Green Beret and Army Staff Sgt. Richard L. Vazquez, 28, died Nov. 13 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Vazquez suffered his fatal wounds when the enemy attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device while he was on dismounted patrol in Panjwai, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Vazquez was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
He grew up in Seguin, Texas. The Seguin Gazette reports Vazquez attended Seguin High School, and joined the Army shortly after graduating in 2004.
Romario Vazquez told the Seguin Gazette of his brother:
“He loved defending his country and he did it well. I could sleep better at night knowing he was protecting us.”
In addition to his brother Romario, Richard Vazquez leaves behind sisters Celza, Christine, and Isabel Vazquez. He is also survived by his parents, Teresa Paddie and Ted Vazquez.
