Juan Luis Rivadeneira
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Juan Luis Rivadeneira enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2003 at Miami, FL. and attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA. Upon graduation, he was assigned to an infantry unit at Fort Wainwright, AK, where he later deployed to his first combat tour in Iraq. After serving a tour in Hohenfel, Germany, he was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2007.

In 2009, then-Staff Sergeant Rivadeneira received orders to Fort Campbell, KY, where he was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and he began training for his 3rd combat deployment. On 6 June 2010, SSG Rivadeneira deployed on his 2nd tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On 13 November 2010, SSG Rivadeneira’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan. When a suicide bomber wearing a vest bomb attacked SSG Rivadeneira’s position, his quick response to the imminent threat and disregard for his own life saved the lives of his entire squad. SSG Rivadeneira’s selfless, courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 2 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Valorous Unit Award
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Air Assault Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Juan L Rivadeneira, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, on 13 November 2010. Staff Sergeant Rivadeneira distinguished himself through selfless sacrifice and steadfast dedication to his Soldiers when a suicide bomber attacked his position. Staff Sergeant Rivadeneira's quick response to the imminent threat and disregard for his own life saved the lives of his entire squad. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Staff Sergeant Juan Luis Rivadeneira is buried at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, FL, in Section 39, Site 2506.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61726822/juan-l-rivadeneira