Soldier of the Week: Army Staff Sgt. Edwin Cardona

  • Published
  • By 436th Airlift Wing
  • Joint Personnel Effects Depot
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  
Rank/name: Army Staff Sgt. Edwin Cardona

Job Description: Line leader in charge of receiving, safeguarding, inventorying, storing, processing, cleaning and shipping personal effects of deceased and wounded service members.

Previous assignments: Fort Myers, Va.; Fort Lee, Va.; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Family: My fiancée, Army Staff Sgt. Ortiz Adee-Leen, my 10-year-old son, Edwin E. Cardona, my 1-year-old son, Excevier J. Cardona, and my soon to be 6-year-old step-daughter Adee-Milexsa Maldonado.

Favorite movie: "Black Hawk Down"

Favorite food: Puerto Rican rice with pigeon peas, roast pork and chicken stew

Dream assignment: I would love to go to Puerto Rico so I can be closer to my oldest son.

Who inspires you? First God, then my father Wilfredo Soto, who has always been there for me. He has supported and motivated me to be who I am today. Last but not least, my wonderful fiancée, who has been at my side for the last three years supporting me in every single decision I make.

Have you been deployed? I was deployed to The Pentagon after the September 11 attacks for one year. I helped with the search and recovery of remains and personal effects from the people involved in the attack. Also during that year, I helped establish the first Joint Personal Effects Depot at Fort Myers, Va. From 2004 - 2009, I was mobilized to APG to work at JPED. From 2009 - 2010, I worked at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations with duty to Philadelphia as an escort for the families of the fallen service members.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself as a first sergeant taking care of Soldiers and their needs. Also, I hope to be close to retirement from active duty.

Cardona leads a nine-person processing unit at the JPED, which processes the personal effects of all service members killed, wounded, or missing from current overseas contingency operations. JPED recently moved from APG to the new state-of-the-art facility at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Cardona was instrumental in establishing his processing unit once the building was complete. After the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon Cardona has been with JPED either in a military or contractor capacity. I have never worked with someone who inspires and motivates his co-workers to do their best more than Cardona. With his years of experience, exceptional military bearing and dedication to the mission, Cardona is a tremendous asset to the JPED team and to the Army.
- Army Capt. Samuel Guy
Supervisor