CPL. ADAM GALVEZ
KILLED IN ACTION AUGUST 20, 2006 - RAWAH, IRAQ
Adam was born April 2, 1985 in California. He was a fun, energetic young boy. He had an older sister Sarah and a younger brother Travis. At age 7, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Adam became a Boy Scout attaining the level of Life. He loved sports and played baseball for many years. He enjoyed skateboarding and snowboarding. Cars however became his true love whether it was racing them or working on them. Adam’s Acrua Integra was his ultimate prized possession that he would only be willing to give up for his dream car, a Toyota Supra.
Adam was always the 
“life of the party” kind of person. People gravitated towards him. His smile and sense of humor were unstoppable. One smile from Adam and the girls would “melt.” He lived life on the edge and had a great sense of adventure. Although he found his share of mischief and trouble, he had a deeply compassionate heart. He would do anything to help out a friend.
Following high school, Adam joined the Marine Corps. He became a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) mechanic and was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion in Twenty-nine Palms, California.
There he worked as an LAV mechanic and driver. 3rd LAR deployed to Iraq in March of 2006. At Camp Korean Village in Al Anbar Province, Adam repaired and maintained Light Armored Vehicles. He reported for work daily and put in very long, hard hours. Adam jumped at the chance to leave the confines of the base and move to the “front lines” when he was asked to replace a Marine who had been injured in an attack. Adam became part of Delta Company which was away from base living out of their LAV’s for weeks at a time.
It was his job to keep the all LAV’s in his platoon running while they were on the move. One Marine said “Adam’s LAV’s ran faster and better than any of the others,” which isn’t surprising and he jokingly added “you had to be careful to handle the LAV just right or Adam would know. He would tell us we weren’t treating the LAV with enough respect.”
On July 29, 2006, Adam was operating at a Traffic Control Point in the city of Rawah, in Al Anbar Province. He was in a fortified bunker when a suicide truck bomb detonated collapsing the building and trapping Adam and several other Marines. Despite being injured, Adam freed himself from beneath the rubble and began digging out the other Marines while taking small arms fire from the enemy. Realizing he needed a shovel which was in the LAV, Adam ran unprotected and without armor through gunfire to the LAV, got a shovel, then ran back to help dig out the other Marines. Sadly, four Marines died in that attack.
Adam refused medical treatment until all the Marines were cared for. He spent several days recovering, then convinced medical personnel to allow him to return to his unit and resume his duties. He returned to Camp Rawah on August 10th, just in time to attend the memorial service being
held for the four Marines lost in that attack.
August 20, 2006 was Adam’s first day back to regular duty. 
The LAV with a six men aboard, a driver, a gunner, a vehicle commander, a Navy corpsman and two scouts set out on patrol. About 2:00 PM the LAV hit an IED that consisted of multiple artillery shells with a fuel accelerant. Three of the six-man crew were killed, including Adam. The remaining crew members were severely injured. Ironically, only 16 days following the memorial service Adam attended for the Marines killed on July 29th, the battalion gathered again, in the same place to memorialize Adam, Lcpl. Randy Newman and HN Chad Kenyon. Adam’s death was deeply felt not only by those at home who loved him, but by the Marines who lived, worked and fought side by side with him.
On August 31, 2006, the day following Adam’s funeral, President Bush, while in Salt Lake City addressing the 
American Legion, said this about Adam: "One brave American we remember is Marine Corporal Adam Galvez, from here in Salt Lake City. Yesterday Adam's mom and dad laid their son to rest. We're honored by their presence with us today. About a month ago, Adam was wounded by a suicide bomb in Iraq's Anbar Province. When he regained consciousness, he found he was buried alive, so he dug himself out of the rubble. And then ran through gunfire to get a shovel to dig out his fellow Marines. As soon as he recovered from his injuries, Adam volunteered to go back to the front lines and 11 days ago, he was killed when a roadside bomb hit his convoy.
Here is what Adam's mom and dad said about the cause for which their son gave his life: "Though many are debating the justification of this war, Adam's belief in his country did not waver, even to the point of the ultimate sacrifice. It's our hope and our prayer that people share the same conviction and dedication to our troops and fellow Americans."
Our nation will always remember the selflessness and sacrifice of Americans like Adam Galvez. We will honor their lives by completing the good and noble work they have started."
On June 21, 2007, Adam was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation with Combat Valor for his actions on July 29, 2006.
Adam found great success in the Marine Corps. Many Marines have told of the outstanding contributions he made. He became a close friend to many and an integral part of his unit. His duties expanded from mechanic and driver to include scout. He excelled in each job he performed. His command and other Marines have described Adam as “a cut above” and “the epitome of what a Marine should be.”
Although Adam is deeply missed, he lives on in those who were blessed to share in his life. He was willing to answer the call of his country realizing what it may cost. The last email received from Adam in Iraq, the day before his death, concluded with the phrase “I love America.” And indeed, he did.
View website for Cpl. Adam Galvez
