Hernando Rios had the sort of kindness that moved him to buy an extra McDonald’s meal and give it to a homeless person. If you needed help, Rios was your man.

“He was very well known in the neighborhood. If he saw someone getting picked on, he would stand up for him,” said Jeffrey Santiago, a longtime friend.

Rios, 29, of New York City, died Aug. 8 in Baghdad from injuries he sustained the day before when his vehicle came under attack. He was based in New York.

“He was always looking out for people, always trying to defend the people that can’t defend themselves,” said Rios’ half brother Pfc. Ramon Germosen.

From Iraq, he sent home photographs of Baghdad cityscapes and of his comrades at arms swimming at the pool, trying to escape 110-degree heat.

“None of us will ever be the same in his absence,” lifelong friend Jose Pena said....