Baro and Hubbard grew up together in Clovis, Calif. They played together as children. In high school, they wrestled together. And after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., they joined the U.S. Marine Corps together. “He was young and looking for something that was honorable to do in life,” said Hubbard’s brother, Jason. “He felt that was a calling he definitely could answer.”
Hubband and Baro went to Boot Camp together, but when they were deployed to Iraq they were assigned to different units. Then, after each volunteered for sniper training, they were both assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force for a second tour of duty in Iraq. They were together again in Al Anbar province, preparing for an offensive into Fallouja. Cpl. Jeremiah A. Baro and Lance Cpl. Jared P. Hubbard, aged 21 and 22, were killed in action on November 4, and buried, together, on November 11 — Veteran’s Day.