Alfonso Ochoa Jr., 20

Marines, Lance Corporal

Based: Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force

Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom

Died: October 10, 2009

Farah province, Afghanistan

Married

Gender: Male

Hometown: Armona

High School: Hanford West High (Hanford)

Ochoa was killed October 10 in Farah province, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device. He married his wife, Angie, just weeks before he left for Afghanistan.

Jesus O. Flores, Jr., 10/15/2009

Joshua M. Hardt, 10/03/2009

23 memories of Alfonso Ochoa Jr.

“

Dear Ochoa Family-
I am sitting here in tears at the loss of your beloved son. My son LCpl Alex Minsky was one of the first to be critically injured from the 2/3, June 1st, when they first deployed. He is recovering and I am thankful. I can never say that I can imagine how you feel, because I can not, even watching my son at deaths door. After spending these past months in many military hospitals and with marines. I KNOW his brothers will NEVER forget him, and we shall not either. I will pray for your families strength and thank your family for your sons desire to be a marine. I was there when they graduated, as they went to boot camp together. We honor your sons service.
Jackie Minsky
Orange County, Ca

” — Jackie Minsky, October 20, 2009 at 2:42 p.m.

“

To Alfonso's family and friends

This is not easy for me to hear about or speak on, but I too am deeply saddened for your loss. It will be 5 years on the 30th when I lost my son in Iraq. He too was a MARINE stationed in Hawaii...and was only 20 years old. The hurt and loss will never go away, but you need to come to the understasnding that the Lord wanted your Marine in Heaven with him to serve a much greater calling...a calling that we will not fully understand until we see our loved one again. I was sad to hear that the funeral service is today 10/22 I would have loved to attend. I would love to speak to you and meet with you if you'd like. I live in Hanford and teach school in Armona where I understand Alfonso went to school. Please know that I will pray you all find the strength to get through this time and please call me anytime day or night if I can help you. Siempre Fi

” — Lori L Sifton, October 22, 2009 at 11:51 a.m.

“

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ochoa and family,

There are no words that can possibly ease your pain and feelings of loss. Alfonso impacted many and will be remembered, not just as a Brave and Honorable man, who was committed to his duty; but, as a close and trusted friend and man who was very giving and caring for all of his friends.

My step son was Alfonso's room mate in Hawaii. Alfonso, our son and three other Marines became very close friends. While our son became a member of Golf 2/3 and was deployed at Now Zad and Dahaneh, in Helmand province, Alfonso and the other three became part of Echo and Fox.

The five friends, kept in touch and even other members of our family and Alfonso became friends and kept in touch on Facebook. His humor was infectious and his character beyond reproach, a loyal and wonderful friend for those fortunate enough to have the opportunity to know him.

My wife and I first learned of what happened to Alfonso via one of the close friends who was deployed with him. My wife informed our son by phone.

As I see other Marine families, reaching out to you, perhaps only another 2/3 and Marine families would understand what you have gone through during these past 6 months and especially now. Know that all Marine Families are here to support and stand with you.

It's been said that our grief and sadness serves as a testiment to the impact of his life and the honor of his character. As the 2/3 Marines are now headed back to Hawaii, his four Marine brothers and our families, also grieve Alfonso's loss.

There is no way to separate the young man from the Marine; nor, the Marine from the young man. They are forever joined and yet it is the young man, who served as a Marine that we all remember and we honor. Thank you for Alfonso and for the opportunty to know such fine young man. We are blessed and forever impacted because of him. We will hold Alfonso and you in our hearts.

Rob

” — Rob Abbott, October 25, 2009 at 8:58 p.m.

“

Familia Ochoa.
I took some time for me to come here, and find a way to share my thoughts with you, especially since its a only been a few days since you said good bye to Alfonso. I'm a Staff Sergeant, and have served in the Marines since November 1992. I grew up in Lemoore, and Armona so hearing of a Marine passing from where i grew up hit home with me. I have a little 2 yrold girl, I cannot imagine , nor do I want to try to feel what your whole family is going thru, my heart is out to you. Always know that when Alfonso joined the Marines, your Family grew even more. Alfonso will forever be a Warrior whom fought, and served HIS country honorably...This November 10th the MArine Corps birthday, I will drink to him..

” — Robert Gonzalez, October 27, 2009 at 5:40 p.m.

“

My name is John. I was 2nd team leader in Ochoa's squad. I just wanted to say that nobody can appreciate what he's done more than I can. He was one of the best marines I've ever met. Always doing what he was told without question, and never complaining. Whenever he was on security while we were on a mission, I knew I would be able to rest easy.

The day he fell had made me numb to everything that had been going on since we had been there. It was such a shock, I couldn't react emotionally.

I thank him every day I'm here, because I have a newborn son. It could have been any of us in the back of the truck to dismount and sweep, but Ochoa jumped out first. It's painful to think about, but thanks to his sacrifice, my son will still have a father in this world.

I am deeply sorry for your loss. He was a very good man with a very good heart. He was dependable, and our squad loved him very much. Your family and He will always be in my prayers.

Thankyou for giving the world a man like him.

” — Lcpl John Haines, November 17, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.

“

10/9/2015 Dear Ochoa family. My name is Ellie Wood. I am a runner and am here in Washington DC running in the Army ten miler. I have run many full and half marathons, including the Marine Corp marathon in 2013 and 2014. I ran in 2013 for my dad, Major Frank Ferrante (USMC) it was amazing to have him there to cheer me on and to wear his dog tags that he wore in Vietnam. As I was running the race at mile 12 I came upon the blue mile. I was overtaken with sorrow as I saw pictures of those who passed away serving our country. I have decided to run in honor of a fallen soldier and asked for a Marine and was given your family members name, Marine Lance Corporal Alfoso Ochoa Jr. I am honored to run meaningful miles for the fallen, fighting and families. I would like to learn more about Alfonso if your wiling to share. elliefwood@gmail.com

” — Ellie Ferrante Wood, October 10, 2015 at 6:10 p.m.

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Alfonso Ochoa Jr., 20

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23 memories of Alfonso Ochoa Jr.