An Army Special Forces soldier died on Aug. 12, five days after he was wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Before that, he was an engineer sergeant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Washington.
Transfiguracion was deployed to Iraq with the National Guard from 2005 to 2006. After he became an active-duty soldier, in 2008, he was deployed to Iraq again. In 2010 and 2011 he was deployed for a period of time in the Philippines, the Army Times reported.
His awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, a Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Combat Action Badge, the Special Forces Tab, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Basic Parachutist Badge, as well as an Air Assault Badge, the Army Times reported.
The Situation in Afghanistan
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel is one of two mission’s that began in Afghanistan right at the end of Operation Enduring Freedom. NATO’s Operation Resolute Support is the other, according to DoD Live.After removing the Taliban from power during the 13-year Operation Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support is meant to support the transition of Afghanistan to its new government and ultimately bring stability to the region. Resolute Support is composed of troops from over 40 countries.
Freedom’s Sentinel aids Resolute Support, while also dealing with the remaining terrorists in Afghanistan. The purpose is to prevent anymore attacks like the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
Local provincial council chief, Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, of Faryab Province, said the base was besieged for three days before the Taliban terrorists were able to overrun it. The Afghan soldiers didn’t get reinforcements and ran out of ammunition, according to AP.