Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Army Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora

27, of Columbia, Missouri.
Mora died in Abu Graib/West Baghdad, Iraq, when his camp Log Base Seitz was hit by a mortar attack. He was assigned to the Army Reserve's 245th Maintenance Company, St. Louis, Missouri. Died on June 6, 2004.

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"Melvin was one of my Civil Air Patrol cadets in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He was an introverted, but brilliant young man who got along very well with all his friends. He was very quiet, sometimes shy, but he was confident and had many dreams about his future. Academics was his natural call but his background as a CAP cadet led him into joining the US Army. I introduced him to the military and sometimes I feel a little responsible for the path he chose. Seen one of my children fell was a heavy blow and I never summoned enough courage to say these words to his family. I served in the US Army twenty five years as an Infantry and Civil Affairs officer, losing a Soldier or in this case one of my cadets, only equals to losing a son. May God bless all of our Soldiers and bring peace to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Erick J. Herrera, LTC, CA (RET) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico

"I remember the morning that we were leaving Ft. Riley, Ks. Everyone was running around trying to get everything that they owned packed into duffel bags and down stairs to load on the truck. That was when I spotted Melvin in his boxers and t-shirt with his LBE on at the water fountain filling his canteens. This is still the first image that comes to mind whenever I think of Sgt Mora. The somewhat goofy always friendly sorely missed man of the stars. Rest In Peace. I am in your debt for the sacrifice you made."
SFC. Kenneth Grady (Ret) WIA at Log Base Seitze, 29 Feb 2004 of Phillipsburg, Mo.

"I was in the 245th and served with Sgt. Mora. I will never forget how nice of a guy he was and his positive attitude."
SFC Corey Lyon of Harmony mn

"My Name is Patrick Sullivan (SGT) Disabled Army Vet now, but anyways I was part of the first wave that got to Log Base Seitz in 2003. I was with the 53rd Quartermaster Company the Phantom Fuelers of Fort Hood, Texas. Log Base Seitz was an infierno and a everyday shell magnet. I remember meeting Sgt Mora weeks before my departure of Log Base Seitz. I gave him everything I collected during my time there that I would make his life more comfortable. He was such a good guy. I will never forget him. He is a fallen brother that will never be forgetten, along with PFC Jesse Mizener whom we lost during my time at Log Base Seitz in 2003-2004. You brothers are gone but never forgotten."
Patrick Sullivan (U.S. ARMY SGT) disabled vet of Orlando, Florida

"I was just thinking about the pick up basketball games Melvin would play with the group of guys we both played with over a few years at MU. He was full of energy and a big smile. A good hearted guy and is remembered in good ways by many people."
Matt of Orange County, CA

"I was stationed on Log Base Seitz and left just before this incident. My prayers go out to the family and I pray you find peace. God Bless"
SSG Joseph Martinez of Michigan

"Gracias a todas las personas que conocieron y con mi hermano Melvin, gracias por las palabras de elogio hacia mi hermano, se que el de una manera u otra impacto la vida de mucho, su deseo de aprender, su impetud, su deseo de superarce y crecer como persona, lo extraño todos los dias, y van 8 años desde q murio, gracias a todos, att Gamalier Mora"
Gamalier Mora of Arecibo, Puerto Rico

"I was there right after he was injured. I helped treat him and carry him to the medical clinic. I still remember him saying I can walk let me up Im ok then he would try and move on the strecher but realized he couldnt. I will remember him forever and prayed that day that God protected him and eased his pain. My condolences to his family. He was a good man and always a joy to be around."
SFC Michael Pais (RET) of 515th CSB Log Base Seitz 04-05

"I did not know him well, but I was also at LBS and I considered everyone there family. He is deeply missed by all. His spirit will live forever thru those who knew him. PEACE. 2004-2005 850th TC"
SSG. Jonathan Roberts of Lithonia, Ga.

