Army Spc. Brian Tabada

Died February 27, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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21, of Las Vegas; assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 27 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire and a rocket-propelled grenade.

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Campbell soldier killed on patrol in Kunar

The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf-Chronicle

A 101st Airborne Division soldier died Feb. 27 after his mounted patrol received small-arms and rocket propelled grenade fire in the Darah-Ye district, Kunar province, Afghanistan.

Spc. Brian Tabada, 21, of Las Vegas was a fire support specialist, also known as a “Fister,” assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

He joined the Army in August 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2009, according to a Fort Campbell news release.

Tabada’s awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his father, Muncko Kruize of Honolulu, and Leinette Mahan of Las Vegas.

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Fallen soldier’s service praised

The Associated Press

Brian Tabada’s family remembers how he used to enjoy skateboarding, playing the guitar and video games, and writing and drawing.

Born in Olangapo, Philippines, he moved to the United States as a boy and, according to the Las Vegas Sun, attended Shadow Ridge High School and Arbor View High School in the area, which he called home.

The 21-year-old, who grew up to become a soldier, was killed Feb. 27 in Konar province, Afghanistan, by a grenade attack on his unit. He was assigned to Fort Campbell, where he arrived in 2009 — the year after he enlisted in the Army.

Survivors include his father, Muncko Kruize, and Kruize’s wife, Carol Ann Kruize, of Honolulu; mother, Leinette Mahan and husband Larry Brady, of Las Vegas; and four siblings.

For his military service, Tabada earned the Army Commendation Medal, one of multiple military honors, officials said.

Gov. Brian Sandoval praised Tabada after his death, saying the soldier “made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful.”