Navy Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez

Died October 8, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of North Miami Beach, Fla., assigned to 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Oct. 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while supporting combat operations.

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South Florida sailor killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A sailor from South Florida who died after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan had a large “S” tattooed across his chest because people called him Superman, friends said Oct. 10.

Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez, 22, of North Miami Beach died Oct. 8 from wounds suffered during combat in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, the Department of Defense said.

Gonzalez got the Superman tattoo “because he was always getting in accidents and coming out fine,” said Claudia Herrera, a former classmate.

Friends told The Miami Herald that Gonzalez was a newlywed whose wife was stationed in Germany with the U.S. military. His parents declined comment.

Gonzalez graduated in 2007 from Dr. Michael J. Krop Senior High School, where he served in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.

“He was a medic; he talked about becoming a doctor,” said Marina Leventhal, another former classmate. “He wanted to be a medic because he always wanted to help people.”

Gonzalez was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic, at Camp Lejeune, N.C.