SFC Victor H. Cervantes

[Dan]

RELEASE NUMBER: 050610-01
DATE POSTED: JUNE 11, 2005

PRESS RELEASE: Army Special Forces Soldier dies in Afghanistan
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 11, 2005) — An Army Special Forces Soldier based here died June 10, 2005 near Orgun-e, Afghanistan there.

Sgt. 1st Class Victor H. Cervantes, 28, a weapons sergeant, assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) here, died from wounds sustained during combat operations while on patrol with Afghan security forces in the country’s Paktika province.

He deployed in support of operation Enduring Freedom in January 2005.

A native of Stockton, Calif., Cervantes enlisted in the Army July 24, 1996 under the delayed entry program as a cavalry scout.

He arrived to Fort Bragg at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in September 1999 to begin the intense training it would take for him to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant.

Cervantes was assigned to 7th SFG in August 2000.

Cervantes’ awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

His parents, Fidel and Nisla of Stockton, Calif., and sister, Elizabeth of California survive him.


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