"I just found out about Melvin death. I was in the same Basic Training platoon as Melvin (1st E 2/39 Ft Jackson). I remember him as a big goofy guy who was in the room across from mine and was always friendly and help full to everyone. God speed we will never forget!"
SFC Matt Graber of FT Bragg, NC

"I was 6 when I met him. And from then I was attached to him, he was the older brother I didn't have. before he went to MU, when he had jus arrived from puerto rico, he rented out our basement. I remember always helping him out, he'd have me practice my reading by reading his assignments and whatnot. And on my birthday, he surprised me when he wentvwith us to the zoo. Melvin will never be forgotten. He was such a genuinely good person, and he died protecting this country. You are a hero."
Maria Vaca, AGE:15 of Columbia, MO,

"Melvin was my neighbor at Mizzou, and we also had a lot of classes together, including a life changing class in quantum mechanics where we studied a lot together. He really was a special guy, I was working in the physics office when he showed up fresh off the boat from Puerto Rico, and I saw him mature over a couple of years into a really outgoing young student. His loss was just terrible. Absolutely terrible and changed the way I will look at America and the world. I miss him and his wonder at the universe, and I think the physics community will forever be at a loss because his worldview is missing. I hate war."
Hunter Husar of Chicago, IL

"Hey Melvin, I can't believe how long it's been since I stumbled across Log Base Seitz when I transferred from Taji to Camp Victory/Striker. My jaw hit the floor of the vehicle when I saw your name over the gate. It put me into a depression for the last few months of the deployment. I will never forget the funny things you did when I met you at ft Jackson in 1998, Or the times we had in Aberdeen proving Grounds/Baltimore. Keep smiling and keep helping us."
Ray Hegarty of Medford, Ma

"June 6, 2009
To the family of Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora:
Melvin gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"To the family, God Bless. I think about Melvin everyday. I was in charge of the QRF/Force Protection day-shift. Melvin was on the afternoon shift. He was preparing for duty that day when we were hit. All these years later, I somehow feel I should have done more. I will never forget him and will always honor him.Forever in my prayers."
Chris Salek of Muscatine,Iowa

"Sgt Mora, I was there that fateful Sunday morning, and would have been right there with you, except God and my wife wanted me to stick around a little bit longer. I so thought you were going to make it, and when you did not, it hit me right at home. I carried you to that ambulance and saaw you fighting for your life. You never came home, and neither have I,nor alot of the men and women who served at Log Base Seitz. I remember you as a PT guru and a gungy soldier,one who always was a professional, I know you are missed by your family and friends, and by we crazy West Virginians who served along side you in that hell we called home, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

freinds can contact me at lestweforget@suddenlink.net"
SSG TOM VANDE BURGT of 3664TH MAINTENCANCE CO WV

"I knew Melvin when he was a physics grad student at the University of Missouri. There was never a more genuinely friendly human being. Melvin always greated you with a hug, and always wanted to share his dreams with you. He had this amazing plan to turn abandoned missile silos in Puerto Rico into science museums. I am certain that he would have succeeded -- he was so passionately interested in education. Even though I didn't know him well, I was devastated by the news of his death. I wish I had taken time to know him better. I hope his family is aware how deeply he is missed. Four years later, I am still thinking about what a loss this is for all of us."
Jennifer Geib of Columbia, MO

"I had Melvin as a student in a course in the Department of Physics, University of Missouri. He was a great guy and a good student. We all miss him very much. The Department has created a scholarship fund in his memory. Please see:

http://www.physics.missouri.edu/events/melvin_mora.shtml

We will always remember you."
C. Wexler, Associate Professor of Physics of Columbia, MO

"Dear Family of Melvin Mora:

To honor the Missouri soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, the professional portrait artists of the Grateful Hearts project are offering to paint a portrait of the individual soldier for his family.

