Soldier Honored: Sergio Gudino

Army Specialist Sergio Gudino, 22, of Pomona, Calif., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Ga. He was killed on December 25, 2005 when a roadside bomb exploded near his M1A1 tank in Baghdad, Iraq.

A straight-A student at Claremont High School, SPC Gudino was a strong athlete who participated in football, wrestling and track. He married his wife Candy in December of 2001, shortly after he graduated high school. When SPC Gudino learned he was going to be a father, he focused on working and held three jobs. He worked at a UPS warehouse, a sandwich shop, and sold timeshares.

He decided to become a soldier in order to better support his family. “Sergio is like a big ol’ teddy bear,” said Victor Gudino, his eldest brother. SPC Gudino’s son was just 2 years old at his passing, but he still looks up to his father and wants to follow in his footsteps.

His son is a Folds of Honor Children’s Fund Scholarship recipient.