Nuanes, Israel Paul
Male
Verified Staff Sgt. Israel Paul Nuanes, 38, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was killed in a hostile incident on May 12, 2012, in Maiwand, Afghanistan, while serving with the U.S. Army's 741st Ordnance Company (EOD).
Their Story
Staff Sgt. Israel Paul Nuanes was a 38-year-old soldier from Las Cruces, New Mexico. He served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist with the 741st Ordnance Company (EOD), 84th Ordnance Battalion, part of the 71st Ordnance Group based at Fort Bliss, Texas.
On May 12, 2012, Nuanes was killed in Maiwand District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, his death was the result of a hostile incident. He was reportedly on a dismounted patrol when he was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Nuanes died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2012, the conflict was in a phase characterized by a high tempo of counterinsurgency operations and a focus on training Afghan security forces, with IEDs remaining a primary threat to coalition troops.
The Pentagon officially announced his death on May 14, 2012. He was posthumously promoted from Sergeant First Class to Staff Sergeant. His awards included the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Staff Sgt. Nuanes is memorialized on the EOD Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, which honors EOD technicians who have died in the line of duty. His name is also inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the New Mexico Veterans' Park in Las Cruces.
Explore Further
Staff Sgt. Nuanes was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
