Special Forces Medic
United State Army
Killed in a training accident in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany.
Obituary
Shared here courtesy of immediate family.
SFC Jose (Tony) A. Hernandez was born December 23, 1960 in San Pedro California. He enlisted in the regular on February 25, 1980 at Ft. Leonard, Missouri. After Attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a medic, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Infantry Division Artillery in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1980 - 1982. He then returned to the United States where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, at Ft. Riley, Kansas, from 1982 - 1983. After his tour with the 1st Division, SGT Hernandez was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina, where he participated in the invasion of Grenada. In 1986 he entered Special Forces training as a medic, graduating in December 1987. His initial assignment as a Special Forces Medic was with the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft Devens, Massachusetts. In December 1990 he was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
SFC Hernandez's numerous awards and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), the Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2 Awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, both the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Master Parachutist Badge. SFC Hernandez was also a member of the Special Forces Association.
SFC Hernandez's 12 years of service was characterized by outstanding dedication to duty. A true professional, he will be missed and mourned by all whose lives he has touched.
SFC Hernandez is survived by his wife Theresa, his son Mark and his mother Rita Lozano Ryan.
Funeral services and burial will be conducted 8 February 1992 at Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Carson soldier killed.
By Rich Redding
Wherever there was war, pain and death, Tony Hernandez would lend a caring hand. The U.S. Army medic from Carson made a career out of helping the sick, the injured, the dying. His desire to excel may have cost the 31-year old his life. Hernandez, an expert skier and outdoor enthusiast, was killed Jan. 28 in a skiing accident during training in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany. He will be buried today with full military honors at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. "It was a very tragic, unfortunate accident," Maj. Barbara Goodno, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Friday. "He was a very active soldier." The accident ended the life of a man who wanted nothing more than to care for others, said his sister Christine. "Ever since I can remember, he wanted to be in the Army," the 26-year-old Carson resident said Friday. "That was his lifelong dream. He wanted to be one of the people who helped all of the soldiers who got in trouble. He was very courageous and adventurous." Hernandez joined the Army out of Carson High School, quickly moving up the ladder to become a sergeant first class in the elite Special Forces unit. The highly decorated 12-year veteran saw battle action in Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division and last year during Operation Desert Storm with the 10th Special Forces Group. Although his Special Forces wartime assignments remain undisclosed, his post-war duties do not. The San Pedro native was part of Operation Provide Comfort, the peacekeeping force that aided Kurdish rebels in the mountains of Iraq and Turkey. Hernandez was honored for establishing an aid station for the refugees fleeing war-ravaged Iraq. "He was responsible for saving countless lives," said Special Forces SFC Ron Blanchard, who served with Hernandez. "His selfless devotion set the standard for leadership." Christine Hernandez said the assignment was vintage Tony Hernandez for the man who loved children. "It broke his heart when he was there, "she said. "He wanted to bring the children home with him. It hurt him to see them suffer. Every kid who ever went near him adored him. It was just a gift he had." His wife, Theresa, said children surrounded her husband whenever he stepped outside for a walk near their base in Stuttgart, Germany. Perhaps it was his ever-present smile that attracted them, or maybe it was his gentle style, she said. "He loved children," said Mrs. Hernandez, 33. "And children loved him. They flocked to him. "He had a beautiful smile. He was a wonderful person who never had a harsh word for anybody. It was just his nature. He loved helping people."
California Birth Index
Name: Jose A Hernandez
Birth: 23 Dec 1960 at Los Angeles Co.
Mother's Maiden Name: Lozano
(Mother: Rita Lozano, per marriage index)
United State Army
Killed in a training accident in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany.
Obituary
Shared here courtesy of immediate family.
SFC Jose (Tony) A. Hernandez was born December 23, 1960 in San Pedro California. He enlisted in the regular on February 25, 1980 at Ft. Leonard, Missouri. After Attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a medic, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Infantry Division Artillery in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1980 - 1982. He then returned to the United States where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, at Ft. Riley, Kansas, from 1982 - 1983. After his tour with the 1st Division, SGT Hernandez was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina, where he participated in the invasion of Grenada. In 1986 he entered Special Forces training as a medic, graduating in December 1987. His initial assignment as a Special Forces Medic was with the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft Devens, Massachusetts. In December 1990 he was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
SFC Hernandez's numerous awards and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), the Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2 Awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, both the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Master Parachutist Badge. SFC Hernandez was also a member of the Special Forces Association.
SFC Hernandez's 12 years of service was characterized by outstanding dedication to duty. A true professional, he will be missed and mourned by all whose lives he has touched.
SFC Hernandez is survived by his wife Theresa, his son Mark and his mother Rita Lozano Ryan.
Funeral services and burial will be conducted 8 February 1992 at Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Carson soldier killed.
