Platoon to honor Castillo

[SR-25]

Full military rites will be conducted Tuesday in Streator by the platoon of Cpl. Daniel Castillo, the 20-year-old Streator National Guardsman who died in a training accident in Kentucky last week.

Castillo, son of Rafael and Elba Castillo of 1120 E. Main St., died from internal injuries suffered when he was struck by a Humvee during training manuevers Jan. 10 at Fort Campbell, Ky. His platoon, the 2nd Platoon of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, will attend today’s visitation for Castillo from 3-8 p.m. at Elias Funeral Home, and will conduct full military rites for their fallen comrade at St. Stephen’s Cemetery following a 10 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday.

Full military rites include a firing squad conducting a 21-gun salute, a six-man burial detail folding an American flag and presenting it to the fallen soldier’s family, and playing taps. An honor guard also will stand watch for the duration of the visitation.

Castillo, a 2003 Streator High School graduate, served as an automatic rifleman for the 101st Airborne Division. His previous assignment with HHC, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment found him deployed to Iraq to serve as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was scheduled for redeployment to Iraq in March.

Since enlisting in the Army in 2003, Castillo earned several awards and decorations, including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal for dedicated service to the Army and his unit.


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[SSGMike.Ivy]

Rest in peace young soldier

[rchiruck]

I was there for the ceremony back at Campbell, he was a good soldier. Will be missed greatly.

[SGTBelcher29]

Rest easy trooper