Jaime Fernando Bueno

SSG Jaime Fernando Bueno was born on February 12, 1986, in Laredo, TX. The son of Margarita Gomez Echeverry and Jaime Bueno, Sr., Jaime was a bright and active child, full of energy and creativity. He enjoyed playing soccer. He loved his siblings, Lina and Paola, dearly.

From a young age, Jaime dreamed of doing something meaningful with his life. After visiting relatives many times in the United States, Jaime decided to enlist in the Army National Guard in 2007, at the age of 21. He enlisted in the New Jersey Guard and transferred to North Carolina upon graduation from Advanced Individual Training in 2007.

SSG Bueno served honorably as a Chemical Operations Specialist (CBRN) with Headquarters, Headquarters Company (HHC) 130th MEB, Charlotte.  He then deployed with B Co 230th BSB, Dunn, NC in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010. He performed duties as a Driver and Gunner with the Quick Reaction Force Team and maintained perimeter security. He also performed dismounted patrols and participated in two humanitarian aid missions. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge for his actions. He then returned home station to the HHC 130th MEB, Charlotte NC.  Always striving to go above and beyond, he became the unit’s certified Unit Career Counselor. He deployed a second time with the HHC 1-181 INF REG, Worcester, MA to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2010-2011). He returned again to the 130th MEB. During this time SSG Bueno worked fulltime as a member of the North Carolina National Guard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Team. He was first assigned as a team member in Charlotte, NC where he helped render final military honors to an innumerable number of veterans across the great state of NC. His time with MFH ultimately culminated with him becoming the assistant MFH Operations NCO at Joint Force Headquarters coordinating with countless funeral homes and veteran service organizations to ensure that all requested services were processed and rendered honorably helping families in times of great strife. In 2014 SSG Bueno left the MFH team and joined the NC Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program where he performed duties as the State Awards NCO, State Retirement Points Accounting Management NCO, and State Mobilization NCO for Joint Forces Headquarters – G1, Raleigh, NC. It was at this time that he chose to reclass to 42A, Human Resources Specialist. During this time, he also earned the Royal Lao Parachutist Badge for performing parachute jumps with the Royal Lao Airborne Department. SSG Bueno was selected and completed the Army’s Air Assault course in 2016, his selection was a direct result of his performance during NCNG Best Warrior competition where he was selected as the 1st Runner up. In 2017, he then transferred to the Command Post Operational Detachment (MCPOD), Fort Bragg, NC and served as a Human Resources Specialist.  In 2019 he transferred to B Co 3rd BN 20th Special Forces Group, Roanoke Rapids, NC as the Administrative NCO. He deployed a third time to Honduras in support of Theater Security Cooperation SOUTHCOM (2019-2020).

SSG Bueno’s awards and decorations include, but are not limited to the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award) ,Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/2 campaign starts, Iraq campaign Medal w/campaign star, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ 10-year device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M Device, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Bade (2nd award), Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Bade w/Driver-Wheeled Vehicle.

State Awards include; NC Meritorious Commendation Medal, NC Commendation Medal, NC Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), NC Adjutant General’s Meritorious Achievement Service Ribbon, NC State Active Duty Ribbon, NC Service Award, MA Defense Expeditionary Ribbon, and MA Defense Service Ribbon.

Jaime married Christina Bueno in 2014. They were a beautiful couple who complemented each other in many ways. In 2014, Jaime and Christina were blessed with Jaime Bueno, III. Jaime is preceded in death by his daughter, Catalina.

Those who were fortunate enough to meet or work with Jaime know of his boundless generosity and huge heart. He helped many people in their times of need. He was also an excellent Soldier and consummate professional. His military career culminated as the Administrative NCO for B Co 3rd BN 20th Special Forces Group.

Jaime is survived by his two sons, Jaime Bueno, III and Ethan Elijah Bueno; his sisters Lina Hayes (Taylor Hayes) and Paola Andrea (Ricardo Caviedes), and his mother and father.

Visitation will be 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Thursday, May 27, 2021 at LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 PM following the visitation.

Even though the loss of Jaime and his beloved Christina has broken many of our hearts, we believe both of them are watching over us from Heaven, and the best way to honor them is to carry on their tradition of love and generosity.