Saturday, December 29, 2007

Our Latest American Hero #109


benjaminbportell
Originally uploaded by Randuwa
Army Sgt. Benjamin B. Portell, 27, of Bakersfield, Calif.; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas; died Dec. 26 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds sustained from small arms fire during dismounted combat operations. Also killed was Capt. Rowdy J. Inman.

“Bakersfield Soldier Dies in Iraq on Second Term of Duty”

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—A soldier from Bakersfield who was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq was killed in Mosul when his Army platoon was ambushed.

The Department of Defense says 27-year-old Sgt. Benjamin Portell died Wednesday from wounds suffered from small arms fire.

Portell's pastor Brian Murphy says the soldier had just gotten married this year and was a devoted member of the Riverlakes Community Church.

Murphy says Portell's older brother, Mike, is currently deployed in Iraq and a younger brother Jeff served a term there as well.

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