Captain Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas

Captain Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas - Class of '98

Age: 28

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Corps Outfit: Squadron 16

Military Unit: 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division

Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas of San Antonio, TX age 28 was killed in action on December 28th 2003. He died in Iraq while performing a support mission with the 1-504 HHC scouts of the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Three of his fellow soldiers were wounded. Ernie had been in Iraq since September of the current year. He had also served in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division as a platoon leader, earning a Bronze Star. Ernie was a graduate of the Armys Jumpmaster, Ranger and Airborne courses. He attended Infantry Officer training in Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the year 2000. Ernie was a graduate of Texas A & M, Class of 98, where he had been a member of the Corps of Cadets and was a Ross Volunteer.

He was a member of the 1993 graduating class of Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas, his home of record since 1975. Ernie was a classically trained guitarist who loved Rock and Country music. He was a gifted singer and an excellent dancer. Ernie had a contagious smile, and whatever Ernie did, he did with great enthusiasm, humor, and total dedication. He was the finest son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and companion a person could have and was looking forward to being the same as a husband.

Ernie was dedicated to his faith, his country, his family and his profession. A truly natural born leader, Ernie lived his life courageously, always looking out for others. Ernie was born in Hartford, Connecticut on the 10th of August of 1975.

He was raised in Puerto Rico, his parents birthplace. He is survived by his mother Gloria Caldas-Levine, his father, Jos M. Blanco; his sister, Carmen Pendergraff; his grandparents Joe and Lee Caldas; his nephew Trystan Pendergraff, and his fiance, Michelle Sorrel. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Blaine Pendergraff; his step-father, Barry Levine; his step-mother, Taimi Blanco, and his aunts and uncles, Joanie and Dr. Jerry Maymi, Patricia and Dr. Rafael Santiago, Jos and Tamara Caldas.

Source: Porter Loring Mortuaries