Marisol Heredia was born on September 16th, 1987, in El Monte, California. She graduated from Mountain View High School a semester early in January 2005, a diligent French student who earned straight A’s in her French classes.
Specialist Heredia was known for her independent spirit, her kindness, and her strong work ethic. According to her older sister, Claudia Billiot, “if she wanted to do something, [she] was going to do it, no matter who said no.” After she graduated high school, she visited Zacatecas, Mexico, and was enamored with the experience. Billiot said, “Everyday in her life, she lived it to the fullest.”
Specialist Heredia aspired both to see the world and serve her country. She believed so strongly in the cause of serving in the U.S.’ mission overseas that she followed her sister into the Army and she was assigned to the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas as a petroleum supply specialist. She wanted to go to college after completing her enlistment and return as a commissioned officer. According to her family, she “was so determined that … she even taught herself to fire weapons with her left hand.”
Specialist Heredia would write home asking for Flaming Hot Cheetos, Doritos, truffles, beef jerky, and a French dictionary. Her former French teacher, Kris Hanna, once sent her a care package and felt dread when Specialist Heredia did not respond with a thank-you letter. She began to worry, and soon heard from Specialist Heredia’s younger sister Carolina, who was still a student at the high school, that Specialist Heredia had been in an accident.
On July 18th, 2007, Specialist Heredia was refueling a generator in the course of her duties in Baghdad, Iraq, and a spark caused the fuel to catch fire. The fuel spilled on Specialist Heredia, and 80% of her body was burned, leaving only her feet, which had been protected by her boots, untouched.
She was sent to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. She fought off a pneumonia infection that could have proven fatal, but soon another infection set in, and with her wounds and weakened system, Specialist Heredia succumbed to the infection.
Only 9 days from her 20th birthday, on September 7th, 2007, Specialist Heredia passed away. She was survived by her sisters, her brother-in-law, her mother and stepfather, and her fiancé, Travis Beaumont, with whom she served in Iraq.
Her awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Iraq Campaign Medal (Army), the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Bronze Star.
Forever remembered by those close to her as an adventurous, unique soul, Specialist Heredia leaves behind a legacy of having brightened the lives of those around her and enriching the world with her wonder and precociousness. She is buried at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana.
Sources:
https://www.fallenheroesproject.org/post/marisol-heredia
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/12371/red-dragons-remember-honor-life-fallen-trooper
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/marisol-heredia-obituary?id=26641963
https://www.wafb.com/story/7072605/baton-rouge-soldier-succumbs-to-wounds-she-received-in-iraq/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21477516/marisol-heredia
https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/marisol-heredia/
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-23-me-heredia23-story.html
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-spc-marisol-heredia/3029637
https://www.fold3.com/memorial/637298817/heredia-marisol-spc
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