Cardoza, Kevin

Kevin Cardoza was a 19-year-old soldier from Mercedes, Texas, a city in the Rio Grande Valley. He served as a Specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, which was based at Fort Bliss, Texas.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Cardoza died on May 4, 2013, in Maiwand District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The official casualty report stated his death resulted from hostile action, though specific details of the engagement were not released. He was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom was the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By 2013, the conflict was in a phase where international forces were training Afghan security forces and conducting counterinsurgency operations, particularly in southern provinces like Kandahar.

Cardoza's body was returned to Texas. He was buried with military honors at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas, on May 17, 2013. Local news reported that community members lined the procession route to pay their respects.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other service medals. His name is inscribed on the Fallen Heroes Memorial in his hometown of Mercedes.

Kevin Cardoza was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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