Lead the Way Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to raise funds in support of disabled U.S. Army Rangers and the families of Rangers who have died, have been injured or are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. Lead the Way Fund, Inc. will provide spouses and children of deceased, disabled or active duty Rangers with assistance for health and wellness programs and other services determined to be vital to the family’s well-being.
Pfc. Damian J. Garza died during combat operations in Afghanistan Aug. 4, 2005, during a mounted combat patrol northeast of Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Garza, 19, was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
A native of Midland, Texas, Garza deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2005.
Garza enlisted in the Army in April 2004 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Training Detachment, 75th Ranger Regt.
He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in November 2004 and was then assigned to 3rd Bn., where served as an ammunition bearer.
Garza’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Award, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Garza is survived by his father Jaime Garza, his mother Denise Garza, his brother Justin and sisterJamie.
As a Ranger, Garza distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.
