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Intel_Airman · 12-25-2009, 16:11

http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20...091124-03.html

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Nov 23, 2009) — A U.S. Army Special Forces National Guard Soldier was killed Nov. 23 as a result of an improvised explosive device strike to his all-terrain vehicle, while conducting a combat patrol in the vicinity of Pashay Kala, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, was fatally wounded when he encountered an IED in the course of conducting a routine patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha intelligence sergeant assigned to, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Glen Arm, Md.

Pucino is survived by his parents Albert and Kathryn Pucino of Orlando Fla., and sisters Lisa Haglof of Sagamore, Mass. and Melissa Pucino, Plymouth, Mass.

I was fortunate enough to meet Matt this past January during a train up for a contract. He came to Fayetteville right after he returned from Iraq and spoke with us about the challenges we were facing down range and what to expect. When I got into country, everyone I encountered there (both fellow contractors and Soldiers) had nothing but great things to say about Matt and his work ethic. The little I talked with Matt, you could easily sense his determination to win this important battle. The man had done the job to the best of his ability, in and out of uniform. He will truly be missed. He was a real warrior.

12-25-2009, 16:11	#49
Intel_Airman Guerrilla Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 104	RIP SSG Matthew Pucino http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20...091124-03.html FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Nov 23, 2009) — A U.S. Army Special Forces National Guard Soldier was killed Nov. 23 as a result of an improvised explosive device strike to his all-terrain vehicle, while conducting a combat patrol in the vicinity of Pashay Kala, Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, was fatally wounded when he encountered an IED in the course of conducting a routine patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha intelligence sergeant assigned to, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Glen Arm, Md. Pucino is survived by his parents Albert and Kathryn Pucino of Orlando Fla., and sisters Lisa Haglof of Sagamore, Mass. and Melissa Pucino, Plymouth, Mass. I was fortunate enough to meet Matt this past January during a train up for a contract. He came to Fayetteville right after he returned from Iraq and spoke with us about the challenges we were facing down range and what to expect. When I got into country, everyone I encountered there (both fellow contractors and Soldiers) had nothing but great things to say about Matt and his work ethic. The little I talked with Matt, you could easily sense his determination to win this important battle. The man had done the job to the best of his ability, in and out of uniform. He will truly be missed. He was a real warrior. __________________ "Only the dead have seen the end of war." -Plato
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