Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony M. Carbullido

Died August 8, 2008 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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25, of Agat, Guam; assigned to the Naval Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill.; died Aug. 8, in Sangatesh, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

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Family, friends mourn sailor: Acting governor orders flags to half-staff

By Beau Hodai

Pacific Daily News

Family and friends of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony M. “Tony” Carbullido gathered at the family’s home in Agat yesterday to mark his passing.

Throughout intermittent showers, family members in chairs under an awning recited the rosary.

Anthony Carbullido, 25, is the 17th serviceman from Guam to die since the outset of the War on Terror in 2001 and the fifth this year. The total number of regional casualties is 29.

Anthony Carbullido, the sailor’s father, said that the family was notified of his son’s death early Saturday morning.

The sailor is survived by his wife, Summer, and his daughter, Lexie, both of whom live in Chicago.

According to a statement issued yesterday from the Navy’s Public Affairs office, the corpsman died from “injuries he suffered when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while serving in Sangatesh, Afghanistan.” Lt. Donnell Evans, public affairs director for Naval Forces Marianas, said the sailor died Aug. 8.

Island leaders shared their condolences over the loss of another of Guam’s sons.

“We extend our sympathies and prayers to his family, friends and loved ones,” said Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo in a statement issued yesterday.

“Anthony will rest in the hearts and minds of a grateful people who are humbled by his ultimate sacrifice,” said acting Gov. Mike Cruz in a statement yesterday. “I have ordered all government ... agencies to fly all flags at half-staff in honor of Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Carbullido.”

Those gathered at the Carbullido family home yesterday remembered Anthony M. Carbullido fondly.

“He was a real doer,” said Austin Carbullido, the sailor’s brother. Austin Carbullido said his brother always approached challenges head-on and that he enlisted in the military because he wanted to be a doctor.

Jermaine Alerta, who had been friends with the sailor since they were in kindergarten together, remembered his friend’s sense of humor.

“He was a very funny guy, ... always talking. He was fun to be around,” said Alerta. “He was a great guy, just a great guy.”

Alerta remembered the corpsman’s last visit to Guam in March. He was here for two weeks with his wife, Summer whom he had recently married.

“We took him and his wife around and had a good time,” said Alerta.

Alerta said the couple talked about how they planned to move back to Guam to raise their family once his tour of duty in Afghanistan was completed.

According to the fallen sailor’s father, the corpsman was scheduled to leave Afghanistan in July for the 3rd Marine Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan.

But Anthony M. Carbullido’s tour was extended until Aug. 7. His tour was extended yet again, until the end of August.

“He was over there so we can have the way of life we always believed in,” his father said. “He was the kind of kid that always made the ultimate challenge, and he made this ultimate challenge so we can have freedom anywhere in the world.”

While he doesn’t know the exact date yet, the sailor’s father said he plans to meet his son’s remains when they arrive in Dover, Del.

Aurora Carbullido, the sailor’s mother, said that her son’s death was the realization of her fears as the mother of a sailor involved in active duty.

“I’ve seen past pictures and articles (of troops who have died in combat) and it scared me because my son is over there,” said Aurora Carbullido.

“This is a hard situation to be in,” his father said. “It’s hard to believe that this is happening to us.”

Aurora Carbullido asked the community to pray for them during their hardship and pray for other servicemen and women serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom.