OIA PRESS RELEASE

Guam Soldier Falls in Iraq

Families on Guam are mourning the death of a son, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph D. Gamboa, 34, of Yigo, Guam who died on March 25 of wounds suffered when he came under indirect fire in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany.

The Department of Defense announced the death of the soldier from Guam who was serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  This was his second tour in Iraq.

His siblings and friends remember how much he loved spear fishing and spending time with them.  His brother and father remember the last time they saw him during a visit to Guam wherein he gave his dog tags to his father. "At least we got to say, 'We're proud of you. You're doing a good thing,'" his brother said.

In two weeks, Staff Sgt. Joseph Gamboa would have been heading home to see his wife Michelle and five children, Tia, Austin, Ashton, Avery and 1-year-old Isabella who were all stationed in Germany eagerly waiting his return.

Speaker Judith Won Pat of the Guam Legislature expressed her condolences:

"Guam is saddened by the terrible loss of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Gamboa. On behalf of the members of I Mina' Bente Nuebi Na Liheslaturan Guahan, we send our sympathies to the Gamboa family. Our prayers are with them during their time of mourning."

Guam Governor Felix Camacho also sent his condolences to Joseph Gamboa's family and friends:

"The Lieutenant Governor and I are deeply saddened by the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Gamboa. He was a brave soldier who fought for our freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice. Our heartfelt condolences are with the Gamboa family and all those who mourn this great loss. I have declared a state of mourning and ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor. I ask the people of Guam to pray for the Gamboa family and all the men and women who protect our great nation."

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Gamboa is the 12th from Guam and the 28th from the Micronesia region to have died since the beginning of the War on Terror.  Click here to see all known deaths from the Insular Areas. 

The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs remembers and honors the brave men and women of the insular areas who offer up the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror. 

The Office of Insular Affairs is appreciative and proud to recognize the brave men and women of the Insular Areas who currently serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.