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First Name: Justin

Last Name: Casillas

Birthplace: Yolo County, CA,

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Dunnigan, CA
Middle Name: Aaron



Date of Birth: 28 May 1990

Date of Death: 04 July 2009

Rank: Private First Class

Years Served:
Justin Aaron Casillas

   
Engagements:
•  Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present)

Biography:

Justin Aaron Casillas
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 4 July 2009, Private First Class Justin Aaron Casillas was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, AK, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that day, PFC Casillas’ unit was stationed at Combat Outpost Zerok in a highly-dangerous battle zone of Afghanistan, when it came under sudden and heavy enemy fire at about 0530 hours. Early in the attack, machine gun, indirect fire and heavy mortar explosions knocked out communications at the outpost and PFC Casillas put himself at risk several times by bravely running through the open battlefield, without cover, to relay mission instructions between the command staff and his fellow paratroopers. PFC Casillas' actions played an integral role in the counterattack. PFC Casillas was killed in action while attempting to carry a wounded comrade to a distant medical unit. PFC Casillas’ selfless, courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges (Partial Listing)

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Justin A. Casillas, United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 4 July 2009, while serving with the 3d Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Stationed in a highly dangerous battle zone of Afghanistan, Private First Class Casillas' unit came under sudden and heavy enemy fire at about 0530 on 4 July 2009. Machine gun, indirection fire and heavy mortar explosions knocked out communications at the base early in the attack. Private First Class Casillas put himself at risk several times, bravely running through the open battlefield without cover to relay mission instructions between command staff and his fellow paratroopers, playing an integral role in the counterattack. Private First Class Casillas was killed attempting to carry a wounded comrade to a distant medical unit. Private First Class Casillas gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Burial

Private First Class Justin Aaron Casillas is buried at Marys Cemetery in Yolo, Yolo County, CA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39092647/justin-a_-casillas



Honoree ID: 8941   Created by: MHOH

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