Army Cpl. Victor M. Langarica

Remember Our Heroes

Army Cpl. Victor M. Langarica, 29, of Decatur, Ga.

Cpl. Langarica was assigned to the 86th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; died in Baghdad on Jan. 20 when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed.

David Marino Reports
Fort Huachuca soldier dies in Iraq helicopter crash

Jan 26, 2007 07:51 AM EST

A Fort Huachuca soldier died when his Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq.

Friends and colleagues remember the life of Corporal Victor Langarica.

The 29-year-old died this past weekend in Mosul when a Black Hawk helicopter went down.

Military officials believe the chopper may have been shot down by insurgents.

Specialist Langarica was a member of Fort Huachuca's 11th Signal Brigade. He was a native of Decatur, Georgia.

In every picture, Cpl. Victor Langarica's personality shines through.

His bright smile, and his love for his son and daughter, always stood out to his fellow soldiers.

Specialist Charlie Harris says, "He talked about his kids everyday, he loved his kids. He wanted to give them something he never had."

Spc. Harris says Cpl. Langarica was like a brother.

Harris remembers when his friend got a tattoo on his arm.

Langarica was told by the tattoo artist, it was original and he was the only one who had it.

Turns out, three other soldiers got the same one.

"He said, 'When you see me, cover your sleeves up, cause I got mine first,' and these guys just kept going on about it," Harris said.

Spc. Harris says the Corporal also taught him a few important skills.

"I don't think nobody around here anywhere can out dance him. He taught me how to dance," Harris said.

On the job, the fallen soldier was serious and aimed for perfection.

1st Lt. Robert Ashman says, "He was always the one who stood out, who jumped on the mission right away. He was always one to accomplish everything right away."

Spc. Ashlee Kerrigan says, "When I needed help with something, he was right there."

Without Cpl. Langarica around, things will be different for the 11th Signal Brigade, but he'll always be a part of their family.

Harris says, "I'm going to miss him. I mean, I miss my partner."

Kerrigan adds, "When all the soldiers do come home, there's going to be that little piece missing."

Cpl. Langarica is the first soldier with the 11th Signal Brigade to die in Iraq.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 30 at Fort Huachuca's Main Post Chapel at 10 a.m.

Langarica will be buried in his home state of Georgia.

Army Cpl. Victor M. Langarica was killed in action on 1/20/07.