Soldier Honored: Tenzin L. Samten

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

Enlisting in the Army in 2006, SPC Samten completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and then attended advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. A native of San Diego, Calif., Tenzin Samten grew up in Santee and attended high school in Lakeside.

SPC Samten deployed to Tallil, Iraq in October of 2007. He was a good soldier and was lovingly called Grandpa because of his age. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on March 24, 2008. His awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, a National Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal.

SPC Samten is survived by his wife, a son and daughter, and an older son from previous marriage. His daughter is a Folds of Honor scholarship recipient.