Major Guy “Bear” Barattieri

Died of wounds October 4th 2006

MAJ Barattieri graduated from Purcell High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he led his high school football team to an undefeated season as the state champions in 1986. Eschewing a football scholarship to Penn State University, Guy Barattieri graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1992 and served on active duty as an Infantry and Special Forces Officer, culminating with duty as a Detachment Commander and Battalion Staff Officer with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis. Captain Barattieri left active duty service and joined A Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in August of 2000.

In 2002, then-CPT Barattieri deployed as an SF Detachment Commander to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring. Selected as part of the initial spearhead during the liberation of Iraq on 20 March 2003, MAJ Barattieri's team led the 101st Infantry Division on its march to Baghdad. For his combat achievements, MAJ Barattieri was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. MAJ Barattieri transferred to the Information Operations Group in 2004, and was appointed as the Operations Officer for the Special Operations Detachment - Pacific (SODPAC) in 2005. MAJ Barattieri was a member in good standing of the Washington National Guard at the time of his passing. In addition to his military service, Bear was an honored member of the Seattle and Milton Police Departments.

Major Guy Richard Barattieri, 36, a Special Forces officer assigned to the SODPAC, deployed to Iraq several times, both as a Citizen-Soldier and a private contractor. MAJ Barattieri died on October 4th, after suffering mortal wounds from an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.