Freddie Morales Santiago,

Sergeant First Class Freddie Santos “Smoke” Morales Santiago, a Persian Gulf War

Veteran, was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico on April 26th, 1954. He left us on Saturday,

August 9th, 2025 in Oceanside, California at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness. He

was a respected veteran, generous friend and loving family member to all who knew

him and is remembered fondly by many.

He was predeceased by his parents, Santos Morales Camara and Manuela Santiago

Pomales. He is survived by his wife Shannon, his children Freddie Jr. Morales, Juan

Carlos Morales, and Meagan Phillips, and by his siblings Eileen, Sandra, Cyntia, Ivelisse,

Vivian and Pedro.

As a boy in Puerto Rico, Freddie dreamed of becoming a singer – he would sing all day

long – and had a passion and talent for music that lasted throughout his lifetime. He

also loved to play with his combat toys and GI-Joe, which would prove prophetic. His

parents moved the family to Long Island, NY when he was in high school and he started

singing in a band as a teenager. They later returned to Puerto Rico.

Freddie enlisted and entered the United States Army at San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1974 at

the age of 19 and entered active duty from Guayama. When he first enlisted, the

Vietnam War was over a year away from ending and the steady addition of names of the

fallen to the Wall continued. Enlisting in a combat arms branch, Freddie knew it was

possible for him to be deployed to combat. He served our country as an Artillery Cannon

Crewman at numerous locations around the world. He also served as a Drill Sergeant at

Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Freddie was promoted to Sergeant First Class effective July 1986. He was eventually sent

to Garlstadt, Germany where he was assigned duties as Platoon Sergeant of Second

Platoon, Bravo Battery, 4 th Battalion, 3 rd Field Artillery Regiment, Third Brigade, Second

Armored Division (Forward). Sergeant First Class Morales retired from the United State

Army effective February 28, 1994 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

It was while serving as Platoon Sergeant during combat actions in Iraq as part of

Operation Desert Storm that Sergeant First Class Morales distinguished himself and was

awarded the Bronze Star Medal. In 1991, Sergeant First Class Freddie Morales led his

men, as a member of Task Force Iron, through the berm into Iraq as the first elements of

7th Corps and all allied forces. Sergeant First Class Morales continued leading his men in

combat operations deep into Iraq and into Kuwait as a member of Task Force 1-41 until

the completion of the war.

Sergeant First Class Freddie Morales, or as he was called “Smoke,” was an incredibly

honorable and fascinating soldier and leader of men in combat. He was one of the Good

Guys. He brought all his men home. Sergeant First Class Freddie Morales’ combat

actions reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. In the

words of those he served with:

From First Sergeant (Retired) Kevin Harney, First Sergeant of Bravo Battery: “He was a

great soldier, great man, and [I am] proud to have served with him.”

From Staff Sergeant (Retired) Billy Kilburn, Gun Chief of Gun 3 “Battle Beast”: “Smoke

was the one that always looked after his troops. He was always willing to help and when

you didn’t need help, he let you lead your soldiers as you saw fit. I first met him at the

Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course at Fort Sill in 1984. I also was blessed to have

him as an instructor. He was the best instructor I ever had and was very approachable.”

From Sergeant First Class (Retired) Jorge Crespo, Gun Chief of Gun 2 “Birth Control”:

“Sergeant Morales was instrumental in the overall survival of the brand-new unit of

Cohort soldiers we received just before the war. Smoke was willing to teach and be

patient with his soldiers’ efforts to learn. He was pivotal in bringing back all our soldiers

with no casualties.”

From Colonel (Retired) Bill Rabena, Fire Support officer of 4/3 FA and later Commander

of Bravo Battery: “Sergeant First Class Morales was the best Platoon Sergeant I ever

worked with, and he was instrumental in Bravo Battery winning the US Army Europe

Unit Partnership Award in 1991.”

From Dion Francis, Fire Direction Officer and Platoon Leader of 2 nd Platoon, Bravo

Battery: “Smoke was the very best Platoon Sergeant I ever served with. He was a

mentor, and he looked out for me. Numerous times he provided advice to me, and it

was always the right advice. I worked with him closely from the moment I joined Bravo

Battery till the day I left the unit. I kept in contact with him over the years. And I will

miss him. He was always enthusiastic and motivating. He was honest in his assessment

of things. There are few like him. God bless his family and friends.”