Army First Sergeant Bobby Mendez

Army First Sergeant Bobby Mendez, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, was a military intelligence analyst assigned to the 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. 1SG Mendez died on April 27, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations.

1SG Mendez was born on September 18, 1967, in Brooklyn and entered the Army at age 20. During his 19-year career, he served in Germany and Korea, participated in Operation Desert Storm and completed two deployments to Iraq. From 1997 through 2001, he served at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, as an instructor at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

1SGT Mendez was active in the community by coaching Little League baseball and soccer. Staying true to his roots, he was an avid Yankees and Giants fan. Family members described him as funny, loyal, intelligent and completely devoted to being a soldier and leader.

1SG Mendez was survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.