SSG VICTOR M. COTA
Hometown / City: TUCSON, AZ
Date of Death: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Conflict: Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: COMPANY D, 4TH DIVISION SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION, FORT HOOD, TX

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Birth: May 23, 1974
Florence
Pinal County
Arizona, USA
Death: May 14, 2008
Baghdad, Iraq
Staff Sergeant Cota, of Tucson, Arizona. A man with an amazing smile, infectious laugh and zest for life. He joined the military in July 2000 as an armor crewman and was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, since July 2007. Victor was part of the platton when Saddam Hussein was captured. He was one of the few there at the compound when Saddam was arrested and apprehended. Victor was proud of his military service and being a part of that mission. Deployed to Iraq for the third time in November 2007, he died in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Kadamiyah, Iraq, on May 13. His decorations and awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and posthumous awards of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Victor was promoted posthumously from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. He was buried on what would have been his 34th birthday. Victor was loved and will be missed by his wife, Maria Liliana Cota; mother, Mariela Irene Cota; children, Mireyaaime Cota Santana and Victor Manuel Cota Santana and brother, Gilberto Enrique Cota. He was preceded in death by his father, Victor Manuel Gallego. 
 Burial:
Evergreen Memorial Park 
Tucson
Pima County
Arizona, USA