LOS ANGELES, CA, USA U.S. Army SGT, TROOP K, 3D SQUADRON, 3D ACR, (TF BAGHDAD), FORT CARSON, CO BAGHDAD, IRAQ 07/24/2005
Sergeant Milton M. Monzon Jr., 21, of Los Angeles was married for only seven months when he was killed July 24, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley fighting vehicle in Baghdad. Milton met his future wife, Christy while assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson. During Christmas 2004, he proposed to her in front of his family. She accepted.
In January, they were married secretly. Milton told his mother that he wanted to start a new life with Christy as soon as possible and did not want to wait for a big wedding. Instead they planned to have a large wedding reception and start a family when he returned from deployment.
When Milton came home in June for his rest and relaxation two-week leave, his mother, Cecilia Monzon, took him out to dinner. “I felt scared,” she remembered. “I was afraid that when he went back, something would happen.” She kept hugging and kissing her son.
During his leave, Sergeant Monzon bought an expensive suit. When his father, Milton Monson Sr., asked why he was buying it, his son answered “It’s probably the last suit I’ll own.”
Christy, who was living with Sergeant Monson’s mother, Cecilia, and his younger brother, Marvyn, was the first to hear of his death. His parents were devastated by the news. The elder Monson said “As a father, my son made me proud. He made everyone proud because he was doing what he wanted to do.”
A friend of Sergeant Monson agreed. “As a soldier, his dedication and work ethic were unparalleled. He strove to be the best he could, and, in my opinion, he achieved that goal. Sergeant Monzon would gladly teach you everything that he knew, and he was also willing to be taught.”
Also killed by the IED explosion were Staff Sergeant Jason W. Montefering, Specialist Ernest W. Dallas Jr. and Army Private First Class Ramon A. Villatoro, Jr.