Army Sgt. Rafael A. Rivera

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Rafael A. Rivera, 30, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Sgt. Rivera was assigned to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Feb. 5, 2008 in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat-related incident.

Paratrooper dies of injuries in non-combat incident
The Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division has died in Iraq from injuries sustained in a non-combat incident, the military said.

The Department of Defense said Feb. 6 that Sgt. Rafael Alicea Rivera, 30, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, died Feb. 5 in Tallil, Iraq.

The circumstances of his injuries weren’t disclosed, but the military said the incident was being investigated.

Alicea Rivera was assigned to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“His quiet personality with his motivated, charming smile always seemed to brighten the moment,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Davis, a fellow soldier. “His quiet, professional way seemed to calm all those who were around him.”

Alicea Rivera is survived by his mother, Carmen Lozada, and his sister, Wanda L. Alicea Rivera, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Army Sgt. Rafael A. Rivera died of non-combat related injuries on 2/5/08.