April 29, 2011 speaker

1. Corporal Anthony A. Arriaga
Corporal Anthony A. Arriaga was born the oldest of a set of
twins on December 3,1984 to JoAnn Taylor-Arriaga and
Armando Arriaga in Pasadena, Texas. He graduated from
Pasadena High School in 2003.
He enlisted into the Marine Corps to be a 0311 (Infantry) on
October 22, 2006. He reported to the Recruit Training Center at
the Marine Corps Recruit Depot where upon graduation in
February 2007 he earned the title Marine. From February 2007
to April 2007 Private Arriaga was a guard at the School of
Infantry. In April 2007 he was promoted to Private First Class.
In May 2007 Private First Class Arriaga reported to 2nd Battalion 4thMarines (2/4) "The
Magnificent Bastards" which is part of the 5th Marine Regiment under the command of
Lt. Colonel Andrew Wilcox. In December of 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Lance
Corporal. He then deployed with 2/4 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from
January of 2008 to July 2008 as a part of Echo Company to the Western Pacific. During
this deployment they learned jungle warfare and participated in international training
with Philippine Marines. In October of 2008 he became a company level intelligence cell
Marine.
Lance Corporal Arriaga was assigned to San Diego State University from November of
2008 to December 2008 where he was a student in a Cultural Language Introduction
Course to learn Iraqi Arabic. From September 2009 to April 2010 he deployed again
with 2/4 aboard the 11th MEU to the Western Pacific and the Gulf of Aden. In December
2009 Lance Corporal Arriaga was given the billet of Team Leader. Also on this
deployment in February 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. The unit
participated in Joint Training missions with the East Timor Army & the Royal Australian
Army north of Australia to train and assist in humanitarian efforts. Even before this
deployment was over 2/4 received word they had been authorized to have around 200
Marines volunteer to deploy to Afghanistan as reinforcements and support for
Regimental Combat Team 7 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Just a little more than 3 weeks after the 11thMEU deployment in May 2010 he left for
Afghanistan. While serving as Fire Team leader for 2/4 Echo Company on July 30,2010
while on combat patrol in Marjah, his team came under heavy accurate enemy fire in an
open field from six enemy positions. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to
provide suppressive fire to cover his team's movement. While bounding, he was shot in
the guardian pack knocking him to the ground. He got up and returned fire when he was
shot a second time and the bullet lodged in the smoke canister in his pack. The third
time he was shot by a precision shooter in his right leg; he immediately reported his
injuries and administered self-aid. He then continued to direct the actions of his team
and even called in his own medical evacuation request. While receiving aid from a
corpsman and still receiving a heavy volume of fire, he continued to expose himself and

2. direct the fire of his team. Upon discharge from the various hospitals, Corporal Arriaga
transferred to Balboa Naval Hospital for follow up treatment during his convalescent
leave and recovery period. The bullet affected the vital nerves needed to move and feel
his leg, ankle and foot below the entrance to the gunshot wound.
In January of 2011 Corporal Arriaga reported for duty to Wounded Warrior Battalion
West in Camp Pendleton, California where the other Warriors, therapists and doctors
strive to assist you in any way they can on your road to recovery. Currently Corporal
Arriaga is preparing for the necessary physical fitness tests in order to be qualified as
Fit for Duty to return to Full Duty and continue his career for the United States Marine
Corps.
Corporal Arriaga's personal decorations include: Purple Heart Medal, Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Award, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious
Mass, & Letter of Commendation.
Corporal Arriaga is married to Crystal Kadura-Arriaga who was born and raised in
Jacinto City, Texas. They have two children: Nevaeh and Amber and now reside in
Oceanside, California in base housing aboard Camp Pendleton.