Fil-Am killed in Iraq to get full US military honors

The US government will give full military burial honors to Filipino-American US Army Sergeant Richard Valiant Correa, who was killed in action when he encountered an improvised explosive device during a dismounted patrol on May 29 near Ilbu, Falris, Iraq, the US Embassy in Manila said on Wednesday. Correa will be buried on Friday in his hometown of Lingayen, Pangasinan. Correa served in Iraq with the US Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, which is based in Fort Drum, New York. In recognition of his valor and dedication, Correa will receive posthumously the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action, as well as the Purple Heart medal. US Brigadier General Harvey T. Landwermeyer, assistant division commander (Support) 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, and a funeral honor guard from the US Army based there will attend Correa's burial with military representatives from the US Embassy in Manila. Correa was born in the Philippines on May 20, 1982. He spent two years of his early childhood in the US then returned to Lingayen, Pangasinan. In 1999, he graduated from Lingayen Educational Center. At age 17, Correa moved back to the US and, starting in1999, served in the US Air Force for four years. In July 2004, he re-enlisted into the US Army. He is survived by his father, Richard Benito Primicias and his mother, Minda Mariano Correas of Lingayen, Pangasinan; two brothers and two sisters; and his fiancé, Cory Dell, of Jacksonville, Florida. - GMANews.TV