Army Pfc. Alberto Garcia Jr., 23, Bakersfield; killed in combat in Baghdad
Alberto Garcia Jr. always wanted to be a soldier.
Born in Delano, Calif., and reared in Bakersfield, he worked for months to get into shape for the Army physical. Garcia passed, left for Iraq in August and was dead seven months later, a few days after his 23rd birthday.
On March 13, his unit was attacked with small-arms fire and an improvised explosive in Baghdad. Garcia, who attended boot camp at Ft. Benning, Ga., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany.
Reports published shortly after Garcia died said that he was devoted to his family and religion, and that he was a deacon in training at Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield.
He was said to love tattoos, motorcycles and hot rods. Family and friends teased him about his size 15 shoes.
Garcia’s former co-workers and pastor said his family did not wish to be interviewed, and a designated family spokesman failed to return telephone calls.
Garcia was born March 9, 1984. He grew up with his mother, Maria Alvarado, and two older sisters, Mercedes and Veronica.
He was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield after posthumously being awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for bravery.
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