One of our class members, Catherine, lost her son Demitri last week in Afghanistan. Please keep
Catherine, Demitri and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
TAMPA --reprinted from TBO.com.
1st Lt. Dimitri del Castillo was on patrol in the mountains of Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on Saturday when his unit was attacked, sparking an intense firefight.
Castillo, a rifle platoon leader, was on the radio trying to coordinate radio when he was mortally wounded, said Nate Pulliam, del Castillo's father-in-law.
"He continued talking on the radio to get support,'' Pulliam said. "He died soon after getting hit, while remaining on the radio attempting to get fire support for the attack coming from multiple directions."
Pulliam said 28 other soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Carlos del Castillo, Dimitri's father, said his son had wanted to be a soldier for years.
"He wanted to lead his men into battle and do his best to keep them out of harm's way and complete their mission," said del Castillo via phone from his Tampa home.
Dimitri del Castillo loved riding bicycles and playing basketball, his father said.
"He was a very energetic, just fun-loving, caring, easygoing kid," del Castillo said, who played on the soccer team at Katy High School in Texas.
."His nickname was 'The Wind,' " his father said
He applied for and was accepted to West Point in 2005, said del Castillo.
"In the middle of his four years, we sat down had a long conversation about his direction and he told us he wanted to go to the infantry because that's where he felt his talents were," del Castillo said. "He had an ability to handle combat situations, identify scenarios, set up defenses, take out enemy positions and complete missions."
Carlos del Castillo moved to Tampa with his wife, Catherine, son Carlos Andres and daughter Anna Catherine about five years ago when he was transferred by Bright House Networks, where he serves as vice president and general manager for Hillsborough County. Dimitri del Castillo spent summers here after his family relocated.
"He loved Tampa," del Castillo said. "He eventually wanted to join the Special Forces, or the CIA."
Del Castillo said the last time he talked with his son was the day before he died.
"We talked for a few minutes," del Castillo said. "We got to tell each other we loved each other. I told him to be safe, we will talk to you soon."
Del Castillo had married Katie Pulliam in Tampa in December, said Nate Pulliam, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.
The del Castillos met at West Point, where they entered as cadets in 2005 and were commissioned as officers in May 2009. Katie del Castillo is a first lieutenant serving in Afghanistan, Pulliam said.
"If ever two people were meant to be together, it was those two people."
Pulliam said the couple served in the same brigade but different battalions. They both arrived in Afghanistan about two-and-a-half months ago and served at different forward operating bases about 30 minutes apart by helicopter.
They managed to visit with each other twice while in Afghanistan, Pulliam said.
The last time, he said, was June 9, when she went to visit him for his 24th birthday.
"I found out when the captain and the chaplain showed up at my door Sunday," del Castillo said. "When those two people show up, you know why they are there."
Del Castillo was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal and the NATO Medal.
"Dimitri is a true hero," Pulliam said. "He is amazing and not just in battle where he died. I was with him for three weeks before he deployed. He was an incredible officer, fully dedicated. He knew his life was in God's hands and he didn't worry about the outcome."
Pulliam said there may be a memorial for del Castillo in Tampa. The funeral, he said, will be at West Point. Del Castillo said he is working on the arrangements.
For Katie Del Castillo, these are difficult times, Pulliam said.
"She is strong, and like anyone would do, it kind of comes in waves," he said. "She can look at pictures and laugh and at other times, she is in anguish."
Dimitri del Castillo "is at peace," his father said. "He was in God's hands. He knew this was his purpose in life and now he is looking down on us smiling."
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