Military News
'Earthquake' company pays tribute to fellow Soldier during ceremony
By Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B
Sep 3, 2008 - 9:54:16 AM

Blackanthem Military News

A memorial erected at the Camp Taji Ministry Center in northwestern Baghdad pays tribute to Cpl. Carlo Alfonso who died Aug. 26 while on a route clearance mission in the northwest portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad. Alfonso was a member of Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Cpl. Carlo Alfonso was memorialized during a ceremony in northwestern Baghdad by friends and fellow Soldiers Sept. 1.

Alfonso, a combat engineer with Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, died from wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked Aug. 26 while on a route clearance mission in the northwest portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad.

"Despite the tremendous efforts of our first responders, medics and doctors, the wounds of Cpl. Alfonso were too great for emergency life-saving measures to be effective," said Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commander of Task Force 1-6, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

Alfonso was born in the Republic of the Philippines and joined the Army in July 2006. After graduating from advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., he joined the Earthquakes of Co. A, 40th Eng. Bn., in December 2006.

"It seemed like just yesterday he was being introduced to 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon," said Spc. Paul Kromschroeder, a squad-mate with Co. A, 40th Eng. Bn. "He was a terrific Family man and his wife and son would be all he talked about. He was so proud of them. He knew many things and would share any information with you. All you would have to do is ask."

Soldiers who spoke at the memorial remembered Alfonso's innate ability to find humor in almost every situation and his knowledge and ability as a Soldier.

"He is the guy that everybody is friends with," said Capt. Justin Agostine, commander of Co. A, 40th Eng. Bn. "He was a positive-minded Soldier and to call him such would be a great understatement."

Alfonso's squad leader, Staff Sgt. Levon Sains, recounted tales of Alfonso's love for his family and his desire to add its ranks.

"He would always talk about his family and how excited he was to have more children. I recall one day he was going on and on about getting a minivan and wanted the squad to help him find one. We couldn't understand at the time why someone his age would want a minivan," Sains said.

As Soldiers solemnly remembered their comrade, Agostine reminded them what Alfonso would do in this situation.

"I know this, if Cpl. Alfonso were here he would crack a joke. He would crack a joke at his expense to make you all feel better. When this is over, remember that he showed us how to laugh," he said.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Staff Sgt. Levon Sains, a squad leader with Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, speaks during the memorial service for Cpl. Carlo Alfonso Sept. 1 at Camp Taji in northwestern Baghdad. Alfonso was a member of Co. A, 40th Eng. Bn., which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

1st Sgt. Brian Schoonover, senior enlisted leader for Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, conducts a roll call during a memorial ceremony for Cpl. Carlo Alfonso at Camp Taji in northwestern Baghdad Sept. 1. Alfonso died during a mission in the Sadr City district of Baghdad Aug. 26. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Capt. Justin Agostine (left) grasps the identification tag for Cpl. Carlo Alfonso while he and 1st Sgt. Brian Schoonover pay their last respects during a memorial ceremony at Camp Taji in northwestern Baghdad Sept. 1. Alfonso, a member of Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, died Aug. 26 in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. Agostine commands Co. A, while Schoonover serves as the senior enlisted leader for the company which is attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Two Soldiers from Task Force 1-6 Infantry Regiment render their final salute to the memorial for Cpl. Carlo Alfonso during a ceremony at Camp Taji in northwestern Baghdad Sept. 1. Alfonso, a member of Company A, 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6 Inf., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad, died Aug. 26 in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)