 CBS4 -- THE HAMMOCKS (CBS4) ¯ Lance Cpl. Nelson M. Lantigua, 20, of Miami, died March 31st in Anbar, Iraq, in what the Defense Department reported was a non-hostile incident which is under investigation.
CBS4 learned that a fellow soldier found Lantigua with a gunshot wound to his head.
Members of his family in the Hammocks are grieving his death Thursday, saying they last spoke to him over the weekend.
"He didn't deserve this," cried a cousin, Milagros Santos of west Kendall, who said he was hoping to return home the second week of April.
She added that he was a native of the Dominican Republic, where his mother lives, and where his body will eventually be buried.
Lantigua joined the Marine Corps in October 2007 and was part of the field artillery unit. He was sent to Iraq one year later.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Among his awards included the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. |
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Devil Dog!