Military Times
Honor The Fallen
Honoring those who fought and died in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn
Search Our Database





  





Bookmark and Share

Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr.

Died January 18, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom


26, of Chicago; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 18 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.

Soldier was known for his smile

The Associated Press

Roberto Andrade Jr. joined the Army in 2001 and was finishing his third tour in Iraq. His grandmother said he was hard to miss.

“If people asked you which one was he, you would say, ‘He was the one with the smile.’ He was very soft spoken, but he could command with that smile,” Vicky Munari said.

Andrade, 26, of Chicago, died Jan. 18 in Baghdad when an explosive struck his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Hood and enjoyed playing soccer, football and basketball.

“His dedication to his job and soldiers were unmatched, and he had a quiet strength about him,” said Lt. Col. Scott McKean, Andrade’s battalion commander. “Staff Sgt. Andrade embodied perseverance, courage and devotion to duty.”

He also is survived by his mother, Sandra Valencia; his father, Roberto Andrade Sr.; and his stepmother, Veronica Andrade.

“He always led by example in everything, and he strived to be the best and expected nothing less from his soldiers,” said Capt. William Hollbrook, Andrade’s company commander. “He was inspiring and his memory will live on with us for the rest of our lives.”

View By Year & Month

2002   2001

Military Times
© 2018 Sightline Media Group
Not A U.S. Government Publication