The family of a Filipino-American soldier who died from injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Afghanistan paid tribute to his heroism.
Sergeant First Class Reymund Transfiguracion spent his last time with his parents and five brothers last Christmas.
The 36-year old highly-decorated Special Forces Green Beret died on August 12 from wounds he suffered after an IED blast while conducting a dismounted nighttime raid in Afghanistan.
His older brother Reydez spoke exclusively to Balitang America just two days after his brother’s body arrived back home in the island of Hawaii.
Reydez said they learned a little bit more about his humble, brave and heroic younger brother.
“According to the person who was close to him during that moment, he said to the wife and he said something to us that he saved a lot and we didn’t even know cause he’s so quiet he doesn’t tell us what he does. That’s why he got two purple hearts, we didn’t even know,” he said.
Scott Smith, a brother of one of Transfiguracion’s teammates who set up a GoFundMe page for the late soldier's wife and two young children, tells Balitang America a similar story.
He said he learned that Transfiguracion, who was on his fourth deployment, saved many people the night he was injured.
Reydez said he remembers one particular time that truly defines what kind of man his brother was.
“My truck broke down and I was the only truck up in the mountain. If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, I was stuck 12,000 feet up, about 5:30 in the evening. And I called him, and he was like I’m coming bro, don’t worry I got your back. And that’s just the way he is. He always finds a way. He never quits on you.”
Born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Transfiguracion moved to the big island with his family in 2001. He will be laid to rest on September 7 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defense said the incident is still under investigation.
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source: news.abs-cbn.com
