The Department of Defense has announced the death in Afghanistan of an Illinois soldier in Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Department of Defense said Tuesday that 37-year-old Sgt. Anibal Santiago, of Belvidere, died July 18 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained a day earlier in a noncombat related incident in Kwowst, Afghanistan.
Having previously served in Iraq, Santiago was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He died from a high-altitude fall, reported CBS television station WRBL.
Santiago was assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, based in Fort Benning, Ga.
He is survived by his wife, Mandy of Fort Benning Ga., his son, Hannibal Felix of Belvidere, Ill.; and his parents, Anibal and Maria Santiago of Belvidere, Ill.
Santiago is the third member of the Armed Forces from Illinois to die in Afghanistan in the last two weeks. An Army Ranger from Wildwood died during an explosion at an ammunition holding facility and a Marine from Crystal Lake died during combat. All had served multiple tours of duty.
Serviceman from Belvidere Killed in Afghanistan
Defense Department says Sgt. Anibal Santiago died from a fall
Copyright AP - Associated Press
