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- The People Behind The Sacrifice
Army Sgt. William M. Sigua
Died January 31, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom
21, of Los Altos Hills, Calif.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 31 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his unit came in contact with the enemy using small arms fire during combat operations.
Los Altos Hills soldier, 21, dies in Iraq
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Army Sgt. William M. Sigua relished his opportunity to teach 5th graders in his hometown of Los Altos Hills about what he was doing as a soldier in Iraq.
The 21-year-old Sigua regularly exchanged letters with the children in an effort to explain his job in Iraq.
“[William] believed he and his unit would make a difference,” said his mother, Jackie Sigua, in a statement. “There is no reason to think he wouldn’t. He had an impact on everyone he met and had many friends who looked up to him and will remember him as a hero.”
Sigua, an infantry squad leader, died Wednesday in Iraq from small-arms fire while on patrol in Bayji, Iraq, the Department of Defense confirmed. Sigua was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C.
“Sergeant Sigua was the type of leader you want your men to be, said Capt. Timothy Peterman, commander, Company C. “He was intensely focused upon accomplishing his duty, but he had a calm demeanor about him that put all at ease.”
Sigua joined the Army in July 2003 and was first deployed in September 2004 to bolster security for the Afghanistan elections. He deployed with his current unit in August.
Sigua’s mother said her son believed strongly in his work in Iraq.
“William was a remarkable son and a dedicated soldier and paratrooper. He had very strong convictions toward his career as a soldier ... and he strongly believed in our country’s mission in Iraq,” she said.
He is survived by his father, Juvenal Sigua and his mother. He is also survived by his brothers David Sigua and Jon Sigua.
A memorial service will be held for him by his unit in Iraq. Family funeral arrangements have not yet been made.