Regina Reali

Tuesday, December 27 2005 @ 08:11 AM EST

www.fresnobee.com -- On Friday evening, Paul Reali of San Diego got a call he never wanted to receive. His only sibling, Regina C. Reali of Fresno, had died that day near Baghdad.

A civil affairs specialist, 25-year-old Sgt. Regina Reali was assigned to the Army Reserve's 351st Civil Affairs Command, which is based in Mountain View. She died from injuries she suffered when her vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device Friday. Army Sgt. Cheyenne C. Willey, 36, of Fremont, also was killed in the incident.



Reali was the third person from Fresno to die in combat in Iraq, and the ninth from the central San Joaquin Valley.

Described as an "awesome, loving, caring, intelligent" person, Reali "was a people person," said Paul Reali, 27. "She was always energetic. She had lots of friends."

Born in Denair, Regina Reali graduated from Fresno High School in 1999 and joined the Army in 2000. She worked at Home Depot in Clovis and was a student at Fresno City College, her brother said.

Reali was deployed to Iraq in the summer, and was promoted to sergeant in November, according to a press release by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

She was scheduled to return from Iraq in May and had about a year left in the service, Paul Reali said.

According to the press release, Reali was recommended for the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

She also is survived by her father, Richard Reali of A*censored*er.

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