Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died of wounds sustained when the truck he was traveling in rolled over near Baghdad, Iraq, Monday.
Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, was an Infantry Team Leader 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
"Staff Sergeant Rivera was a squad leader in my platoon in 2005," said Capt. Patrick Koucheravy, a fellow soldier. "He and I deployed to Afghanistan together in the fall of that year to support Operation Enduring Freedom. What I remember most is his unique sense of humor and the high esteem the men of his squad reserved for him."
Rivera-Santiago joined the Army in August 1999. He arrived to the 82nd Airborne Division in August 2002.
“His squad really looked after each other and I believe this was a direct reflection of the way Staff Sergeant Rivera treated the soldiers under him," added Koucheravy. "He would go to bat for his men in a second, no questions asked."
Rivera-Santiago had two previous deployments. His first deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from February 2003 to February 2004. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2005 to November 2005.
Rivera-Santiago's awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Parachutist's Badge.
Rivera-Santiago is survived by his wife, Brooke Rivera; his son, Gregory Rivera, IV; his daughter, Xiomara; his step-daughter, Ayani Bowling, all of Fayetteville, N.C.; and his mother, Carmen Santiago, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.