Red Team Remembers Fallen Soldier
by Staff Sgt. Tony Sailer, 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 1CD
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Hundreds of Red Team Soldiers gathered mid-morning to pay respects to one of their fallen brothers during a memorial service here, April 14.
Private 1st Class Adolfo Carballo, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, died April 10 when he was struck by a rocket propelled grenade during a patrol in south Baghdad. Four days later, Soldiers of his unit joined with other 5th BCT troops to celebrate his life.
Capt. Thomas Pugsley, Alpha Battery's commander, commented on Carballo's life, service and sacrifice.
"As a Soldier under my command, I could always count on him to do the right thing; to fight with courage and honor and never back down from what he knew was right. And the night he died, he held true to these convictions," Pugsley said.
As the ceremony progressed, friends recounted fond memories, read scripture and recited a poem. Battalion chaplain, 1st Lt. John Boyer tried to put into perspective the events of the last few days.
"Each one of us has asked the question that exists deep within the heart of humanity; 'Why O' Lord?'" Boyer pondered. "We have tried to make sense of the tragedy. We have reasoned and questioned."
He reminded those present to focus on the road ahead and that in this Easter season, death has no triumph. He said that each person's contribution is valuable.
"We honor Carballo's sacrifice," Boyer continued, "by keeping his spirit alive in this fight for freedom, democracy and liberation."
A native of Houston, Texas, Carballo served in the military as a Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember. His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon. Carballo was posthumously promoted to the rank of Specialist.
Carballo is survived by his wife Elisa, and his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Cesar Carballo.
Release #040418a
1st Cavalry Division
5th Brigade Combat Team 
Soldiers of the 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, salute the memorial of Pfc. Alfonso Carballo during a service commemorating the fallen Soldier
held on Camp Ferrin-Huggins April 14. Carballo died April 10 when he was struck in the back
by a rocket-propelled grenade during a patrol in south Baghdad.
Maj. Gen. Pete Chiarelli, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division,
salutes the memorial of Pfc. Alfonso Carballo during a service commemorating
the fallen Soldier which held on Camp Ferrin-Huggins April 14.
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Backalew, Staff Sgt. Michael Sherman and Spc. Jeremy McKinney, all
1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers,
prepare the flags that adorn the memorial of Pfc. Alfonso Carballo before a service commemorating
the fallen Soldier held on Camp Ferrin-Huggins April 14.
Pfc. Alfonso Carballo
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