#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Dimitri del Castillo

Veteran of the Day graphic created by Alexandra Craig for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Dimitri del Castillo. Dimitri served during the War in Afghanistan.

Dimitri graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 2009 and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant with the United States Army. In May 2010, after completing the Basic Officer Leadership Course and the Mortar Officers Leadership Course, Dimitri qualified as a U.S. Army Ranger and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division stationed out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

On June 25, 2011, while serving a combat deployment in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Dimitri and his unit were attacked by insurgent forces. Despite the risk, Dimitri refused to leave his position, where he used his radio to coordinate support for his fellow wounded soldiers. During the engagement Dimitri was killed by enemy fire.

Dimitri is interred at the United States Military Academy Cemetery at West Point, New York. For actions during his service, Dimitri earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and several other awards and commendations.

We honor his service.

Memorial Day Awareness

This month, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that connects Americans to the sacrifices made daily by the U.S. military, Veterans, first responders and their families to commemorate the “Memorial May” awareness campaign. The VA will share the stories of service members and Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in “Veteran of the Day” posts leading up to Memorial Day 2019.

Contributors

Editor: Geoffrey Townsley

Fact checker: Jordan Gossett

Graphic design: Alexandra Craig