SFC Richard Lopez; 3/7th SFG (A)

[Basenshukai]

http://www.exploresteamboat.com/news...d_head_injury/

RELEASE NUMBER: 090106-05
DATE POSTED: JANUARY 6, 2009

PRESS RELEASE: Bio of Special Forces Soldier killed in Steamboat Springs, Colo. incident

USASFC(A) PAO

Sergeant 1st Class Richard Lopez was born on Nov. 17, 1971 in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and attended Arroyo Grande High School.

After enlisting as an infantryman in 1993, Richard served at multiple duty stations, stateside and overseas. His tours include Fort Campbell, Ky., the Republic of South Korea, Fort Bragg, N.C., Gainesville, Fla., Iraq, and Afghanistan. He served as a scout-sniper until he was selected to become a U.S. Army Recruiter in 2000. After serving as a recruiter in Gainesville, Fla., Lopez returned to the 82nd Airborne Division and served as a platoon sergeant.

He began his quest to become a Special Forces Soldier in 2004 by attending the Special Forces Communications Sergeant Course. Lopez completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2005 and was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based in Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to Operational Detachment-Alpha 784 as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant.

Lopez’s military education includes the Special Forces Communications Sergeant Course, Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Jumpmaster Course, Military Freefall Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, and the U.S. Army Recruiter Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze knots, the National Defense Service Medal with service star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with “3” numeral, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Royal Netherlands Army Freefall Badge and the Gold Recruiter Badge.

He is survived by his son Nicholas James Lopez, father Vincent Suarez, sister Mary Ventura, and brother Mark Suarez along with his closest friends and loved ones.

Personal Note:

I served with Rich in B/3/7 and deployed with him to Afghanistan in 2006. I was the CO XO while he was assigned to ODA 784. He was present during the patrol that killed my team mate MSG Emigdio "EZ" Elizarraras. Some time later, he was seriously wounded by enemy fire during a Direct Action operation in Southeastern Afghanistan when his team took PKM fire during exfil via rotary wing platform. I remember visiting him in WAMC (FBNC) while he healed from those wounds. He was a dedicated operator and was fearless in battle. He will be missed by us all. It shocks me that he died as he did and that quite possibly, it will not even be considered a "murder".