For the 2025 SFSO Ride, we will be honoring the life and service of two US marine corps forces special operations command (MARSoc) fallen heroes:
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo and Major Moises Navas
The SFSO Jersey has a special placement on the sleeve in their honor
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo
Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo was born in Chatsworth, CA on July 19th, 1985. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 2004 and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. Upon completion of recruit training, Private First Class Pongo was ordered to School of Infantry West and graduated as an 0311 Rifleman. He was then ordered to 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines at Los Alamitos, CA. PFC Pongo was promoted to Lance Corporal and assigned as a Rifle Team Leader. In December of 2006, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and transferred to active duty where he was then assigned to 1st Battalion 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton. In July of 2007, Corporal Pongo was assigned to the Scout Sniper Platoon and deployed with the 11th MEU in November 2007. In July of 2008, Corporal Pongo attended Scout Sniper Basic Course West and was assigned as a Sniper Team Leader. He was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in May 2009 and deployed to the Helmand River Valley, Afghanistan the following month.
Sergeant Pongo attended Assessment & Selection for Marine Special Operations Command in October 2010. Upon completion, he was given orders to attend the Individual Training Course 2-11 beginning April 2011. Upon graduation of the Individual Training Course, he was assigned to Golf Company 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. Sergeant Pongo deployed with Marine Special Operations Team 8223 to Afghanistan in March of 2013 as an Element Member. In April 2014, Sergeant Pongo was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was assigned to 8223 as an Element Leader. He deployed to Iraq in July of 2015 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Gunnery Sergeant Pongo was assigned to the Marine Raider Regiment in January of 2017, where he performed duties as the Regional Operations Chief where he was responsible for assisting in the development, planning, coordination and synchronization of all Marine Raider Regiment and Marine Raider Battalion’s current and future engagements.
While serving in MARSOC, Gunnery Sergeant Pongo deployed as an Element Member and an Element Leader to Afghanistan and Iraq. As an Element Leader, he was responsible for the tactical employment, training, accountability, fitness, administration, and logistical support of the element. He was also responsible for the training and tactical employment of partner nation forces to whom he was in support of. He frequently partnered with high-ranking members of Partner Nation militaries as well as Partner Nation Law Enforcement entities to provide mentorship during the planning and conduct of joint and unilateral combat and peacetime operations. Gunnery Sergeant Pongo served as the Team Chief for MSOT 8232. He spoke Spanish, European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. He was working on his Bachelors degree in Business Entrepreneurship.
GySgt. Pongo was killed in action on March 8, 2020 while accompanying Iraqi Security Forces in North Central Iraq.
Gunnery Sergeant Pongo’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal with combat “V”, Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, the Army Valorous Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, two Humanitarian Service Medals, the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Major Moises Navas
Major Moises Navas was born on 16 December 1985 in David, Panama. After graduating from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, MD in June of 2004, he attended Recruit Training in Parris Island, SC. He reached the rank of Sergeant before commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 July 2010 through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. In December of 2010, he reported to The Basic School in Quantico, VA and subsequently attended the Infantry Officer Course, earning the Infantry Officer (0302) MOS.
Major Navas reported to 2nd Battalion, 3d Marines at Kaneohe Bay, HI and served with the Island Warriors from October 2011 to September 2014. He deployed as a Platoon Commander in 2012 in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. As a Platoon Commander, he conducted multiple bilateral training exercises throughout the Pacific area of responsibility where he was responsible for the training of four foreign partner nations. Upon redeployment, he served as Company G’s Executive Officer, where he led the company through several deployment for training exercises to include the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, CA, Pohakuloa Training Area, HI and 29 Palms, CA. He once again deployed with Company G on a UDP where he conducted three multinational exercises to include training in the Republic of Korea and throughout Japan.
Major Navas was selected to attend the Army’s Maneuver Captain’s Career Course in Ft. Benning, GA. While awaiting to execute orders, he attended Marine Special Operations Forces Assessment and Selection in August 2014 and was selected to continue training, ultimately earning the Special Operations Officer 0370 MOS. Upon completion of Marine Special Operation Forces Team Commander’s Course in May 2016, he reported to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. In January of 2018 he deployed to Jordan as Team Commander of Marine Special Operations Team 8232, Marine Special Operations Company H in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE as part of Special Operations Command Forward-Jordan, Special Operations Command Central. During this deployment, he assessed, trained and equipped Jordanian Special Operations Forces alongside the UKSOF, FRANSOF, CANSOF, conventional Marine Corps, Army units and supported other government agencies from the US Embassy.
Major Navas graduated from the USMC Expeditionary Warfare School Non-Res, the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, the USMC Command and Staff College Non-Res, Marine Combatant Diver and Military Freefall Course.
Major Navas was killed in action on March 8, 2020 while accompanying Iraqi Security Forces in North Central Iraq.
Major Navas’ decorations include a Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, two Good Conduct Medals, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Captain Navas was promoted to the rank of Major posthumously.
