Photo By 1st Sgt. Justin A. Naylor | Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers and leaders from 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, “Black Jack,” 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division-North, gathered to mourn the loss of Sgt. Estevan Altamirano at a memorial service held in his honor at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 20.
Altamirano died Sept. 18 from injuries sustained from an accident.
Altamirano joined the Army in November of 2000 as an Abrams tank crewman and after completing initial training was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. In 2002, he was reassigned to Company A, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time, he was handpicked to be part of the battalion commander’s personal security detail team.
In 2005, Company A, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., was reorganized as Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment. Altamirano remained with the company and deployed to Iraq in 2006 and again in 2009, where he served as a tank commander, gunner and assistant tank commander. Altamirano deployed again in 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn.
“I have known Sgt. Estevan Altamirano for 9 years, and when he was around it was never a dull moment,” said Staff Sgt. Joel Ramirez, a friend of Altamirano. “He was always upbeat about any situation he was in. He was also very good at making other people feel better about their situation.”
“He was a humble, well-hearted individual, trying to make sure things were alright with you,” he continued. “All you had to do was ask and he was there.”
“He was always the kind of guy you could walk up to for anything whether it was work related or personal, or if you just wanted to have some company,” said Spc. Larry Griffin, a soldier that served with Altamirano for six years.
“[He] was an outstanding tanker and outstanding leader,” said Griffin. “He took his job seriously, and he always made sure it was done to standard. He never let anyone slack, and he was always right there alongside us getting his hands dirty.”
“[He] was also a husband and a father,” Griffin continued.
He was always talking about his wife and kids, and how smart his kids are, and how supportive they all were of what their dad did, Griffin said. “He always placed his family first.”
“Let us all not forget what kind of soldier, mentor, friend, father and husband he was, and the sacrifices he made for his family, friends and his country,” Griffin continued.
“You will always be in our hearts, brother and we will never forget you,” he said of Altamirano.
Altamirano’s military awards included the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Altamirano is survived by his wife Pamela; sons Damion and Dominic; and daughters Leandra, Kayla and Alexandria.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2011 11:39 |
| Story ID: | 77638 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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