Gunnery Sergeant Mauricio Velasquez

Gunnery Sergeant Mauricio Velasquez, lovingly known as "Gunny V," was born in Colombia, South America in 1979. At age six, Velasquez immigrated to the states and spent the remainder of his youth in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from high school in 1997 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Upon graduation of recruit training at Parris Island, Gunny V attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Gieger, North Carolina. Soon after, he received orders to his Military Occupational Specialty School (MOS); the Basic Cannon Crewman Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received training in Cannon operations on the M198 Howitzer.

During his distinguished career, Velasquez was stationed all over the U.S. and was deployed countless times to Japan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. While he was consistently recognized for his excellence, and his awards and recognitions were many, Gunny V’s legacy lies in the relationships he built with his fellow Marines. By routinely taking an active leadership role, Gunny was revered by his junior Marines and a role model to unit Officers. A relentless warrior, a fierce friend, and a dedicated mentor, Velasquez demonstrated what it meant to live the Marine Corps values.

HASOF Whiskey Co. owner, Zach Hollingsworth, said it best, "He is directly responsible for the growth and development of a generation of Marines into fathers, husbands and leaders. I believe any of my success in life is tied directly to the fellowship, friendship, and time spent learning from Gunny V’s example."

HASOF Whiskey Co. Owner Zach Hollingsworth with Gunny V