These 16"x20" original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition of the sacrificies made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families loss.

for information, please email us at gratefulheartsproj@sbcglobal.net

Sincerely;
The Artists of Grateful HEarts"
J.Gragg of Lee's Summit,MO

"When I first met Melvin I was at a party at MU, I knew that he was special because he was smiling and hugging everyone, including people he had just met. We became good friends and when I heard that he had passed on it was a very sad day. Later I realized that my brother-in-law was in his company in Iraq and was there when he passed. Such a small world, but it seemed as if Melvin knew everyone. He was a very lovable guy and will be missed greatly."
MARY GOCHE' of COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

"Mora, I think of you everyday and I hope that you are up in heaven looking down on all of us who served with you in the 245th. I truly believe that you keeped us safe while we spent the rest of the year in Iraq. To the Mora family I say that I'm so sorry for your lost. Melvin was a great man who was taken from you way to young. And I wish that I could have gotten to know him better and that I could have gotten more time with him. All my thoughts."
Spc. Rebecca Phillips of Bloomfield, Nebraska

"Mora...my friend, my buddy... I will never forget stargazing with you. I think you knew everything I was telling you but you entertained me anyway. I'll never forget our times in 1st squad. We miss you and I think of you often. I bet you know that too though..."
Sgt. Rhiannon Marchant (Britton) of Ft. Carson, CO, USA

"The day I discoverd that Melvin had died, it hit me harder than I could have ever imagined. He was a good friend and a great guy... ambitious, intelligent, and good natured. We were both physics majors at MU working with the same professor, both planning a career in astronomy and knew each other for years. Melvin was obsessed with our origins. I once helped him make a very elaborate poster describing the major steps from the Big Bang until the appearance of Homo sapiens. We studied together, chatted often, and had some good times. I miss him dearly. He was one of the best people I ever knew. When he was gone, I cleared out his old filing cabinet with piles of the most elaborate and well written physics and math notes I have ever seen. Few things in my life were harder.

Melvin, I hope your questions to our orgins are now answered. Rest in Peace brother. I miss you."
Duane Hamacher of Columbia, MO (now Sydney, Australia)

"The day I discoverd that Melvin had died, it hit me harder than I could have ever imagined. He was a good friend and a great guy... ambitious, intelligent, and good natured. We were both physics majors at MU working with the same professor, both planning a career in astronomy and knew each other for years. Melvin was obsessed with our origins. I once helped him make a very elaborate poster describing the major steps from the Big Bang until the appearance of Homo sapiens. We studied together, chatted often, and had some good times. I miss him dearly. He was one of the best people I ever knew. When he was gone, I cleared out his old filing cabinet with piles of the most elaborate and well written physics and math notes I have ever seen. Few things in my life were harder.

Melvin, I hope your answers to our orgins are now answers. Rest in Peace brother. I miss you."
Duane Hamacher of Columbia, MO (now Sydney, Australia)

"SGT Melvin Mora, was always smiling when you saw him in the hallways of the 245th building. He always had a high degree of respect for others. I could always tell when he was at my office door, because he would knock loudly and say "Sargento". He was a good Soldier, and he will be missed."
SFC Robert Burkett of St. Louis, MO USA

"I knew SGT Mora from talking with him on a fairly regular basis. He had big plans and dreams for his life. He truly impressed me with all that he had done in his life. I would like to offer my condolences to his family and tell them that he was truly a joy to be around. You could always rely on him for a smile and a kind word to cheer you up. The time that we spent to gether at the Log Base will always be remembered."
Chris Andrews of Santa Clara New Mexico

"Melvin, Oh melvin I am deeply saddened by your lost. I trained and was deployed with you and the 245th maintenance co. I only knew you for a short while but will never forget you. God bless you and your family. Thank you for all you've done.."
SPC Erica Simpson of Houston, TX

"Mora i miss you and will never forget you, your brother MAC"
SPC "MAC" of Still in sietz

"Melvin was my best friend. I met him my sophomore year in college when we both lived in the same house on Rosemary St. He was hilarious and the nicest person I have met, and brilliant. He was a big dreamer and a big thinker and I always enjoyed listening to him and talking with him. We had a lot of fun times together, going to clubs, looking over the town on the roof of his building, hanging out at our houses. I think about him all the time. I will always miss Melvin. His family should be proud of the wonderful person they helped raise."
Michael K of Columbia, MO, USA

