Staff Sergeant Israel P. Nuanes, USA

Bronze Star

Israel P. Nuanes, was born to Elizabeth Marie Padilla on March 10, 1974 in Silver City, New Mexico. He graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1992, after which he enlisted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Israel had a break in service in which he worked underground at Cobre Mines. In addition, he attended Western New Mexico University and obtained his Associate's degree in Computer Network and Technology in 1999. Israel continued to have a strong drive and compassion for the military, which led him to join the Army National Guard. During this time, he was employed at White Sands Missile Range and later employed at Hatch Valley Public Schools. He attended NMSU – Dona Ana Community College. Sgt Nuanes was deployed with the Army National Guard in 2004-2005 to Iraq. Upon his return, he re-enlisted active duty Army as Infantry, where he trained at Fort Benning, Georgia and was later stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2008, Israel was stationed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and then onto Eglin AFB, Florida to complete training as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician.. He was then stationed at Fort Drum, New York, where he deployed to Iraq for his second tour in October 2009. Upon returning, he re-enlisted as an EOD Team Leader and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas as part of the 741st Ordinance Company. SSgt Nuanes deployed to Afghanistan in March 2012, where he died May 12, 2012 in Maiwand, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device. Staff Sergeant Nuanes is survived by his wife Rosina Nuanes, his son and daughter.