By Rich Redding
Wherever there was war, pain and death, Tony Hernandez would lend a caring hand. The U.S. Army medic from Carson made a career out of helping the sick, the injured, the dying. His desire to excel may have cost the 31-year old his life. Hernandez, an expert skier and outdoor enthusiast, was killed Jan. 28 in a skiing accident during training in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany. He will be buried today with full military honors at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. "It was a very tragic, unfortunate accident," Maj. Barbara Goodno, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Friday. "He was a very active soldier." The accident ended the life of a man who wanted nothing more than to care for others, said his sister Christine. "Ever since I can remember, he wanted to be in the Army," the 26-year-old Carson resident said Friday. "That was his lifelong dream. He wanted to be one of the people who helped all of the soldiers who got in trouble. He was very courageous and adventurous." Hernandez joined the Army out of Carson High School, quickly moving up the ladder to become a sergeant first class in the elite Special Forces unit. The highly decorated 12-year veteran saw battle action in Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division and last year during Operation Desert Storm with the 10th Special Forces Group. Although his Special Forces wartime assignments remain undisclosed, his post-war duties do not. The San Pedro native was part of Operation Provide Comfort, the peacekeeping force that aided Kurdish rebels in the mountains of Iraq and Turkey. Hernandez was honored for establishing an aid station for the refugees fleeing war-ravaged Iraq. "He was responsible for saving countless lives," said Special Forces SFC Ron Blanchard, who served with Hernandez. "His selfless devotion set the standard for leadership." Christine Hernandez said the assignment was vintage Tony Hernandez for the man who loved children. "It broke his heart when he was there, "she said. "He wanted to bring the children home with him. It hurt him to see them suffer. Every kid who ever went near him adored him. It was just a gift he had." His wife, Theresa, said children surrounded her husband whenever he stepped outside for a walk near their base in Stuttgart, Germany. Perhaps it was his ever-present smile that attracted them, or maybe it was his gentle style, she said. "He loved children," said Mrs. Hernandez, 33. "And children loved him. They flocked to him. "He had a beautiful smile. He was a wonderful person who never had a harsh word for anybody. It was just his nature. He loved helping people."
California Birth Index
Name: Jose A Hernandez
Birth: 23 Dec 1960 at Los Angeles Co.
Mother's Maiden Name: Lozano
(Mother: Rita Lozano, per marriage index)
Special Forces Medic
United State Army
Killed in a training accident in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany.
Obituary
Shared here courtesy of immediate family.
SFC Jose (Tony) A. Hernandez was born December 23, 1960 in San Pedro California. He enlisted in the regular on February 25, 1980 at Ft. Leonard, Missouri. After Attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a medic, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Infantry Division Artillery in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1980 - 1982. He then returned to the United States where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, at Ft. Riley, Kansas, from 1982 - 1983. After his tour with the 1st Division, SGT Hernandez was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina, where he participated in the invasion of Grenada. In 1986 he entered Special Forces training as a medic, graduating in December 1987. His initial assignment as a Special Forces Medic was with the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft Devens, Massachusetts. In December 1990 he was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
SFC Hernandez's numerous awards and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), the Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2 Awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, both the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Master Parachutist Badge. SFC Hernandez was also a member of the Special Forces Association.
SFC Hernandez's 12 years of service was characterized by outstanding dedication to duty. A true professional, he will be missed and mourned by all whose lives he has touched.
SFC Hernandez is survived by his wife Theresa, his son Mark and his mother Rita Lozano Ryan.
Funeral services and burial will be conducted 8 February 1992 at Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Carson soldier killed.
By Rich Redding
Wherever there was war, pain and death, Tony Hernandez would lend a caring hand. The U.S. Army medic from Carson made a career out of helping the sick, the injured, the dying. His desire to excel may have cost the 31-year old his life. Hernandez, an expert skier and outdoor enthusiast, was killed Jan. 28 in a skiing accident during training in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany. He will be buried today with full military honors at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. "It was a very tragic, unfortunate accident," Maj. Barbara Goodno, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Friday. "He was a very active soldier." The accident ended the life of a man who wanted nothing more than to care for others, said his sister Christine. "Ever since I can remember, he wanted to be in the Army," the 26-year-old Carson resident said Friday. "That was his lifelong dream. He wanted to be one of the people who helped all of the soldiers who got in trouble. He was very courageous and adventurous." Hernandez joined the Army out of Carson High School, quickly moving up the ladder to become a sergeant first class in the elite Special Forces unit. The highly decorated 12-year veteran saw battle action in Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division and last year during Operation Desert Storm with the 10th Special Forces Group. Although his Special Forces wartime assignments remain undisclosed, his post-war duties do not. The San Pedro native was part of Operation Provide Comfort, the peacekeeping force that aided Kurdish rebels in the mountains of Iraq and Turkey. Hernandez was honored for establishing an aid station for the refugees fleeing war-ravaged Iraq. "He was responsible for saving countless lives," said Special Forces SFC Ron Blanchard, who served with Hernandez. "His selfless devotion set the standard for leadership." Christine Hernandez said the assignment was vintage Tony Hernandez for the man who loved children. "It broke his heart when he was there, "she said. "He wanted to bring the children home with him. It hurt him to see them suffer. Every kid who ever went near him adored him. It was just a gift he had." His wife, Theresa, said children surrounded her husband whenever he stepped outside for a walk near their base in Stuttgart, Germany. Perhaps it was his ever-present smile that attracted them, or maybe it was his gentle style, she said. "He loved children," said Mrs. Hernandez, 33. "And children loved him. They flocked to him. "He had a beautiful smile. He was a wonderful person who never had a harsh word for anybody. It was just his nature. He loved helping people."
