Specialist Christian Puerto Sanchez

Christian Puerto Sanchez knew early on that he wanted to serve. Born on November 20, 1997, he grew up in Chula Vista, California, and graduated from Hilltop Senior High in 2015.

That same year, Christian joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and spent the next five years working as a helicopter mechanic. In 2020, he chose to continue serving in a new role and enlisted in the United States Army. He trained as a Combat Medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, before reporting to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Christian earned several awards during his military service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. The people he served with knew him as someone who worked hard, held himself to high standards, and kept a positive attitude.

Away from duty, Christian was easy to recognize by his smile and laugh. He enjoyed video games, airsoft, and spending time with friends. His earlier work with helicopters never really left him, either. He still enjoyed watching them fly over Fort Campbell.

Family and friends also knew how much Christian cared about the people around him. He was often the person others relied on, and he had a habit of putting their needs ahead of his own.

Christian passed away on June 28, 2021. He had already spent years doing what he had wanted to do since he was young: serving his country.

His mother, Nidia Puerto, shared this memorial in loving memory of her son and his service.