Sgt. John Paul Castro, 25, of Andrews, Texas, was fatally wounded, Friday, April 22, 2011, after being struck by small arms fire in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Castro was an Infantryman assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He joined the military in October 2004, after graduating high school. Sgt. Castro was on his third tour overseas. He was previously given two purple hearts after being severely injured in Iraq. His family says Sgt. Castro was on a special mission in Afghanistan when his group came under attack, and a bullet hit a major artery in his left arm instantly killing him. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Army Commendation Medal with Valor device; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by, wife, Delia Castro of Clarksville, TN; daughter, Natalia Castro of Fort Benning, GA; stepson, Kamren Buchholz of Clarksville, TN; mother, Carmen Castro of Andrews, TX; father, David Castro of Odessa, TX; sister, Blanca Castro of Dallas, TX; and brother, David Castro of Andrews, Texas; and his grandmother, Teresa Armendariz of Andrews, Texas.