California Birth Index
Name: Jose A Hernandez
Birth: 23 Dec 1960 at Los Angeles Co.
Mother's Maiden Name: Lozano
(Mother: Rita Lozano, per marriage index)
United State Army
Killed in a training accident in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany.
Obituary
Shared here courtesy of immediate family.
SFC Jose (Tony) A. Hernandez was born December 23, 1960 in San Pedro California. He enlisted in the regular on February 25, 1980 at Ft. Leonard, Missouri. After Attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a medic, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Infantry Division Artillery in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1980 - 1982. He then returned to the United States where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, at Ft. Riley, Kansas, from 1982 - 1983. After his tour with the 1st Division, SGT Hernandez was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina, where he participated in the invasion of Grenada. In 1986 he entered Special Forces training as a medic, graduating in December 1987. His initial assignment as a Special Forces Medic was with the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft Devens, Massachusetts. In December 1990 he was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
SFC Hernandez's numerous awards and badges include the Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3 Awards), the Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2 Awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, both the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Master Parachutist Badge. SFC Hernandez was also a member of the Special Forces Association.
SFC Hernandez's 12 years of service was characterized by outstanding dedication to duty. A true professional, he will be missed and mourned by all whose lives he has touched.
SFC Hernandez is survived by his wife Theresa, his son Mark and his mother Rita Lozano Ryan.
Funeral services and burial will be conducted 8 February 1992 at Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Carson soldier killed.
By Rich Redding
Wherever there was war, pain and death, Tony Hernandez would lend a caring hand. The U.S. Army medic from Carson made a career out of helping the sick, the injured, the dying. His desire to excel may have cost the 31-year old his life. Hernandez, an expert skier and outdoor enthusiast, was killed Jan. 28 in a skiing accident during training in the Bavarian Alps of Southern Germany. He will be buried today with full military honors at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. "It was a very tragic, unfortunate accident," Maj. Barbara Goodno, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Friday. "He was a very active soldier." The accident ended the life of a man who wanted nothing more than to care for others, said his sister Christine. "Ever since I can remember, he wanted to be in the Army," the 26-year-old Carson resident said Friday. "That was his lifelong dream. He wanted to be one of the people who helped all of the soldiers who got in trouble. He was very courageous and adventurous." Hernandez joined the Army out of Carson High School, quickly moving up the ladder to become a sergeant first class in the elite Special Forces unit. The highly decorated 12-year veteran saw battle action in Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division and last year during Operation Desert Storm with the 10th Special Forces Group. Although his Special Forces wartime assignments remain undisclosed, his post-war duties do not. The San Pedro native was part of Operation Provide Comfort, the peacekeeping force that aided Kurdish rebels in the mountains of Iraq and Turkey. Hernandez was honored for establishing an aid station for the refugees fleeing war-ravaged Iraq. "He was responsible for saving countless lives," said Special Forces SFC Ron Blanchard, who served with Hernandez. "His selfless devotion set the standard for leadership." Christine Hernandez said the assignment was vintage Tony Hernandez for the man who loved children. "It broke his heart when he was there, "she said. "He wanted to bring the children home with him. It hurt him to see them suffer. Every kid who ever went near him adored him. It was just a gift he had." His wife, Theresa, said children surrounded her husband whenever he stepped outside for a walk near their base in Stuttgart, Germany. Perhaps it was his ever-present smile that attracted them, or maybe it was his gentle style, she said. "He loved children," said Mrs. Hernandez, 33. "And children loved him. They flocked to him. "He had a beautiful smile. He was a wonderful person who never had a harsh word for anybody. It was just his nature. He loved helping people."
California Birth Index
Name: Jose A Hernandez
Birth: 23 Dec 1960 at Los Angeles Co.
Mother's Maiden Name: Lozano
(Mother: Rita Lozano, per marriage index)
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