Giann C. Joya Mendoza, 27

Army, Sergeant

Based: Ft. Carson, Colo.

2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: June 28, 2007

Baghdad (southern part), Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: North Hollywood

High School: Birmingham Senior High (Van Nuys)

Foreign Country of Birth: Honduras

Mendoza was born on the Fourth of July in Honduras. After completing his first tour of duty, he took a job at Los Angeles' Mondrian Hotel, working his way up from busboy to an accounting position. But he felt himself being pulled back into the military.

Michael J. Martinez, 06/28/2007

Cory F. Hiltz, 06/28/2007

Four memories of Giann C. Joya Mendoza

“

One time, my brother was playing my grandmothers terrace and I was downstairs with my mom. I asked our mother, "Mom,can I have some coke?". My mother said OK, She then realized it was just enough for a few sips, she told me, "Carlota don't tell your brother, or else he'll get mad for not drinking any." I said. "OK mom". I went on my way and saw my brother coming in my direction. "What are you drinking?" He asked me in a strong tone of voice. Trying to hide the identity of my drink I said " COFFEE" I then took a sip and said "Ahhhhhhhhh." (I was drinking from a coffee cup.) He grabbed my cup and drank from it and finished the hole thing. I am 7 years younger than Giann. I was 5 at that time and his was 12.

” — Carlota (sister), May 27, 2008 at 1:15 a.m.

“

Mi hijo fue excepcional. Siempre demostró un gran amor por sus hermanos y hermanas. Tuvimos su presencia en 2 ocasiones cuando ya estaba en Iraq. No gustaba de dar pormenores de su trabajo como militar. Siempre tenía una sonrisa y rara vez le vi molesto, excepto en una ocasión que decidió pasar junto a nosotros unas vacaciones de verano porque saldríamos fuera de Tegucigalpa, resulta que el enfermó de fuerte gripe y no pudimos realizar el viaje. Decidí que debía inyectarse para cortar la gripa, me preguntó si le dolería a lo que le respondí que no. Después de la aplicación me miró con ojos de incredulidad porque si le dolió la inyección y lloró, creo que más porque le dije que no le dolería. Te amo hijo, para mi sigues vivo y a mi lado.

” — Juan Anibal Joya , July 19, 2017 at 11:56 a.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Giann C. Joya Mendoza, 27

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Four memories of Giann C. Joya Mendoza