Former Hanford student killed in Afghanistan

Marine felled by roadside bomb.

Published online on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

Alfonso Ochoa Jr. was so eager to join the Marine Corps, he decided to transfer from Hanford West High School to Hanford Adult School so he could graduate early in December 2007.

But Ochoa's military career ended Saturday when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, about a week before he was to be reassigned to a base in Hawaii.

Ochoa, 20, was a lance corporal who was married about six months ago while on furlough.

Bobby Peters, Hanford West's principal, said Ochoa was on track to graduate with the class of 2008 but chose instead to graduate in December 2007 and join the Marines.

"I want to see our kids achieve everything in life, and when it's cut short like this, it's hard for me to understand," he said.

Ochoa joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 13, 2008, Marine spokesman Sgt. Macario Mora said.

A relative said Ochoa's parents are Alfonso Sr. and Ramona Ochoa of Armona, an unincorporated community of about 4,000 residents west of Hanford. They could not be reached to comment Tuesday.

Ochoa's friend, 19-year-old Armona resident Nohelia Cordova, said he "couldn't wait" to join the Marines. She called him a good and honest person, who loved soccer and Mexican rock music.

"He was real motivated," Cordova said. "He tried to motivate others."

Joining the Marines became Ochoa's goal during his junior year at Hanford West, said Peters, who was an assistant principal at the time.

Peters said he remembers Ochoa always having a smile on his face during their many conversations when the teenager sought Peters' advice.

"I was proud of him being a student from our school," he said. "It's hard for me right now. I'm getting a little choked up."

Dave Danielson, a hardware store owner in Armona, did not know Ochoa but learned of his death during a Sunday morning service at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hanford.

Pastor Lambert Sikkema made the announcement of Ochoa's death because his parents attend another church that uses the First Christian Reformed Church for its services.

Sikkema said Ochoa's parents received word that he died in a roadside bombing and told his parishioners that he was only about a week away from leaving Afghanistan.

"You definitely feel for the whole family," Danielson said. "There are a lot of sacrifices made [for our freedom]. People just take it for granted."

Ochoa was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Mora said.

His awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement on Ochoa's death, calling him "a brave young man whose commitment to serving his country will always be remembered."

Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of Ochoa, the statement said.

Mike Maccagno, owner of Frank's Market in Armona, said he did not know Ochoa, but such a death is sad for the entire community. "It hurts when you lose somebody, especially when someone's fighting for our country," he said.