Logan Melgar

Staff Sergeant Logan Melgar, Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, was killed in the line of duty on June 4, 2017 in Mali. SSG Melgar was serving as the Assistant Team Leader for 3D SFG(A)’s Crisis Response Force Liaison Element, which was forward deployed to Bamako, Mali, Africa in support of Operation Juniper Shield.

SSG Melgar volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army in January 2012, as an 11B (Infantryman), after graduating from Texas Tech University. While at basic training, SSG was offered an 18X (Special Forces Candidate) contract, and after a conversation with his wife, he chose to accept it. After basic training and Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, he attended Airborne School (Fort Benning, GA). SSG Melgar was then assigned to the Special Warfare Training Group (SWCS) in Fort Bragg, NC, in June 2012 as a candidate for Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS).

SSG Melgar attended SFAS in 2012 and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. In 2014, he was assigned to the 3D Special Forces Group (Airborne) after graduating the Special Forces Qualification Course.

SSG Melgar was then assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 3D Special Forces Group (Airborne), as an 18C (Special Forces Engineer Sergeant), where he served two combat deployments to Afghanistan. In 2016, after successfully completing SFARTAETC (Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course), he was selected to become a part of B Company, 2D Battalion, 3D Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he would serve his final deployment, this time to Africa.

SSG Melgar’s military education includes Basic Infantry Course, Basic Airborne School, Special Forces preparation Course, Basic Leadership Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course (High Risk), Special Forces Engineering Course, Advanced Leadership Course, Special Forces Sniper Course, and  Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course. 

SSG Melgar’s military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (numeral II), the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. 

SSG Melgar is survived by his wife of ten years, Michelle, and two sons, Jackson and Tyler.

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