Major Guy Richard (Bear) Barrattieri Jr. - A Soldier's Story

 

A tribute to Major Guy R "Bear" Barattieri Jr, with a black and white photo of Major Barattieri against a grey scale American Flag and a gun metal grey background

Major Guy Richard (Bear) Barrattieri Jr. - A Soldier's Story

Major Guy Richard “Bear” Barattieri Jr.
Born June 21, 1970 — Died October 4, 2006

Major Guy Richard “Bear” Barattieri Jr. was born on June 21, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Purcell Marian High School in 1988, where he played on the school’s undefeated, state championship football team.

In 1988, he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. During his plebe year, an injury took him off the football field, but he never slowed down. Instead, he poured his energy into the Rugby Club, the Tactics Club, and the Sandhurst competition. At graduation in 1992, he was honored as the “GOAT,” a long-standing West Point tradition, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry.

His first assignment was with the 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment in Germany, where he served as a platoon leader and later as a company executive officer. In December 1995, he deployed with his unit to Bosnia as part of NATO’s Implementation Force under the Dayton Accords.

In 1996, he returned to Fort Benning for the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and was later selected for Special Forces. After completing the demanding Special Forces Qualification Course and related training, he joined the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington. There he commanded an Operational Detachment-Alpha and led missions in Thailand, Korea, and Nepal.

In August 2000, Major Barattieri transitioned from active duty to the Washington National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group while also serving as a police officer with the Seattle Police Department. Following 9/11, his Guard unit was activated. He deployed to Kuwait in 2002, and in March 2003, his team advanced with the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq. His service earned him the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

In 2004, he took on a new challenge as a security contractor, ultimately becoming the chief of security for Fox News in Baghdad.

On October 4, 2006, while leading a convoy outside Baghdad, Major Barattieri’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He died from his wounds later that day.

Major Guy R. “Bear” Barattieri Jr. now rests at Washington Memorial Park in Seattle, Washington.




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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller based in Tontitown, Arkansas.

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

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