Soldiers remember fallen Los Angeles comrade
By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matt Meadows, Task Force Patriot
LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Rudolph R. Hizon was one of three Task Force Patriot soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who died as the result of an enemy attack in Logar province Feb. 28.
Hizon, a 22-year-old Los Angeles native assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment’s Task Force Storm out of Fort Polk, La., died during a complex improvised explosive device, small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack in the Charkh area of the province.
U.S. Army Spc. Kevin Jones of Aurora, Ill., assigned to Company B’s TF Storm, said he will always remember Hizon’s smile.
“I will always have you in my thoughts for the rest of my days,” said Jones of Hizon. “I love you man!”
“I will always think of him as the happy and cheerful person he was… and I’m going to miss him dearly,” said Gonzales. “I love you, fool.”
U.S. Army Pfc. Clayton Contrall of Piedmont, Ala., also with Company B, said Hizon always had a “huge smile” on his face – the kind of smile that made everyone around him smile, too.
“You’re a warrior and will always be in my heart,” said Contrall. “Love you fool!”
“Fool” is a term of endearment used among some of the soldiers.
Hizon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with star device, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.