Specialist Rafael A. Nieves Jr., 22, of Albany, N.Y., was an infantryman assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He joined the Army in August 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2009. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and Army Service Ribbon.

Specialist Nieves died July 10, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires while on a mounted patrol in Paktika province, eastern Afghanistan.

Nieves Jr. is survived by his spouse, Sarah A. McKinney; daughter, Emma Grace Nieves; son, Rafael A. Nieves III, all of Oak Grove, Ky.; father, Rafael A. Nieves Sr. of Schenectady, N.Y.; and mother, Tina R. Roman of Bayonne, N.J.

A memorial service will be held for the fallen in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony to honor fallen Screaming Eagles.



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