Jose Angel Garibay
Jose Angel Garibay served in the US Marines during the Iraq War and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
Early Life
Jose Angel Garibay was born in Jalisco, Mexico, in 1981. He and his mother, Simona Garibay, came to the United States when Jose was a child. Simona settled in California and found work as a hospital housekeeper.
Garibay was raised in Orange County, California, where he attended Newport Harbor High School.
Joining the Military
Garibay was a proud patriot and often spoke of his desire to serve in the military before he enlisted. His decision to enlist immediately following his high school graduation was a highly anticipated next step. The military offered him new opportunities, economic stability, and a way to demonstrate his patriotism. It also allowed him and his mother to apply for full citizenship.
Military Service
Garibay trained at Camp Lejeune in Charleston, North Carolina. He was deployed with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit was deployed near Nasiriyah, Iraq, and served as the ground combat element in the Battle of An-Nasiriyah, the first large-scale battle fought by Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jose’s division endured the heaviest fighting on the first day of the invasion.
Garibay’s mother holding a banner honoring her son, March 2013. Getty Images.
Legacy
Garibay was killed in action on March 23, 2003, when enemy soldiers ambushed his unit. Jose was one of six Marines killed that day. He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
He had planned to become a citizen of the United States while in the service and hoped to one day become a police officer. After his sacrifice, the US government awarded Jose Garibay posthumous citizenship. The Costa Mesa police, hearing about Garibay’s aspirations to join the police force, named him an honorary officer.
Jose Angel Garibay is buried at Riverside National Cemetery. Find a Grave.
