Private First Class Brian R. Bates Jr. joined the military when he was 19 years old. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. While deployed to Afghanistan, Bates was killed when insurgents attacked his Stryker vehicle with an I.E.D.

Brian was funny, honest, and hard-working. He loved his wife and two young children with everything in him.

His goal was to serve his country and be there for his brothers in arms. He will be remembered for accomplishing that goal.