Army Staff Sergeant Carlos Benitez

Army Staff Sergeant Carlos A. Benitez, 24, of Carrollton, Texas, served with the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was killed on October 14, 2010, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device during combat operations between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan.

A native of Carrollton, Texas, SSG Benitez had a long-time dream of serving in the military and was finally able to enlist in 2004 at the age of 18. He was first stationed at Fort Hood, where he completed two year-long tours in Iraq. He served in the Army for nearly six years before deploying to Afghanistan in July of 2010. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.

SSG Benitez was remembered as a compassionate leader who challenged his soldiers to succeed and then welcomed them into his home for a meal. His son recalls, “My dad was the toughest and most respectful man I knew. He was a very serious person when the time called for it but was also a huge goofball.” He was known as the rock of the family.

SSG Benitez was survived by his wife, and two children.