July 13, 2007

San Jose paratrooper killed in Iraq

Roberto Causor Jr. grew up near Evergreen

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

Specialist Roberto Causor Jr., died on Saturday, July 7, from injuries he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol in Samarra, Iraq.

Specialist Roberto Causor Jr.

The soldier, who was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, was a 2004 graduate of Overfelt High School who joined the army so he could pay back the country for the freedoms he and his family enjoy, said a family member. He went into the army directly after high school. He was serving as an automatic rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regimen, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

The unit held a memorial service in Iraq on Thursday, July 12.

Causor is survived by his father, Roberto Causor Sr., and his mother, Maria R. Causor, both of Rio Rancho, NM, and his three sisters. The family plans to lay Causor to rest in San Jose, where his extended family lives.

In a statement released to the press through the 82nd Airborne’s Public Affairs office, Causor Jr.’s father, Roberto Causor Sr. said:

“His favorite pastime was to be with his family. His mother would cook his favorite dish, enchiladas, when he would come home to visit on leave. She would have to stock up on Doritos, fresh chile and limon when she knew he would be visiting. Roberto Junior would often send home money to help with projects around the house. He had planned to move to Rio Rancho, NM to be with his family when he got out of the Army, and wanted to purchase a home to live in. Junior was also planning to go to college with his sister and pursue a degree in construction management.”

Causor was born Feb. 10, 1986, and called the east side of San Jose his home.

After joining the Army in August 2004, he completed his Infantry One Station Unit Training in November of that year and followed with the Basic Airborne Course, which he finished in December of 2004 at Fort Benning, Ga. In February 2005 he reported to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th PIR as a grenadier.

Spc. Roberto Causor joking around during one of his leaves.

"It is an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve alongside Spc. Roberto Causor,” Captain Buddy Ferris, commander of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regimen said in a statement. “Spc. Causor epitomized the words courage, selfless service and honor; he was a Paratrooper that represented all that is great about America. His sacrifice strengthens our resolve to accomplish our difficult mission to keep America safe and foster democracy in the nation of Iraq.”

“This hero will be sorely missed and will forever live in our memories,” added Ferris.

Spc. Causor’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

“My wife and I knew from when Roberto Junior was a young boy that he had a desire to serve his country and join the Army,” Causor Sr. said. “We supported him when he joined and prayed for him everyday. Words cannot express how proud we are of him and he will always be our hero. He will always be with us in our hearts and minds and will never be forgotten.”