Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony L. Capra

Died April 9, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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31, of Hanford, Calif.; assigned to Detachment 63, 688th Armament Systems Squadron, Indian Head City, Md.; died April 9 in Golden Hills, Iraq, of wounds sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device.

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Air Force names EOD airman killed in Iraq

Staff report

An airman who had already earned a Bronze Star for an earlier deployment to Iraq died there Wednesday, Air Force officials said.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony L. Capra, 31, of Hanford, Calif., died Wednesday near an area called Golden Hills, about 6 miles west of Balad Air Base, of wounds sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device. He was an explosive ordnance technician and assigned to Detachment 63 of the 688th Armament Systems Squadron in Indian Head, Md.

Before he was stationed at Indian Head, Capra was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Flight.

“It’s a huge hit to the Eglin EOD flight because we knew Tony personally,” Capt Shane Frith, EOD flight commander, said in an Air Force statement. “We won’t be able to forget his character and the way he represented the EOD community. The impact is tremendous on the local troops here.”

In May 2006, Capra was among seven airmen from the flight presented Bronze Stars for their service in Iraq.

Capra was assigned to the 688th in the fall of 2007. The squadron oversees the acquisition of bomb disposal gear and other combat support equipment for the Air Force.

Capra’s other decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal presented in 2006 and Air Force Achievement Medal presented in May 2002.

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Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony L. Capra remembered

The Associated Press

Anthony L. Capra’s commander saw a link between Capra’s Air Force role and his being a father and the eldest of 12 children.

“As the oldest, the personal skills he cultivated by acting as mediator, guardian, counselor and friend no doubt contributed to his prowess as a leader and mentor,” said Capt. Robert Scott.

Capra, 31, of Hanford, Calif., was killed April 9 while dismantling a roadside bomb near Balad Air Base. He was assigned to Indian Head City, Md.

“He thought quickly and clearly under pressure, he took charge of any situation, he had a keen eye for details, an astounding memory and courage without measure,” Scott said.

Serving in the Air Force is a tradition for the Capra family.

Capra’s father, Tony, was an airman, and three of Capra’s siblings followed their brother into the Air Force.

“He was a character,” said Capra’s former boss, Capt. Shane Frith. “You couldn’t be around this guy without laughing. He was a great guy. He would light up a room.”

Survivors also include his wife, Angie, and children, Mark, Victoria, Jared, Shawn and Adrianna.