Jose Gutierrez

Los Angeles, California

March 21, 2003

An orphan who grew up on the streets amid civil strife in Guatemala, Jose Gutierrrez found his way into Los Angeles County's foster care system, graduated from high school and attended community college. Partly to repay the United States, he became an infantry rifleman based at Camp Pendleton. Gutierrez of Los Angeles died March 21 in combat. He won U.S. citizenship after his death.