Hugh V. Mendoza

Died: October 25, 2007

Rank: Specialist

Unit: 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

Branch: U.S. Army

Specialist Hugo V. Mendoza died on October 25, 2007, from wounds received during an ambush in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. The 29-year-old combat medic died under a hail of rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, and small arms as he tried to save a wounded Soldier being dragged away by Taliban forces. Specialist Mendoza threw grenades at the enemy, preventing them from taking the Soldier, who also was killed in the attack. He was laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.