Orlando Antonio “Tony” Perez was born on December 10, 1984, in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was the son of Nicolasa Arevalo. He was the husband of April Manuel. He graduated from Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas, in 2003 and went on to attend the University of Houston–Downtown for two years before enlisting in the United States Army on August 25, 2005. He trained with the Stryker units at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was later assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilseck, Germany. While stationed in Germany, he participated in extensive training and had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe with his wife. He was later deployed to Baghdad for support in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc Perez died on February 24, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained during dismounted operations when his unit came under small-arms fire. He is now buried in the Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, memorial.2dcavalryassociation.com, thefallen.militarytimes.com