MCALLEN - The body of Staff Sgt. Bradley Espinoza has arrived at McCreery Aviation this afternoon.
The 26-year-old Mission native died in Qwest, Iraq last Monday. He was fatally injured when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
A special charter plane brought his remains to the Valley. Family members, along with a police escort and honor guard, awaited the fallen soldier.
A procession will take his body to the Rivera Funeral Home in Mission. That's located at 1813 North Conway Avenue.
There will first be a private viewing for the family. The public can pay their respects tomorrow.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. It'll be held at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Alton. Immediately after the mass, the burial will take place at the RGV State Veterans Cemetery. That's located at 2520 South Inspiration Road in Mission.
Espinoza entered the Army in July 2002 as a Combat Engineer. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and stationed at Fort Hood since November 2002.
The staff sergeant's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Espinoza is survived by his wife, his 6-year-old daughter, and his 3-year-old son.
