Blackhawk Soldier - gone, but never forgotten

Photo By Master Sgt. Sheryl Lawry | The time-honored style for memorializing fallen Soldiers. More than 250 Soldiers packed the Salie Gym at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq to pay their respects to SSG Alberto Sanchez who was killed in action June 24 by an IED.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

07.06.2006

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAQUBAH, Iraq (July 2, 2006) " "We always followed the standard - for us - he was the standard," said Sgt. Dennis Leonard, about his squad leader, mentor and friend " Staff Sgt. Alberto Sanchez who was memorialized Sunday at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

Sanchez was a member of Blackhawk Company, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. He was known as a "quiet professional" who never had to raise his voice to get his Soldiers to get the job done. They did it willingly out of immense respect for their leader.

"He was the type of leader you never wanted to fail," Leonard said. Sanchez was killed by an improvised explosive devise June 24. His passing sent a shockwave through his company and all who knew him. "He was the pillar of his platoon and the company," said Capt. Larry Sharp, Blackhawk company commander.

Sharp continued with a story of the time the unit went skiing. Sanchez was there with his wife, Yesenia. During the day Yesenia took a bad fall and Sanchez basically carried her down the mountain. When his Soldiers caught up with them, they asked him to go back up, Yesenia even encouraged him to go, but he said no he was going to stay with his wife.

That was just the type of person he was, he was always there where he was needed most, Sharp explained. "Staff Sergeant Alberto Sanchez was a true American hero. He served with honor and great personal courage," said Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher, commander, 1-68 CAB. "It was my honor to face combat alongside him."

• Date Taken: 07.06.2006
• Date Posted: 07.06.2006 14:25
• Story ID: 7083
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