Army Staff Sgt. Jorge L. Pena-Romero

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Jorge L. Pena-Romero, 29, of Fallbrook, California.

SSG Pena-Romero died in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while his unit was conducting a mounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

Staff Sgt. Jorge Luis Pena-Romero was known for staying cool and lifting the spirits of people around him.

“You couldn’t ask for a better non-commissioned officer,” said Sgt. Jason Morris, a friend of Pena-Romero at the base. “As an individual, this guy was incredible — easy to talk to, always had some kind of smile on his face, always knew how to lighten people’s moods.”

Morris also said his friend was extremely reliable and always kept his word.

Pena-Romero was a machine gunner who had been in the Army since 1995.

“He was well-liked, and he was a mentor to many of the guys in the troop,” said Lindsey Keys, whose husband is the commander of Pena-Romero’s unit.

Pena-Romero is survived by his wife, Melissa, and three children.

Army Staff Sgt. Jorge L. Pena-Romero was killed in action on 07/16/05.