Private First Class Barbara Vieyra was born in Arizona on July 2nd, 1988. From the age of 7, she knew she wanted to join the Army. Family members thought it was just a phase, as the family lived on a dairy farm. Private First Class Vieyra’s sister Lupe warned her, “That’s kind of dangerous.”
Yet, Private First Class Vieyra, the daughter of two Mexican American immigrants, was determined to give back to her country. She participated in ROTC at Skyline High School in Mesa, Arizona and graduated in 2006. She joined the Army in 2008 after giving birth to her daughter Evelyn, wanting to secure a bright future for both of them. She “wanted a job that would make her daughter proud,” according to The Associated Press.
Private First Class Vieyra became an expert marksman in the course of her career as a military police officer. She was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, but asked to serve in Afghanistan.
On September 18th, 2010, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Private First Class Vieyra was killed by insurgents when they attacked her unit with an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade fire. She was 22.
Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat service star, the Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. She was survived by her parents, her paternal grandparents, her brother and sister, and Evelyn, who was approaching her third birthday.
Private First Class Vieyra loved poetry, painting, writing, and helping people. She is sorely missed by her family, who bring flowers to her grave every holiday. In an article published 8 years after her passing, her family reflected on the similarities between Private First Class Vieyra and Evelyn. Lupe said, “I think she’s a lot like my sister. She’s really calm. Her personality is a lot like my sister’s.’’
Evelyn, 11 years old at the time, expressed pride in her mother’s service and inspiration to better the world. “I feel very proud. I feel very thankful and I feel very happy she was serving the country. I’m happy because she served our country and she makes me feel proud … It inspires me to be graceful and do things good for people, to help people.’’
Private First Class Vieyra’s brother, Robert, said that she aspired to become a nurse following her military service.
Private First Class Vieyra is buried at the City of Mesa Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.
Sources:
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pfc-barbara-vieyra/4786359
https://www.kold.com/story/13186204/soldier-from-arizona-dies-in-afghanistan/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58948463/barbara-vieyra
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