Acosta, Rudy

Acosta, Rudy Alexander

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.