Cpl. Joseph Heredia, U.S.M.C. (KIA)

Santa Maria Marine recalled as leader, patriot

ASSOCIATED PRESS

10:21 a.m. November 23, 2004

SANTA MARIA – Joseph J. Heredia had dreamed since high school of joining the Marines, and by age 22 he had already re-enlisted once and was on his second tour of combat duty in Iraq.

It was two months into that second tour that the Marine corporal was wounded on Nov. 10 near Fallujah. He died Saturday in a hospital in Germany with his family by his side, including his wife, Natalia; mother, Monica Diaz; and 16-year-old brother.

"We're heartbroken by what happened," said his father-in-law, Isaac Berumen.

Heredia, who was a motor vehicle operator based at Camp Pendleton, was hit by shrapnel from an explosive. Wounded with him was Lance Cpl. Joseph Welke, 20, of Rapid City, S.D. Both died Saturday.

"He was a leader," said David Parker, Heredia's agricultural economics teacher at Santa Maria High School. "I think of him in class being so excited to graduate and go into the military to serve his country."

Heredia ran track, played football and was a member of Future Farmers of America in high school, where he also met his wife.

He joined the Marines soon after graduation and had recently re-enlisted, his wife said, so that could remain with his unit and return to Iraq for a second tour of combat.