Carlos Pineda, Marine Corporal -- Rest In Peace

Carlos Pineda, 23

Marines, Corporal
Based: Camp Lejeune, N.C.
8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died: June 24, 2005
Fallouja, Iraq
Married
Gender: Male
Hometown: Los Angeles
High School: James A. Garfield Senior High (Los Angeles)
Foreign Country of Birth: El Salvador
Burial: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier

Pineda was born in El Salvador and came to the U.S. as a child. He was in the process of becoming a citizen. Pineda was rescuing casualties when he was shot and killed.
Ana Pineda said her husband was something of a romantic. The day before he died, she received a package from him -- a gold charm with her name on it. A letter she received after his death said, "The Marine Corps may have my body, but you'll always have my heart."
In addition to his wife, Pineda is survived by his mother, Silvia Hernandez; his stepfather, Jose Luis Hernandez; a half brother, Jose Luis, 7; and a half sister, Natalie, 5.

Read more about Corporal Carlos Pineda here and here.