CAMP RAMADI, Iraq - Hundreds of Soldiers came together to commemorate the lives of two fallen comrades during a memorial service in their honor, Oct. 2.
Specialist John Carrillo Jr. and Pfc. Gebrah Noonan died of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Sept. 23. Both Soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and were deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.
"Some of the chapters in our lives are defined by honor, some by fear, some by comedy and some by tragedy," said Capt. Steven Pierce, commander of HHC, 3/15 Inf. "Today we honor two Soldiers who had just begun to fill the pages of their stories."
Specialist Carrillo, a Stockton, Calif., native, entered the Army March 3, 2008, and served with in HHC, 4th AAB after completing advanced individual training and graduating as a signal support systems specialist. He joined 3/15th Inf. in May 2010.
Sergeant Keith Conrade, a communications noncommissioned officer with 3/15 Inf., met the 20-year-old Soldier before the brigade began its final mission rehearsal at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., before deploying to Iraq.
"His excitement was contagious and often times I would find myself with just a little more energy from his positive nature," Sgt. Conrade said of Spc. Carrillo. "I am going to miss him very much and I am thankful that I got the chance to know him and enjoy the person who he was."
Specialist Carrillo is survived by his wife, Desiree, and their two children.
Private First Class Noonan, a Watertown, Conn., native, joined the Army Oct. 26, 2009, and trained as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga.
"He always wanted to go to Ranger School and then go to Afghanistan and do high-speed infantry things," said Spc. Shawnell Lattimore, with HHC, 3/15 Inf., and a friend to Pfc. Noonan. "We got along well because we had a lot in common. He was always quick to help fellow Soldiers when they needed something, and he had a wonderful sense of humor and personality."
Private First Class Noonan is survived by his mother and father.
"He was a great friend and battle buddy," Spc. Lattimore said of the 26-year-old fallen Soldier. "I will truly miss him."
Soldiers paid their final respects to Spc. Carrillo and Pfc. Noonan, rendering one last salute to the troops.
"They were honorable, noble, selfless (and) dedicated patriots," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Shoemaker, commander of 3/15th Inf. "These Soldiers were our brothers and our friends; let us mourn them."
Social Sharing