Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr.

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr., 26, of Chicago

SSgt. Andrade was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 18, 2009 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.

Soldier was known for his smile
The Associated Press

Roberto Andrade Jr. joined the Army in 2001 and was finishing his third tour in Iraq. His grandmother said he was hard to miss.

“If people asked you which one was he, you would say, ‘He was the one with the smile.’ He was very soft spoken, but he could command with that smile,” Vicky Munari said.

Andrade, 26, of Chicago, died Jan. 18 in Baghdad when an explosive struck his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Hood and enjoyed playing soccer, football and basketball.

“His dedication to his job and soldiers were unmatched, and he had a quiet strength about him,” said Lt. Col. Scott McKean, Andrade’s battalion commander. “Staff Sgt. Andrade embodied perseverance, courage and devotion to duty.”

He also is survived by his mother, Sandra Valencia; his father, Roberto Andrade Sr.; and his stepmother, Veronica Andrade.

“He always led by example in everything, and he strived to be the best and expected nothing less from his soldiers,” said Capt. William Hollbrook, Andrade’s company commander. “He was inspiring and his memory will live on with us for the rest of our lives.”

Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Andrade Jr. was killed in action on 01/18/09.