Army, Corporal
Based: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry,
3rd Infantry Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom
Died: October 27, 2004
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
Single
Gender: Male
Hometown: Perris
Cpl. Billy Gomez of Perris, California died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he was taken after his vehicle struck a homemade bomb Oct. 20 in Naka, Afghanistan. He was a member of the medical corps and enlisted in the Army in August 1997. Originally from Perris, Calif., Gomez was the youngest of triplets. Both of his brothers are also in the Army. Mark is a member of 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, serving on Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan, and Joey is assigned to a unit on Fort Sill, Okla. He was 25.Army
Wolfhounds
Headquarters Company
2nd Battalion
27th Infantry Regiment
25th Infantry Division (Light)
Schofield Barracks
Billy Gomez was a true friend of mine..we were stationed at Fort Bragg,NC together. He would always put a smile on your face no matter what the situation was..We both re-enlisted for Hawaii and was stationed there together before we both were deployed..My family had him over for Thanksgiving dinner because neither one of us had family there..I miss you brother!!
— SSG Chris PettitMay 20, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.
It is hard to think that he is gone forever. But he is only gone physically and still lives within our memories... I miss my brother.— Debbie GomezMay 25, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.
sorry i wasnt there to protect u billy...— Robinson PrietoMay 31, 2010 at 11:17 p.m.
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| Spc. Visala Tui (see below), a medic with HHC, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., pays his respects following a memorial service for his best friend, Cpl. Billy Gomez Oct. 30 at Forward Operating Base Orgun -E, Afghanistan. Gomez, who was also a medic in HHC, 2-27, died Oct. 27 from injuries he sustained when his vehicle hit an IED Oct. 20 in Afghanistan. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Rhen. Find more pictures of Army Corporal Billy Gomez' memorial here (scroll down once you reach the link): |
The Loss of a Friend
Wolfhounds of the 2nd Battalion,
27th Infantry Regiment remember a
fallen comrade at a memorial service
held at Orgun-e FOB on 30 October.
CPL William Gomez, 25, of
Perris, California died on 27 October at
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in
Germany of wounds sustained from an
IED attack.
CPL Gomez, a Combat Medic
assigned to HHC 2-27IN, was critically
wounded when an improvised explosive
device destroyed his Humvee while on
patrol in Paktika Province, Afghanistan
on 20 October.
Two other 2-27 soldiers seriously
wounded in the same attack are
recovering.
CPT Daniel Beard, Headquarters
Company Commander, described CPL
Gomez as a quality soldier and dedicated
medic.
“There was nothing CPL Gomez
would not and could not do for the good
of the mission,” CPT Beard said.
Medical Platoon Leader, 1LT
William Curtis, said CPL Gomez was
one of the most competent medics in the
platoon.
“If I had a platoon of medics like
him I’d have no worries," said 1LT
Curtis.
CPL Gomez entered the United
States Army on 11 August 1997. He
was assigned to Schofield Barracks in
July of 2001. In March 2004 he was
deployed to Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom as part of
the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
During his combat tour in
Afghanistan, CPL Gomez earned the
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, the Combat
Medical Badge, and the Purple Heart.
Previous awards include the Army
Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service
Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal,
the National Defense Service Medal, and
the Expert Field Medical Badge.
PFC Jerry Little said his coworker
was a true friend and type of guy
you could always count on.
“He was a great person. If you
needed something he was there,” PFC
Little said. “He was liked and respected
by everyone who knew him.”
SPC Visala Tui spoke at the
memorial service paying tribute to his
best friend.
“I’m thankful to have had him as
a friend in my life the last three years,”
he said. “I can look back at all the
memories of the good times we had.”
“I will never forget him. He will
always be in my heart now and forever.”
SPC Tui shared how he would
tell his children about CPL Gomez.
“He’s the person who helped
their daddy…the hero who fought for
their freedom,” he said. “They will hear
stories of how great he was, how tough
he was, and how he inspired others to
fight on.”
"Because of CPL Gomez,
America is America today. I will always
miss you, Billy, my friend.”
All soldiers of the 25th Infantry
Division will miss his presence and
friendship both on and off the battlefield.
His dedication to his duty,
professionalism and faith is a model for
all to follow. His love for country,
family and friends is an inspiration to us
all.
CPL Gomez was the youngest of
triplets. He is survived by his two
brothers, Army SGT Mark Gomez who
is currently deployed to Afghanistan
with the 2-35IN, 25th ID(L), and Army
SGT Joey Gomez who is assigned to
Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He is also survived
by his sister Debbie Gomez, and his
mother Maria Rivas.
-MH
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