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"[I was] always saying to myself I ain't gonna be the one...that one kid back home still running around...not having a life." (Video Interview, 5:47)

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   Luis Daniel Almaguer
Image of Luis Daniel Almaguer
Luis Almaguer, Camp Duke, Iraq [2004]
War: Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001-present
Branch: Marine Corps
Unit: 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
Service Location: Camp Pendleton, California; Iraq
Rank: Sergeant
Place of Birth: TX
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Sergeant Luis Almaguer had it rough--raised by his grandparents, he married at 17 and dropped out of high school--before he found a second chance in 1997 with the Marine Corps at the age of 20. He was deployed to Iraq as part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in June 2004. A member of a Personal Security Detachment (PSD), he experienced first-hand the humanitarian efforts being made in Iraq, as plans were made to rebuild the city and community of Najaf.

Interview (Video)
»Interview Highlights  (5 clips)
»Complete Interview  (36 min.)
  Photos
»Photo Album (26 photos)
 Other Materials
»"The War on Terror," article from "Leatherneck" magazine
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»The Global War on Terror
 Video (Interview Excerpts) (5 items)
Self-motivation kept him going; determined to make something of himself. (00:57) Training 24/7; didn't know what their mission would be; had to come together in order to succeed; knew they were going to Iraq. (01:21) Stationed in Najaf; Mahdi militia had taken over the town; governor asked for help; lots of humanitarian work. (01:59)
Enemy was hiding in civilian locations; hadn't been allowed to enter before; difficult to tell who was your enemy. (00:55) What the Marine Corps has meant in his life. (00:51) 
  
 
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  October 26, 2011
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