Paratrooper killed in Afghanistan

82nd Abn. Div. PAO

	Pena

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper was killed in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan Jan. 19, while his unit was conducting a dismounted patrol.

Capt. Paul W. Pena, a 27-year-old native of Texas, was killed when his dismounted patrol detonated an improvised explosive device in the Arghandab River Valley in southern Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

Pena was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry in May 2004, and subsequently 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, and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment. During his time with 3rd Bn., 509th IR, he served a 14-month deployment to Iraq as a platoon leader.

In January 2009, Pena reported to Fort Bragg and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 508th PIR as the assistant operations officer. He later took command of Company A of the battalion and deployed with the unit to Afghanistan in August 2009.

“Paul was an outstanding leader and always made it a point to connect with his Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Guy Jones, commander of 2nd Bn., 508th PIR. “He knew his example was for more than just here and now. He will be greatly missed.”

Pena’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.

He is survived by his mother Cecilia Pena.

A memorial in his honor will be held in Afghanistan.