Remembering Them Forever (RTF)!

Military Information:

• US Army
• Bronze Star Medal
• PH: Purple Heart
• Afghanistan War
• KIA
• SGT: Sergeant
• Combat Action Ribbon
• GWT: Global War on Terrorism
• Operation Enduring Freedom
• Good Conduct Medal
• National Cemetery - DFW
• 1-Alpha List

Bio:

Army Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez, 24, of Carrollton died Thursday from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum.

Benitez was married and had a 6-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Castillo said. He also had two siblings. Benitez served two tours in Iraq before being sent for a third in Afghanistan.

"It's like a part of me left," Imelda Castillo told the Dallas Morning News of her feelings when arriving home to receive the news of her son's death from the military official.

Castillo said that her son, a graduate of Creekview High School, was dedicated to the Army. She the newspaper that he wanted to enlist when he was 17 but that she refused to sign paperwork allowing him to do so. He joined when he was 18.

"It's what he wanted, to be in the Army," Castillo said.

Also killed were Spc. Rafael Martinez Jr., 36, of Spring Valley, Calif., and Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley, 20, of Portsmouth, Va.

All three soldiers were assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo.

Castillo said that she had seen news on TV of soldiers being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and never thought of it happening to her son.

"Now I understand what it really feels like," she said.

https://txccarro.genealogyvillage.com/People/B/Benitez_Carlos.htm