SGT Gutierrez joined the US Army June 26, 1962 and served honorably until June 18, 1968. After joining the Army he was transferred to Vietnam where SGT Gutierrez was wounded in combat. For his valorous acts of heroism in combat with an enemy force, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, the Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.  Sgt Gutierrez was always quick to tell how his uncle had given him a “Little Red Family Bible” which he carried into combat in his breast pocket.  It was that bible that additional shrapnel had lodged into and saved his life. He would share that it was God grace that saved his life that day and that God had a higher purpose for his life.