Robert Pedro Mendoza

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service (2), Navy Meritorious
Unit Commendation, Good Conduct (3), Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Global War on
Terrorism Expeditionary, Global war on Terrorism Service, Humanitarian Service, Sea Service
De 10 ent 5 , Armed Forces Reserve

Staff Sergeant Robert Pedro Mendoza 

1976-2020 

Robert Pedro Mendoza was born on August 13, 1976, in Houston, Texas to Robert C and Yolanda Mendoza. Growing up, he attended various catholic schools in the Houston area. Robert was very outgoing and mischievous and the school principals knew him very well. In high school, he enjoyed his wood shop class and constructed several items that family members still have to this day. He also participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and raised chickens for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He graduated in May of 1994 from Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas. 

Ever since he was in middle school, Robert knew he would become a Marine. During his senior year of high school, he talked to his parents about enlisting. Since he was only 17, his parents had to sign paperwork for him to enlist. In July of 1994, at the age of 17, Robert left for the United States Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California. 

Robert’s military career took him all over the world. During his deployment to Okinawa, Japan, he returned to the United States for a special ops training. During that training, he suffered an injury that broke his pelvis and femur bone. He was told he would never be able to jump out of a plane again. He was determined to prove them wrong and through sheer determination was able to overcome his injuries and complete more than 200 jumps in his military career. During one of his tours to Iraq, Robert served on the I MEF personnel security detail for former United States Defense Secretary James “Mad Dog” Mattis and several other distinguished dignitaries. When he was on the USS Peleliu, he was on the team that guarded the ‘American Taliban’, John Philip Walker Lind. While deployed, he also volunteered as a driver, machine gunner and fire-support man. He was proud of all his accomplishments and kept a map at home with pins inserted to the various locations he traveled to on his various duty stations, deployments and trainings. 

His deployments included the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I, OIF II-1 and OIF II-2, Task Force 58, Operational Detachment 516, and 5th Special Forces Group. 

His military units included 1st ANGLICO, 1st Transportation Battalion, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines. 

His humanitarian assistance efforts through the Marine Corps included African Lion, Nobile Shirley, and East Timor Humanitarian Assistance Operations. 

His Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) included 0451 Air Delivery Specialist (Marine Parachute Rigger), 0311 Rifleman, and 0369 Infantry Unit Leader. 

In 2003, he transitioned from Active Duty to Reserve Duty. After he was Honorably Discharged in 2008, he started his own company called Tactical Defense Systems USA in Oceanside, California. His clients included the Oceanside Police Department, Throwdown Industries, the United States Air Force, United States Border Patrol, and the United States Marine Corps to name a few. Robert’s military background helped him understand the importance for military and law enforcement agencies to have the proper tactical gear. He was committed to providing quality gear for his law enforcement and military community. His company’s motto was “Strength in Every Stitch”. 

In 2010, Robert became a father. Robert was obsessed with his son. They were ‘best buddies’. He worked long hours at times and when he would talk to his family about the stress from work and his family would ask why he didn’t just get a regular 9-5 job. He would immediately turn the idea down because he wanted the flexibility with his hours to be there for his son. He was able to take his son to school most mornings and pick him up from school almost daily to spend time with him after school. His son inherited Robert’s outgoing and mischievous personality and Robert was becoming friends with his son’s school principal. Life was coming full circle. His son was Robert's 'mini-me' and everyone knew it. Robert’s life was full with his main loves: his son, his family and his work. 

Robert and his parents shared a special bond even though they lived in different states. He called his mom 2-3 times a day and his dad at least 1-2 times per day. Robert’s mom traveled to California often to spend time with him and his son during school breaks. He and his dad took annual ‘boys’ trips to the Shot Show in Las Vegas. Robert’s dad made several annual trips to California to help Robert maintain his shop and to spend time with Robert and his son. His dad immensely enjoyed these visits because they were ‘boys only’ trips – for just the three of them to spend time together. Robert and his dad would have extensive daily phone calls about life, work and raising a son. He also talked to his sister often, mostly to fill her in on their latest shenanigans or to talk mess about politics or sports. He always made sure to have his son involved in his family’s lives. 

Robert had a passion for living life his way. If someone told him he couldn’t do something, chances were he would find a way. He had deep Texas roots, loved country music, and loved singing songs in the truck with his son. He earned black belts in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. He introduced his son to karate and was so proud of how well he was doing in his classes. He was known for his compassion, hard work ethic, friendship and love for his country. His friends were his extended family and he would always be there for them if they needed anything. Robert was a man of faith and that faith helped him live his life to the fullest. Whenever he would go on deployments, his family would be frantic with worry and he would tell them he wasn’t scared because he knew that God had a plan for him. 

When the pandemic in 2020 started, Robert focused on taking care of first responders and front-line workers by using his connections to get them hard-to-find personal protective equipment. When most of the world was closing down, he considered his company essential to stay open because he wanted to help in the global fight against an invisible enemy. He fought hard but when diagnosed with covid-19, it would be his final fight. He passed away on April 20, 2020 at the age of 43. 

Robert loved God, family and the Marine Corps. He dedicated a vast majority of his life serving his country and helping others. No matter how many achievements Robert had throughout his career, he always said his greatest achievement in life was his son. 

Robert’s plaque lists Bible chapter 1 of the Book of Joel. Verse 3 states: “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.” 

Robert will be remembered as a fighter, a protector, a wonderful father, a son, a brother, a cousin, and a best friend to many. He was the epitome of a good person. He will never be forgotten. 

Robert’s plaque is located on the H wall, East side, Row 5. His plaque is next to his paternal grandfather, Corporal Pedro Ortega Mendoza, and his maternal grandfather, Private First Class Gilberto Castilleja Romero.