Army Pfc. Alexis V. Maldonado

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Alexis V. Maldonado, 20, of Wichita Falls, Texas

Pfc. Maldonado was assigned to 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; died Aug. 21, 2010 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire in Zhari province, Afghanistan.

Texoma is mourning the loss of a Wichita Falls native killed in Afghanistan. Private First Class Alexis V. Maldonado, 20, died August 21 at Kandahar Air Field. Officials said he died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked Maldonado's unit using small arms fire. Maldonado's unit was attacked in Zhari province. Maldonado was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas.

Maldonado has a two year old son. He spent his high school years at Rider High School and Harrold School before obtaining his GED. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 3, 2009. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for training and was then assigned to Fort Hood. Maldonado deployed to Afghanistan on January 23.

Maldonado served as a primary .50-caliber machine-gunner and an RG31-MK2 driver.

Maldonado’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon.

Family members say he was passionate about his 2-year-old son, Isaiah, music and keeping himself in top physical condition for duty.

"We were very worried because it's a chance that he might lose his life down there and we were really worried for him," said his aunt, Cristina Rodriguez.

She says Maldonado's two year old son was his pride and joy, and that he loved joking around with everyone.

"Always makin' us laugh. Always. He was a good guy. He was really, really calm. Quiet, but when he knew you, he knew you, and he would make you laugh about everything," she said.

Maldonado was set to be married in December. His aunt says she wants Texoma to remember his service to his country. "He fought 'til the end. He was our hero. The hero of our family," she said.

Army Pfc. Alexis V. Maldonado was killed in action on 8/21/10.