Andrews soldier dies in Afghanistan
Sgt. John Paul Castro was 25
ANDREWS A 25-year-old U.S. soldier from Andrews was killed Friday in Afghanistan by small arms fire.
The Department of Defense said Sgt. John P. Castro died in Paktika province, Afghanistan.
The Army said he suffered wounds when his unit was attacked by small arms fire. A bullet hit an artery in his left arm, CBS 7 reported.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Castro received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Valor device; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
CBS 7 reported Castro was a 2004 Andrews High School graduate.
Castro is survived by his wife, Delia Castro of Clarksville, Tenn.; daughter, Natalia Castro of Fort Benning, Ga., and stepson, Kamren Buchholz of Clarksville, Tenn. He is also survived by his mother, Carmen Castro of Andrews, and father, David Castro of Odessa.
A memorial service will be held for Castro in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony to honor fallen Screaming Eagles. The next ceremony will be held May 11 at 4 p.m.
U.S. Army Cpl. Ray Michael Bevel died April 21, 2007, in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations.
