FORT DRUM, N.Y., April 14, 2009 — Sgt. Raul Moncada, 29, was killed by enemy action while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom of wounds sustained when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle near Baghdad on April 13.
Moncada was a team leader in the 563rd Military Police Company, 91st Military Police Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. The 563rd MP Company deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in early February 2009.
Moncada joined the U.S. Marines Active Reserve in June of 1997. Moncada joined the active duty Army in June 2005 and completed training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before coming to Fort Drum in August, 2005. He previously deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom from November
2006 to February 2008.
Moncada's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Combat Service, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device and the Combat Action Badge.
He was a graduate of the Warrior Leader Course and the Combat Life Savers Course.
Moncada's home of record in Madera, California.
He is survived by his wife and child.
fresnobee.com -- Army Sgt. Raul Moncada was the father of Priscila, a 6-year-old girl with a toothy grin and a dimple that looks exactly like her father's. Moncada was expecting a second daughter, whom he had named Mia. He planned to return from his second tour of Iraq before her birth in July, end his decade-long military career and settle down.
Family members said another military representative told them that Moncada lost an arm and leg in the attack and died in a hospital.
"They don't know what happened," said Moncada's older brother, Ruben Moncada, expressing the family's frustration at hearing differing accounts of the attack.
Photo: Ruben Moncada looks at photos of brother Raul while his sisters, from left, Alex, Miriam and Daniela, talk about their brother at their home in Madera Ranchos after learning of Raul's death in Iraq. Raul was killed Monday by an explosion.
On Tuesday, Moncada's distraught mother, Obdulia, entered the family's living room crying and then sat in a chair. Priscila, her granddaughter, came over and hugged her. Obdulia Moncada held the girl silently for three or four minutes before she managed a slight smile and then left the room.
"My mom is taking it really hard. He was like my mom's everything," said Miriam Moncada, Raul Moncada's 25-year-old sister. "We're still kind of in shock, like it's not real."
The family said that Moncada enrolled in the Marines at age 17 -- less than a week after graduating from high school -- with his mother's consent. He was honored at one point as the youngest active-duty Marine in the country, his family said.
Moncada served in the Marines for six years before taking a one-year break and returning to the military in June 2004, this time in the Army's military police program. He was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, N.Y.
His first tour of Iraq was from November 2006 to March 2008. He returned to Iraq on Feb. 12 this year; his job was to help train the Iraqi police. Family members said they sent him candy and coloring books that he gladly distributed to Iraqi children.
Moncada was eager to get to know the locals, who were convinced he was Arab because of his dark skin, his family said. He would jokingly tell them they looked like Mexicans.
He wanted to become a state correctional officer after finishing his military career, his family said. They said he was in the process of divorcing his wife in Madera Ranchos and wanted to settle down with his girlfriend in New York, with whom he was expecting his second daughter.
Moncada was the third oldest in a family with four brothers and three sisters, ranging in age from 18 to 38. In high school, Moncada competed for the wrestling and baseball teams. He was a pitcher who could hit. In one game, he hammered three home runs.
"Whoever he talked to, whoever he came across, he made them laugh," said brother Ruben Moncada, 36. "If he liked you, he gave you a nickname."
Alex Moncada, his 22-year-old sister, is an Army National Guard sergeant. She said she grew up with her brother playing at WWF wrestling and tackle football in the backyard. Everyone in the Moncada family is an Oakland A's baseball fan -- except for Raul, a loyal fan of Ken Griffey Jr., who returned to the Seattle Mariners this season.
On Friday -- less than two days before his death -- Alex Moncada text-messaged her brother about the game between the A's and the Mariners. "Ha, ha, Griffey struck out," she texted him. His playful reply: "Whatever. We're going to win." And the Mariners did.
That was the last time she heard from him.
"It just doesn't seem real," Miriam Moncada said.
Ruben Moncada agreed. "It's like I can't wake up."
==Another news story==
Madera, Calif. (KMPH News) - Inside their home in the Madera Ranchos, the Moncada family finds solace in each other after the death of Sgt. Raul Moncada leaves a huge void in their hearts.
"It hit my mom the hardest," said his younger sister, Alex Young.
Young says the toughest part is not knowing exactly how her brother was killed.
In a statement to the public, the U.S. Department of Defense said the 29-year old died near Baghdad, Iraq of wounds he sustained when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Sgt. Moncada was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom when he died April 13th.
But Young says there are discrepancies in the explanation her family was given by the Casualty Advisor that came to their door Monday.
"The first story we got was that he passed away instantly, which is a relief because he didn't suffer, but when we got the second story, it was completely different," said Young.
Young says her brother's wife was told by a separate Casualty Advisor that Sgt. Moncada did suffer and that he died at the hospital and not at the scene.
"So, that's why we don't know and that's what hurts," said Young.
His mother is also in pain. On Tuesday, she embraced her son's childhood friend when he stopped by to pay his respects.
"It's tough to see people hurt like this. The Moncada family is known for their smiles, you talk to anybody, they are the most smiling, caring family and they welcome you into their house, just a loving group of people and I think everybody in this community, in the Madera Ranchos, knows that," said Chris Imperatrice.
The Moncada family has placed a cross, a rosary, and a picture of the Virgin Mary next to their brother's photo, an appropriate gesture says the young soldier's father, who says his son went to church every Sunday up until the day he died.
During an interview in Spanish he told KMPH News, "I don't want this to happen to anyone else, we just want answers," said his father, Raul Moncada.
Mr. Moncada says he did not receive a phone call from his son this past Sunday. He says his worst fears were confirmed when a Casualty Advisor knocked on his door a day later. They are now awaiting the final report from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Moncada:
"Maria and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Sergeant Raul Moncada, a dedicated soldier who served our country with pride and honor. His commitment to freedom, his fellow soldiers and the defense of the United States will never be forgotten. We join all Californians in sending our condolences to Raul's family and friends during this difficult time."
In honor of Sgt. Moncada, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
Sgt. Moncada is survived by his parents and six brothers and sisters. He also leaves behind a 6-year old daughter and another baby girl due this summer.
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Devil Dog!