27 Oct 2007:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 1255-07
October 27, 2007

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DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died of wounds sustained when they came in contact with enemy forces using RPG, machine gun and small arms fire during combat operations on Oct 25, in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Killed were:

Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan, 22, of Ontario, Ore., who died Oct 26 in Asadabad, Afghanistan..

Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza, 29, of Glendale, Ariz., who died Oct 25.

For further information related to this release, contact the Southern European Task Force public affairs office at 011-39-0444-71-7011 or 011-39-0444-71-8020.

Army medic from Glendale dies in ambush in Afghanistan
Beth Duckett
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 28, 2007 12:00 AM

An Army medic who graduated from Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix was killed Thursday in combat in Afghanistan

Family members said Saturday that Specialist Hugo V. Mendoza, 29,of Glendale, was an avid churchgoer who dreamed of becoming a firefighter.

Mendoza, 29, died Thursday in Korengal Valley after his unit was ambushed by enemy forces, according to the Department of Defense Web site. .

Mendoza's brother, Carlos Mendoza, Jr. of Glendale said his brother was deployed in June to Vicenza, Italy, where his unit is based, The two brothers lived together with Carlos' wife and three children.

"He liked to bowl and liked to play with my kids," Carlos said. "The older he got, the more loving he got."

In a tearful but steady voice, Carlos, 37, said Hugo joined the service last year to get medical training.

"Once he got money for being in service, he was going to use it to go to school and follow his dream of being a firefighter," Carlos said.

Born in California, Hugo Mendoza spent most of childhood days in El Paso, Texas. As a high school junior, he moved to Phoenix 12 years ago.

He worked in sheet metal construction after he graduated from high school, his brother said.

Since joining the army, Mendoza the remained close with family, calling his mother Sara Mendoza in Detroit every time he had the chance. The Mendozas last heard from him Oct. 17, when he left a cheerful message on the family's answering machine.

"He sounded in good spirits and was in a good mood . . . calling to tell us how he was," Carlos Mendoza said.

Maria Velasquez, 18, of Phoenix a friend who has known Mendoza since she was a tot, said, "Hugo was like my own brother, my own uncle. He was everything to us . . . It's been hard, it's been very hard."

While mourning their loss, family and friends said they are trying to remember all the positive things about Hugo.

"He had an infectious smile," his brother said. "He treated you the way you wanted to be treated. He was very giving of himself and his time, especially recently."

Funeral services are expected to be held this week in El Paso, he said.

18 Aug 2007
Hello America! My name is Hugo and Im currently in Afghanistan serving for a little while. Im a medic and am responsible for the health of infantry soldiers. Needless to say the job is very rewarding but I still miss some of the perks of being at home like electricity, running water, clean clothes and McDonalds. If you would like to send a few things to support us here is a list of a few things. Deet (to keep mosquitos away), canned foods (i.e. chef boyardee rice with chicken), candy (like lemonheads or something), socks (we do a lot of walking), pastries(oatmeal creme pies, honey buns etc.), small battery operated fans(cause its hot). These are just a few of the items I think would be helpful. If you know about this website then you're probably a grateful American and have probably sent to people before and might have a few ideas of your own! Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you for your support. God bless!

                         Doc Doza