Bealeton’s Berrios-Campos remembered as ‘a fine paratrooper’

Military officials say a U.S. Army paratrooper from Bealeton died last week in Iraq from non-combat related injuries.

Specialist Herberth A. Berrios-Campos was 21. The incident Friday at Salman Park in southeastern Baghdad remains under investigation, and no new details were available Monday.

Berrios-Campos was an assistant gunner with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He joined the Army in August 2007, completing training at Fort Benning, Ga., two months later.

Berrios-Campos arrived to the 82nd Airborne in November 2007 and was assigned as a gunner, according to a news release from Fort Bragg.

“Specialist Berrios-Campos was a fine paratrooper and a valued member to his platoon,” said Lt. Col. Dave Bair, commander of the 1st Battalion, 505th. “We are grateful for his service to our unit and are proud of his service to the nation. His loss will be felt by many.”

Awards and decorations earned by Berrios-Campos include: the Army Achievement, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.

He is survived by his mother, Armida Carballos, of Manassas and his father, Jose Campos, of Centreville. They could not be reached Monday.

According to News Blaze, an online news source that publishes stories by American soldiers on the ground, Berrios-Campos was serving in his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Specialist Berrios-Campos’ energetic youthfulness and humorous personality will be greatly missed by all that knew him,” said Capt. Joel Graves, his company commander.