MELROSE PARK, IL, US
U.S. Marine Corps
LCPL, 1ST BN, 2D MAR, (RCT-2, I MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
07/24/2010, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Lance Corporal Frederik E. Vazquez had talked about becoming a U.S. Marine from the time he was 7, and a few months after reaching the age of 18, he enlisted. Lance Corporal Vazquez , a Rifleman, was killed July 24, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Frederik Vazquez was a hard worker and a quiet kid with a playful side. He was also an accomplished young man who returned from Marine Corps boot camp a more responsible, respectful adult. He talked about attending college after his Marine Corps enlistment concluded. He ended up helping out even more around the house; and would ask permission to do this or that. He was always respectful, but gave out even more respect than he had before he became a Marine.
Lance Corporal Vazquez was born April 14, 1990, in Los Angeles, the younger of two sons. The family moved to Northlake, California five years later and resided there until 2006, when his parents wanted what they perceived as a better education for their son. They moved to Melrose Park, and Frederik transferred from Proviso West High School to West Leyden High School his junior year. He graduated in 2008. While his family called him “Erik.” Friends knew him as “Freddy.” He loved paintball and basketball, and military combat video games. He’d hide in bushes across the street from his family’s home on Armitage Avenue and jump out at his cousin when she’d pass by. He made people laugh and he loved hanging out with his family; even calling the cousin he liked to scare “7-Eleven” because she never shut up. He was encouraging to those around him and provided good counsel to many. . Everyone who knew him, whatever they called him, knew that he wanted to serve in the military.