Red Dragons remember, honor life of fallen trooper

Photo By Sgt. Robert Yde | Sgt. Roderick Upshaw pays his respects during a memorial ceremony for Spc. Marisol Heredia at Forward Operating Base Union III in central Baghdad, Sept. 15. Heredia, who was assigned to Forward Support Company G, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, died from non-combat related injuries on Sept. 7.  

IRAQ

09.17.2007

Story by Sgt. Robert Yde 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Robert Yde
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq – "Tonight our hearts are heavy with the pain and sorrow that comes from the loss of our fellow Soldier and dear friend," Lt. Col. Michael Tarsa, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, said during an address in front of an audience of hundreds of Soldiers who had packed into an auditorium on Forward Operating Base Union III to remember and honor the life of Spc. Marisol Heredia on Sept. 15.

"Marisol Heredia was a special person, who while delicate in appearance and mannerisms, was well suited for the rigors of the Army. Her kindness and genuine sincerity were unmistakable," Tarsa said. "There was a spirit of service and youthful vitality in Marisol Heredia that I found humbling and assuring as commander."

Heredia died Sept. 7 from non-combat related injuries, and she was the first Soldier from the 'Red Dragon' Battalion to be killed in Iraq since they arrived in Baghdad almost 11 months ago.

A native of El Monte, Calif., Heredia enlisted in the Army July 7, 2005, shortly after graduating from Mountain View High School. Her older sister, Claudia, was already a Soldier and was serving in Germany, and Heredia, who sought adventure and wanted to see the world, decided to follow her lead. She attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and from there was assigned to Fort Lee, Va., where she underwent advanced individual training as a water purification specialist. She arrived to Fort Hood, Texas in May 2006 and deployed with the Black Jack Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 in October 2006.

Although she was trained as a water purification specialist, like many Soldiers with her military occupational specialty, Heredia's main duties while deployed were as a fueler. While refueling a generator on July 18, a spark of static electricity ignited the fuel, engulfing her in flames.

She suffered severe burns over the majority of her body and was being treated for her injuries at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio where she received numerous surgeries and skin grafts. However, after battling these injuries for more than a month and a half, the severity of the wounds proved to be fatal.

Heredia was remembered as a shy yet friendly young Soldier with unlimited potential.

"She was every bit a promising young Soldier developing in our ranks," Tarsa said. "Admired for her steady work ethic, she was a cherished friend to fellow Soldiers across the battalion for her ready support and her genuine kindness."

Her company commander, Capt. Amilcar Ortiz, told of Heredia's plans to attend college after completing her enlistment with the goal of returning to the Army as a commissioned officer.

"I have no doubt she would have been successful – she was that smart and dedicated," he said.

Her roommate from Fort Hood, Texas, Pvt. Davina Fuller, said that from the moment the two of them met they hit it off instantly, and she shared stories of shopping and just hanging out with her friend. Fuller also reflected on how both her and Heredia were nervous when they found out they would be deploying to Iraq and how they found comfort in their friendship.

"She's one of the proud few who answered her countries call to service and traveled across the world to use her talents to improve other people's lives," Ortiz said. "She showed us that every passing life in this world leaves something beautiful behind. Her love of life influenced her fellow Soldiers as well, and while we mourn her loss, our lives are better for having known her."

Spc. Marisol Heredia is survived by her mother, Rosa, her three sisters, Claudia, Carolina and Azusena and her fiancé, Sgt. Travis Beaumont.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2007
• Date Posted: 09.17.2007 08:59
• Story ID: 12371
• Location: IQ