Pfc. Josue Ibarra, U.S. Marine and Soldier For Christ

January 8th, 2012 | Author:

Pfc. Josue Ibarra passed away June 19, 2011 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

“He was a great young man. He was an example to many,” Pastor Abel Torres, said. “He just loved God and he was always willing to serve.” Whether that be serving his country or serving his church, Josue did it with a smile on his face.

“Josue’s mother had a room at the house ready for him when he came back, so it’s very difficult for her,” Pastor Torres said. “He was the youngest so she’s taking it pretty hard.”

Ibarra enlisted in the Marine Corps last June and was just deployed in April. Close friend, Aracely Sanchez, spoke with him two weeks ago. “He said it wasn’t really what he expected but he was still glad he joined,” she said. “He just missed home. He wanted to do something that was going to change the world, either by becoming a Marine and help the United States or in God’s kingdom, to be a missionary.”

Ibarra was a youth director and then went a step further and became a deacon at Abundant Living Christian Center in Midland, Texas. Both Sanchez and Torres said he was well known within the congregation. “He was just a funny guy,” Sanchez said. “Always at church, always a good person.”

“People fell in love with him, his personality, his character,” Pastor Torres said.

All of those things people will remember about their hometown hero who was taken too soon.

“I wish I had one more day to spend with him,” Sanchez said. “At least 24 more hours and I would tell him and let him know how much people love him.”

“He had the courage to be willing to serve his country and lay his life down,” Pastor Torres said. “He’ll be missed, definitely, he’ll be missed.”

Ibarra attended the Field Artillery Cannon Crewman Course at Fort Sill, Okla., where he earned the military occupational specialty 0811, field artillery cannoneer. Ibarra soon thereafter reported to Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, for duty with Echo Battery, 2/12, and then deployed with the battery to the Kajaki district in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ibarra served as a field artillery cannoneer and a rifleman with 2nd squad, 1st platoon. He was the point man for the squad during security patrols and was responsible for clearing a safe path to ensure each Marine arrived safely at his destination.

“I know how everyone says there are great Marines, but with him as a (private first class), he was outstanding,” said Sgt. Adam C. Galaviz, a Peoria, Ariz., native and Ibarra’s squad leader. “As a squad leader, I couldn’t ask for a better Marine.”

Galaviz said Ibarra never questioned orders and he had a great sense of dedication to duty. Ibarra was not only noted for his performance as a Marine, but also for his ability to influence others with his positive outlook on life.

“He was setting the example off the bat on how a Marine should be,” Galaviz explained. “He had a positive attitude about all things. It definitely lifted everyone’s spirits up.”

Along with Ibarra’s positive attitude, the one thing which was undeniable about his physical characteristics was his smile. Several people mentioned during the memorial ceremony the affect his smile had on people.

Lance Cpl. Jason B. Budge, a cannoneer with 2/12 and close friend of Ibarra, spoke at the ceremony, recalling several fond memories of his fallen brother. He recalled an instance in which Ibarra told him he was going to be in a boxing match. Budge said when he and his friends arrived to support Ibarra at the fight, they noticed the opponent was twice as big as their upbeat buddy. Ibarra unfortunately lost the fight after three rounds, but his upbeat attitude was still intact.

“When he left the ring, he had two black eyes, a fat lip, and a big smile on his face,” stated Budge.

The source of his contagious smile was his religious beliefs, from which he drew his strength and character, according to those who knew him best. Budge, who knew Ibarra since basic training, mentioned Ibarra would drag him to church every Sunday and had no problem openly sharing his faith.

Those who knew him said they will miss what this dedicated Marine brought to the table as a man of faith, a friend, and a Marine.

“The thing I miss most about him is …,” said Galaviz as he paused to reflect, “it is comprised of everything he was. It wasn’t like he was just a good Marine, it was the fact he was a good person and knowing there are good people like that still out there. War can challenge your outlook on how other cultures are and, at times, even your own. He was that reminder to me that there is that good standard. He set that standard for other people to emulate.”

Ibarra is survived by his father, mother and five siblings.

His personal earthly awards include the Purple Heart Medal (awarded posthumously), National Defense Service Medal, and NATO Medal.

As a soldier for Christ, Josue’s love of God and country in turn honors our love of him and his service to Him and the USA.

Summary credits

Visit

Posted in Marines | Tags: , | 2 Comments »
« Older Entries
Categories
Bookmarks

Copyrighted Military Wall of Honor, All Rights Reserved
Download from Wordpress Templates | Political Hats