Army Announces JBLM Soldier's Death; Eighth in Less Than a Month

UPDATE: 2:21 p.m., 6/4/12

Here is more information about Spc. Gerardo Campos from Joint Base Lewis-McChord:

According to the Dept. of Defense, Spc. Gerardo Campos, 23, of Miami, FL., died June 2 in Maiwand, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

According to unit records, Spc. Campos entered the Army in March 2010. He reported to Fort Benning, Ga., for Initial Army Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for MOS 11B (Infantryman).

Spc. Campos was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in September 2010, and upon arrival he was assigned to 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. The unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April. This was his first deployment.

1st Sgt. John Knight, Company B, 4-23 Infantry Regiment, described Spc. Campos as a Soldier you could always count on.

“A never-say-never type of attitude with a go-getter personality, he was a friend you could always count on,” said Knight. “Spc. Campos was the wind beneath the wings of his platoon. He motivated his fellow Soldiers and believed in their ability to rise to the occasion, regularly pushing them beyond their limits. Spc. Campos had a level of maturity far beyond his age and displayed the potential to become a future Sergeant Major in the Army.”

Spc. Campos’ civilian and military education includes a high school diploma (2007), MOS 11B Infantryman (2010), U.S. Army Airborne School (2010), and the Warrior Leader Course (2012).

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the NATO Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.

On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Spc. Campos.

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(Editor's note: This is from the Department of Defense, which announced the 8th Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier to die in less than a month)

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Gerardo Campos, 23, of Miami, FL., died June 2 in Maiwand, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

Patch will have more on this story as information becomes available.