"To SGT Mora's family, Melvin and I were promoted the same day in St. Louis and he became a good friend and someone to talk to, he always had an ear and good advice, I remember his smile and the way he used to say Sgt Miller, have missed you my friend."
SGT Keith Miller of Phoenix, Az

"I just wanted to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. I served with Melvin in Iraq and when he passed away I was really affected by it and still am today. Melvin, Hernandez and I would always meet in the morning to wash up. I think of him often! If you ever want to talk to me about our times over there please feel free to call me. 319-653-2501 x2"
SSG Miguel Adame of Washington, IA/USA

"I just wanted to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. I served with Melvin in Iraq and when he passed away I was really affected by it and still am today. Melvin, Hernandez and I would always meet in the morning to wash up. I think of him often!"
SSG Miguel Adame of Washington, IA/USA

"To the family of:Melvin Y. Mora I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington, GA

"Melvin, I will never forget you. We've trained together in St louis, Ft Riley, Kuwait, and made it the rough roads of Iraq to step foot in Log Base Seitz, and lose my brother. I will never go a day without remembering your smile. You are my hero! I love you 245th Maintenance Company remembers you always. OIF 04-05"
Spc Jessyca Johnson of St Louis, Missouri

"Before 2004, June 6th was known as D-Day for many. Since last year, and forever for me, it will always be SGT Melvin Y Mora day. Especially on this one year anniversary of your death, you have been in the thoughts of many who served with you. I saw SSG Hernandez yesterday injured in the same attack that took your life. He was doing well. You are in my thoughts forever."
CW3C of St. Louis Area, MO

"I want to send my prayers to you on the anniversary of Sgt. Melvin Mora's death. My husband was stationed with him and was there to honor him in his death. My husband talks very highly of Sgt. Mora and tells me what a great person he was. He always had a smile and was well liked by all. God Bless you."
Natalie Finger of Waterloo, IA

"Dear Mora Family,

Today (12/02/2004) I read the news about Melvin's heroic death in Iraq. I had studied with Melvin at University of Missouri - Columbia (Mizzou). He and I were staying at the same appartment complex (University Place). I feel proud to know him and thank him for sacrifying his life for protecting us. May god bless his soul."
Jignesh Shah of Chicago, IL

"in our high school, we are wearing rubber bands with a fallen soldiers name on it to honor our soldiers, and the soldier i am honoring is melvin mora. i would like to thank him and his family for standing up for our country and protecting our freedom"
chris of fond du lac, wisconsin

"I lived in the same apartment building where Melvin lived and worked. He always had a smile on his face and I regret not having gotten to known him better. Thank you, the Mora family, for sharing Melvin with us. I will never forget him and how he served this country."
YW of Columbia, MO

"Para la familia Mora y López:
Melvin fue un nuevo amigo para mí y sólo puedo pedir que Dios les acompañe a Uds. en estos momentos difíciles. Jamás lo voy a olvidar y las lecciones de la vida que me enseñó. Fue gran soñador, hombre, persona, y claro, gran soldado. ¡Que Dios los bendiga!"
Dawn F. Stinchcomb of Lafayette, Indiana

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten. For the family/friends: May time provide happy loving memories in place of present sorrows. Look to the sky for the infinite meadows of Heaven the bright shining stars bloom....the forget-me-nots of angels. God bless you and thank you."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

"Sergeant Mora, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"To the family of Melvin Mora. We send our condolences. May God heal your pain. Melvin is a HERO to his country, and he will never be forgotten."
I green family of Columbia Mo

"To Melvin's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Melvin, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To Melvin's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for his bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne, KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (Ernie's mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"Thank you Melvin Mora, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Melvin Mora:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Melvin for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Melvin Mora:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Melvin, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on