Rank: Specialist
Unit: HHT, 4th Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Duty station: Vilseck, Germany
MOS: 68W – Combat Medic
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Afghanistan NATO Medal
Badges: Combat Medical Badge
Deployments: 1st
Enlisted: 2009
Date of birth: 17 August 1991
Hometown: Canyon Country, California
High School: Santa Clarita Christian School
Campaign: Afghanistan
Died: 19 March 2011
Age at death: 19
Cause of death: Killed in action – Small Arms Fire
Location of fatality: Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan
Click to open an external link to view general location of Soldier’s fatality.
Place of interment: Eternal Valley Cemetery in Newhall, California
Click to open an external link to view Soldier’s grave site on the Find A Grave website.
Notes: Acosta was killed in the spray of bullets, along with Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, of Bucyrus, Ohio. Four other soldiers were wounded. Other U.S. soldiers returned fire and killed the Afghanistan gunman.