FORT BRAGG --
The Pentagon says Sergeant 1st Class
Carlos Santos-Silva, 32, was killed in southern
Afghanistan when the vehicle he was driving was struck
by an improvised explosive device in the Kandahar
Province.
Santos-Silva was part of the 82nd
Airborne Division and he was stationed in Ft. Bragg
before he deployed to Afghanistan in August 2009.
He had been in the Army since 1996,
but he changed his military occupational specialization
from a medical supply specialist to an infantryman in
2000.
"Sergeant 1st Class Santos-Silva was
the epitome of a noncommissioned officer, a true
standard bearer," said 1st Lt. Matthew Jarmon, Company C
executive officer. "He cared deeply about his
Paratroopers and they cared deeply about him. His men
routinely looked to him for leadership guidance, which
he readily gave. He was loved by all in the Battalion
and made you proud to serve."
Santos-Silva is survived by his wife
Kristen, his son Cameron and his parents Fransisco and
Monkia. A memorial will be held in Afghanistan in his
honor.
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Sgt. 1st Class Carlos
M Santos-Silva, 32, of Fort Bragg, N.C., died Monday, March 22, 2010,
while serving as a platoon sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division while
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was born Nov. 4, 1977, in
Wiesbaden, Germany, a son of Francisco and Monika Santos-Silva. On April
11, 1998, he married Kristen J Anderson, formerly of Venango, in Fort
Campbell, Ky. On March 6, 1999, he celebrated the birth of his only son,
Cameron Santos-Silva. Carlos was a loving husband, father, son and
friend. All will truly miss him. He served in the U.S. Army from August
1996 until March 22, 2010. He was a veteran of the Kosovo campaign,
Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he completed two tours as a member of the
2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment based out of Fort Drum, N.Y. He was
also currently serving in Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of 2nd
Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment based out of Fort Bragg.
During the span of his 14-year career, he received numerous awards and
decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the
Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army
Achievement Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good
Conduct Medal (4), the National Defense Service Medal, the Kosovo
Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the
Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the NATO Medal,
the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Pathfinder
Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Survivors
include his wife, Kristen; a son, Cameron; his parents, Francisco and
Monika; and a brother, Dominik. A full military service will be held in
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 12.
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(courtesy Eileen Horan)
Grave marker for SFC Carlos M. Santos-Silva at Plot 60, Grave 9150 in Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, VA
SFC Santos-Silva was killed in action on March 22,
2010 in Afghanistan. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal and
the Purple Heart. |
