Soldier Honored: Tenzin L. Samten

Army Specialist Tenzin L. Samten, 33, of Prescott, Arizona, was assigned to the 7th special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Eustis, Virginia. On March 12, 2008, SPC Samten and two other soldiers died of wounds sustained when their non-tactical vehicle was hit by indirect fire. He was 33 years old.

Enlisting in the Army in 2006, Tenzin Samten completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and then attended advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. A native of San Diego, California, Tenzin Samten grew up in Santee and attended high school in Lakeside. He was married and had two children at the time of his passing. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal.

SPC Samten is survived by his wife, a son and daughter.  His daughter was a Folds of Honor scholarship recipient.