Sunsin-Pineda, 20, Long Beach, Calif., was killed May 2 when the vehicle he was aboard was struck by an improvised explosive device during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley.
"He was a good son," Lesby De Paz told the Times. "He was a happy guy and that's how I want to remember him. He always tried to make people laugh, always liked to help them. I am very proud."
Sunsin-Pinedia had volunteered to take another soldier's post May 2 on what should have been his day off.
"I still think it's a dream," said Julio De Paz, his stepfather. "I wake up in the morning and expect to see my son next to me."
Sunsin-Pinedia was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and moved to the United States at age eight. His stepfather said he embraced his new country. "His first day here he said he wanted to be in the Army," Julio De Paz told the Times.
Sunsin-Pinedia's family tried to talk him out of joining the Army, offering him a car, apartment and a modest salary to keep him home. He joined immediately after graduating from Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, Calif. His long range goal was to be a police officer.
While stationed at Fort Riley, Sunsin-Pinedia was featured in one of the Army's "Army Strong" recruiting commercials, which were filmed at Fort Riley and appear regularly on national television.
He had been assigned to the newly activated Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Alpha Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, in 2006 as the commander's driver. He deployed to Iraq this February.
Awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Along with his parents, survivors include his brothers, Caesar David De Paz, Julio Caesar De Paz and Alexi De Paz.
