10th Mountain soldiers killed in Afghanistan - WatertownDailyTimes.com

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

FORT DRUM — Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers stationed at Fort Polk, La., were killed Friday in Wardak province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez, age 28, of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mr. Bigai Baez was an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Mr. Bigai Baez joined the Army in October 2003. He arrived at Fort Polk in June, 2010.

Mr. Bigai Baez deployed to Kuwait from December 2004 to December 2005. He deployed to Afghanistan with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2010.

Mr. Bigai Baez's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He completed the Warrior Leadership Course and the Combatives Level 1 course.

Mr. Bigai Baez is survived by his two children, his mother and father.

Also killed was Pfc. Carlos A. Aparicio, age 19, of San Bernardino, Calif.

Mr, Aparicio was an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Mr. Aparicio joined the Army in June 2010. After training at Fort Benning, Ga., he arrived at Fort Polk in January, 2011. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2011.

Mr. Aparicio's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Mr. Aparicio is survived by his mother and father.

PHOTOS

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