TRIBUTE TO OUR MILITARY
Angel D. Mercado-Velazquez
Puerto Rico
September 1, 2006
1st Battalion
325th Airborne Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
DOD - September 6, 2006
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Angel D. Mercado-Velazquez, 24, died in Yusifiyah, Iraq, on Sept. 1 of injuries suffered from mortar fire during dismounted combat operations. Mercado-Velazquez was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Angel D. Mercado-Velazquez
Mercado joined the Army in June 2002 and reported to the division in January 2003. He was in Iraq with his battalion from February 2003 through February 2004 and went to Afghanistan to support the national elections in July 2005.
Mercado is survived by his wife, Sheila, and son, Angel, of Fayetteville, and stepdaughter, Sheiliane, of Fort Bragg.