Marc Andrew Arizmendez was born on March 31, 1980, in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. He was married to Barbara Arizmendez. He attended St. Catherine’s Military Academy in Anaheim before continuing his education at Schurr High School in Montebello. Approximately six months after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, based in Hohenfels, Germany, and was later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

SSgt Arizmendez was killed on July 6, 2010, near Qalat, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle during an insurgent attack. He is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, thefallen.militarytimes.com