Rito Jose Diaz

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Combat Infantryman, Army Achievement, Army Commendation (2), Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Army Service, Overseas Service Bar (2), Operation Enduring Freedom

Rito served with honor and courage during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan with the legendary 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasan), surviving the fierce fighting of Operation Anaconda.

Soldier, Rito Diaz, from the 1st Battalion of the 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) - 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) of the United States Army. In early 2002 the Rakkasans deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where they most notably participated in Operation Anaconda in the eastern Shah-i-Khot region. Operation Anaconda was the largest combat operation in Afghanistan of the War on Terrorism that began after the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. Major General F.L. Hagenbeck, commander of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, led the major effort to clean out remaining al-Qaeda fighters and their Taliban allies in the Shah-i-Khot Valley. Soldier Diaz was awarded Expert Badge M-16 Rifle, Expert Badge Hand Grenade, Combat Infantryman Badge, Overseas Service Bar (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Lifesaver Training Course