Army Sgt. Conrad Alvarez

Died February 20, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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22, of Big Spring, Texas; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device on Feb. 19. Also killed were Cpl. Albert Bitton and Spc. Micheal B. Matlock Jr.

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3 Campbell soldiers killed in IED attack

The (Clarksville) Leaf-Chronicle

Three 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Wednesday of wounds suffered when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday.

Killed were Sgt. Conrad Alvarez, 22, of Big Spring, Texas; Cpl. Albert Bitton, 20, of Chicago; and Spc. Micheal B. Matlock Jr., 21, of Glen Burnie, Md.

All three were with 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, according to a news release from Fort Campbell.

Alvarez was an infantryman assigned to A Company. He entered the Army in March 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2005, according to the news release.

He is survived by his wife, Maria, of Oak Grove, Ky.; daughters, Celeste and Alyssa, of Sweetwater, Texas; father, Arthur; and mother, Belinda Alcala, of Big Spring, Texas.

Alvarez’s awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Bitton was a medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company. He entered the Army in November 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in June 2006, according to the news release.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Handelman, of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; and parents, Elie and Sylvia, of Chicago.

Bitton’s awards and decorations include National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Matlock was an infantryman assigned to A Company. He entered the Army in August 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2006, according to the news release.

He is survived by his wife, Breon, and son, Byron, of Severna Park, Md.; father, Micheal Matlock Sr., of Vansboro, N.C.; and mother, Sheena Douglas, of Glen Burnie, Md.

Matlock’s awards and decorations include National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

A memorial service will be held in Iraq. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony on the second Wednesday of each month.

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Comrades, coaches remember fallen soldier

The Associated Press

When Conrad Alvarez and Sgt. Drew Wroblewski were in Iraq together, Alvarez heard that Wroblewski had been injured in an attack.

“He was the first person at the aid station making sure I was OK,” said Wroblewski. When Alvarez learned Wroblewski was not seriously injured, he scolded him.

“He told me never to do that again,” Wroblewski said. “He said ‘If I lost you, I don’t know what I would do. You’re my best friend, and I’ll always be there for you.”’

Alvarez, 22, of Big Spring, Texas, was killed by a roadside bomb Feb. 20 in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.

Wes Williams, Alvarez’s former football and track mentor, remembered him as a dedicated athlete who was a dream to coach.

“He was tough, loyal, fearless and intense,” Williams said. “He carried a sense of pride with him that you just don’t see

every day.”

Once, he broke his arm in a seven-on-seven football tournament.

“It was four or five hours before the doctor was able to get there,” said Williams. “All that time, Conrad never complained. He never wanted anyone to worry about him.”

He is survived by his wife, Maira, and daughters Alyssa and Celeste.