DOD Identifies Army Casualties
October 15, 2010

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Oct. 14 while conducting combat operations between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez, 24, of Carrollton, Texas.

Spc. Rafael Martinez Jr., 36, of Spring Valley, Calif.

Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley, 20, of Portsmouth, Va.

They were assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

For more information the media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-7525 or 719-526-5500 after hours.

UPDATE: Oct. 20, 2010 — Sgt. Benitez was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.