Paul W. Pena

NAME: Paul W. Pena

PLACE OF BIRTH: San Marcos, TX

DATE OF BIRTH: 08 Jul 1982

DATES OF SERVICE: ?? ??? ???? - 19 Jan 2010

UNIT ASSIGNED: 1-509th Infantry

CAMPAIGNS: Operation Enduring Freedom

AWARDS: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

2004 - Graduated West Point

Former 3-509th PIR OIF 2006 - 2007 of San Marcos, TX KIA Jan 19 2010 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense has announced the death of Capt. Paul Peña, 27, of San Marcos, Texas who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He died Jan. 19 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was a member of the Junior ROTC at the San Marcos Baptist Academy where he was named "best all around student" by his school's National Honor Society chapter, and was voted most likely to succeed by his classmates. He created a disc golf course at the school for his Eagle Scout project. Peña graduated from the San Marcos Baptist Academy in 2000 and entered the U.S. Military Academy as a member of the class of 2004. Following graduation, he attended Infantry Officers Basic Course, Basic Airborne School and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of his training, Pena reported to Fort Richardson, Alaska, with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne).

Peña died along with Tech Sgt. Adam Ginett, 29, of North Carolina. The pair were on a foot patrol with Afghan soldiers in the Arghandab district, just north of Kandahar city, when they were killed by a roadside bomb. Five other soldiers were wounded. He served a 14-month deployment to Iraq as a platoon leader while with the 509th in 2006 - 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan last year. He had previously been awarded the Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious achievement or service during his previous deployments.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Menard called Pena a "recognized leader" among his peers. He further stated "Pena was a quiet professional, he always had a smile on his face and was admired by his soldiers".

AP:

Paul W. Pena was a hard worker but wasn’t one to sing his own praises. As a skinny teenager in the Junior ROTC program at San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, Texas, he worked quietly behind the scenes, ensuring that the unit’s annual inspection and other events went smoothly.

He rose to the rank of cadet major and graduated from the academy fifth in his class in 2000, said school spokeswoman Shelley Henry. Then he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2004.

Henry said Pena visited the school after serving in Iraq and didn’t seem apprehensive about returning to combat.

“He was just a leader, and I don’t think he was the kind to go in afraid,” she said. “He was a brave soldier.”

Pena, 27, died Jan. 19 in the Arghandab River Valley of Afghanistan of wounds from an explosive. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C.

A teacher at the San Marcos academy, Max Smith, recalled Pena as a diligent, well-behaved boy. “He always came back here and let you know he was OK and that he appreciated all you’d done for him,” said Smith, a retired Army colonel.

Pena’s survivors include his mother, Cecilia.

The family has requested donations to the Captain Paul W. Pena Memorial Scholarship at San Marcos Baptist Academy. Donations can be sent to the academy at 2801 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas 78666