The following story is
fictional and does not depict
any actual person or event.
--Law and Order
fictional and does not depict
any actual person or event.
--Law and Order
Hero F-16 fight pilot G.A. Mendoza, 35, died Wednesday from injuries suffered in an auto accident near his Hawaii beach home.The California native was killed on impact as another vehicle crossed into his path, Police Commander Sergio Diaz said. "It seems he was speeding. He was just going to fast. He had no time to react."
The driver of the other vehicle also suffered injuries, but is expected to survive, Diaz added.
Lured buy the Navy's speedy F-16, Mendoza enlisted in the Navy at 18. "The one thing about him," father Daniel Mendoza said, "he loved speed. He said the Navy was the only place he could fly something fast enough for him."
Within two years, he as acknowledge as a talented pilot. While stationed in Iraq, Mendoza received fame for intercepting an incoming raid by Iran during a routing practice mission. Outnumbered and faced with superior firepower, he proceeded to shoot down 24 enemy planes before returning back to base unharmed.
"He never understood what the big deal was," Longtime friend Jeremiah Lechon said. "He always just thought he was doing his job."
Mendoza was born March 3, 1984 in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Daniel and Lupe Mendoza. he grew up in Bellflower, Calif.
By the age of 7 he began taking automotive magazine to school and reading them during class time. Childhood friend Joe Herrera recalls Mendoza being named "Mr. Crankshaft."
"He loved cars." Daniel Mendoza said. "If they were low, loud, or especially fast he loved it."
As a teenager he attended Bellflower High School were he played baseball and football. It was here that teachers saw potential in him. "His writing and reading skills were excellent," his high school teacher Karen Johnston said. "I remember asking him if his parents were teachers because I was so impressed.
Mendoza graduated from Bellflower High School in 2002. On month later he joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 2011, Mendoza attended Cal State Long Beach, where he met his future wife.
Upon graduation in 2016, he went to work as a staff editor for Hot Rod Magazine. It was his dream job, Lechon said.
Daniel Mendoza recalled Mendoza saying, "Were else can I hangout with industry legends, drive prototype cars and get paid for it?" Around the office Mendoza was always polite and respectful, and willing got help others, Lechon said. "Helping people not only makes the one being helped feel good, but it also makes me feel good, " Lechon recalled Mendoza saying.
He eventually worked his way to editor-in-chief of Hot Rod Magazine. A this position he was able to influence trends and introduce alternative forms of power, colleague Sam Lawson said.
"He always saw gasoline price and availability as a limiting factor for the growth of the industry." Lawson said. "He thought the use of other fuels such as bio-diesel, propane, and hydrogen was the only way to keep the industry growing."
In addition to his parents, his wife, daughter, son, and two brothers survive G.A. Mendoza. The funeral will be at noon at St. Anthony's Catholic church in Falls Church, Virginia. The burial will be in Longden Cemetery, Virginia.
