R.I.P. Pfc. Daniel J. Rivera

Name: Army Pfc. Daniel J. Rivera

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Age: 22

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From: Rochester, N.Y.

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Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas

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Incident: Army Pfc. Daniel J. Rivera died Oct. 18 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

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Died: October 18, 2009

(Taken from http://www.democratandchronicle.com/ on Oct. 21)The Department of Defense on Tuesday released details about the death of a Rochester soldier that occurred over the weekend.

According to military officials, Pfc. Daniel J. Rivera, 22, of Rochester died Sunday morning in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries he suffered in a motor-vehicle accident. Rivera's relatives initially thought he died in Afghanistan.

Rivera, a 2005 graduate of Victor High School, joined the Army in October 2008 and had been stationed out of Fort Hood, Texas, since December.

Family members said Rivera was on his first combat tour of duty when he was killed.

In his short Army career, Rivera had received numerous awards including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, said Fort Hood spokeswoman Nancy Bourget.

U.S. Army Capt. Linda North, spokeswoman for Rivera's combat division in Iraq, said Rivera's unit will hold a memorial service on Friday.

Rivera last visited his family in Rochester for his mother's birthday in August and had planned to return to Rochester next month, in time for the holidays, said his aunt Maria Rivera.

Relatives described Rivera as a thoughtful, caring and brave young man who deeply cared for his family.

In honor of Rivera, flags will be at half-staff Thursday at all state government buildings.