Sergeant Trista L. Moretti was born June 14th, 1980, and raised in South Plainfield, New Jersey. In high school, she excelled both academically and athletically and earned nine varsity letters in field hockey, winter track, and spring track. After high school, she studied at William Paterson University from 1998 till 2000. In 2003, she felt called to something higher however, and enlisted in the Army.
In 2005, Moretti was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troop Battalion of the 25th Infantry. One of the most critical tasks of the 425th was to locate roadside bombs. Described as “fearless, brave, and resourceful”, Moretti served as a critical piece in the discovery of such explosives, and the larger effort to ensure the safety of her fellow soldiers.
On June 25th, 2007, in Nasir Lafitah, Iraq, after returning to her quarters after a long day, Sergeant Moretti’s base came under an intense mortar attack. In the ensuing chaos, Sergeant Moretti was killed when a shell struck nearby. Dozens of others were wounded. Sergeant Moretti was 27.
Kenneth May, Sergeant Moretti’s former principal, said of her, “Trista exuded enthusiasm and confidence and always gave 110 percent…she had such an energy level, a smile on her face that was infectious. You would have to smile back.”
Sergeant Trista L. Moretti is buried at Rosedale and Rosehill Cemetery, Linden, New Jersey.
Sources:
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-trista-l-moretti/2863079
https://www.nsa.gov/portals/75/documents/about/cryptologic-heritage/cryptologic-memorial/moretti.pdf
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