Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles died June 28, 2005, in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47E Helicopter was shot down by enemy fire during combat operations.

He was born October 5, 1971 in Louisiana, and was raised in Shelbyville, Ind. Muralles joined the Army in Dec. 1988 as an infantryman. After completion of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. After completing his initial enlistment obligation, he was assigned to the inactive ready reserve in 1993. In August 1998, he returned to active duty and graduated One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in the summer of 1998. His first duty station was Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a medical administrator, platoon medic, and company senior medic. In August of 2003, Muralles was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as an aerial flight medic.

His military schools include: the Emergency Medical Technician’s Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger School, the Primary Leadership Development Course, The Jumpmaster Course, the Special Operations Medic Course, The Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Development Course.

Muralles’ military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. His badges include the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Medical Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Aviation Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge with two combat jumps and the Ranger Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal for valor, and the Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his wife Diana, and two children, Anna and Dominic.

Proceeds from SFC Marcus V. Muralles’ bracelet will be donated to Legacies Alive.