Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano, U.S. Marine Corps, was born in Mexico and became a U.S. citizen at 13 years of age when her family moved to California. In 2000, she graduated from Peter Johansen High School in Modesto, and enlisted in the Marines in 2005, following her two younger brothers’ example.
She was serving in the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and stationed in Okinawa, when she was transferred to Iraq due to her specialization in bulk fuel.
On April 8, 2006, Arellano was holding down a defensive position while guarding other soldiers on their mission near Taqaddam, when she was mortally wounded with a gunshot to the head. Arellano was just 24 years old.
She was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Navy and Marine Corps Marine Overseas Service Ribbon.
In 2019, a post office in Lance Corporal Arellano’s home of Ceres, CA was dedicated in her honor.
“As an immigrant, Juana represents the brave spirit of those who risk everything to come to our country, and as a Marine, she stands as an inspiration for all who go above and beyond the call of duty,” said former Congressman Denham when he introduced legislation to name the Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano Post Office Building.
Sources:
https://navylog.navymemorial.org/navarro-arellano-juana
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-lance-cpl-juana-navarroarellano/1681256
https://www.cerescourier.com/news/local/post-office-named-after-ceres-marine-killed-2006/
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/local-releases/ca/2019/0513-ceres-po-dedication.htm
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