Juan Sebastián Restrepo
| Juan Sebastián Restrepo | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
October 7, 1986 Neiva, Huila, Colombia |
| Died | July 22, 2007 (aged 20) Aliabad, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 2006-07 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–14) |
Army Pfc. Juan Sebastián "Doc" Restrepo (October 7, 1986 – July 22, 2007) was a Colombian American soldier and medic. Restrepo was killed in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, of neck wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire. He was immortalized in the Academy Award-nominated documentary, Restrepo.
Restrepo was born in Neiva, Huila, Colombia. His mother, Marcela Pardo, a physical therapist, named him after the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. He rarely saw his father Gerardo Restrepo Ramirez, a pediatric neurologist, after his parents separated when he was 2. He had an older brother named Ivan, and a younger brother, Pablo.
In 1993, Pardo and her sons immigrated to the United States, first living in Miami Gardens, Florida. Two years later they moved to Pembroke Pines. Juan was very active in sports, boxing, playing soccer and skateboarding. He attended Charles W. Flanagan High School, graduating in 2004. He planned to be a doctor, like his father and grandfather.
Unable to afford to go to college, Restrepo returned to Colombia, where he studied classical violin at the Luis A. Calvo Academy, District University of Bogotá. After getting a girl pregnant, he returned to the United States and enlisted in the military. He returned to Colombia for the birth of his daughter, Ariana.
In February 2006, Restrepo attended basic training at Fort Sill (Bravo Battery 1st Battalion 79th Field Artillery Regiment), where he received the high APFT score. In May 2006, he attended advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston (Bravo/Charlie Company, 232nd Medical Battalion) before attending airborne school at Fort Benning. He went to Italy and Germany, where he did specialized medical training, before being deployed to the Korengal Valley in May 2007. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.
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