Sgt. 1st Class Joshua “Zach” Beale, 32, was killed by small arms fire on January 22, 2019, in Tirin Kut, the capital city of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, while conducting combat operations. That was his fourth overseas tour and his third tour to Afghanistan.

He was assigned to SFODA 3123, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

SFC Beale had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2011. He attended Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, where he also graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School. Beale graduated in 2013 from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was subsequently assigned to 3rd SFG (A).

While assigned to 3rd SFG (A), he graduated from numerous other Army courses, including the Advanced Leader Course, Special Forces Sniper Course, and U.S. Army Ranger School.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. His prior awards included two more Bronze Stars and the Army Achievement Medal.

“Joshua was a smart, talented, and dedicated member of 3rd SFG (A) and the special operations community. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the fortunate opportunity to know him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family for this tragic loss,” Col. Nathan Prussian, 3rd SFG (A) commander, had said in a statement.

Beale is survived by his wife Lindsay and two children.

It is said that a soldier dies twice: once when he takes his last breath and once when he’s forgotten. We at SOFREP will never forget you, SFC Joshua Beale.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced that the mortgage on the Hoke County home of Sgt. First Class Joshua “Zach” Beale has been paid in full through its Gold Star Family Home Program.