On September 16, 2010, Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez, a combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, was killed-in-action in the vicinity of Kajran District, Afghanistan, when his team came under fire from an enemy insurgent within the Afghan National Army partner force.

On this final mission, Sanchez and his team, along with Afghanistan National Army partners, were tasked to provide security for national election polling sites in the vicinity of Kajran District. Shortly after insertion, Sanchez was mortally wounded from an insurgent who infiltrated the Afghanistan partner force. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor while engaged in ground combat from 4 August 2010 to 16 September 2010.

On this final mission, Sanchez and his team, along with Afghanistan National Army partners, were tasked to provide security for national election polling sites in the vicinity of Kajran District. Shortly after insertion, Sanchez was mortally wounded from an insurgent who infiltrated the Afghanistan partner force. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor while engaged in ground combat from 4 August 2010 to 16 September 2010.

Sanchez was born in El Paso, Texas, on August 30, 1987. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Air Force on June 27, 2006.

Upon graduation from Basic Training, Sanchez entered and successfully completed the Air Force Combat Control training pipeline. He then reported to 23d Special Tactics Squadron and was assigned to Blue Team.

Sanchez’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.