar was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died May 29, 2011 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Capt. Joseph W. Schultz and Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo.

SSgt Apolinar was killed when an improvised explosive device struck the vehicle he was traveling in with his Special Forces team on a mounted patrol.

SSgt Apolinar grew up in Phoenix. He graduated from Trevor Browne High School in 2001 and was voted "prettiest eyes" by his senior class.

SSgt Apolinar enlisted in the U.S. Army three years after he graduated. He served as a rifleman, machine-gunner and team leader at Fort Riley, Kan. In 2008 he completed his Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., becoming a member of the Airborne Special Forces. This was his second deployment, having previously been deployed to Iraq.

SSgt Apolinar's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Overseas Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutists Badge
Special Forces Tab
Ranger Tab

SSgt Apolinar is survived by his mother, Susan, father, Gene; wife, Elisa, son, Martin; two brothers, Michael and Eddie

Army Staff Sgt. Martin R Apolinar was killed in action on 5/29/11.