Army Staff Sgt. Ernesto G. Cimarrusti

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Ernesto G. Cimarrusti, 25, of Douglas, Ariz.

SSgt. Cimarrusti was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died March 10, 2008 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device. Also killed were Sgt. 1st. Class Shawn M. Suzch, Staff Sgt. David D. Julian, Cpl. Robert T. McDavid and Cpl. Scott A. McIntosh.

2 soldiers from Ariz. are killed

By Maxine Park
The Arizona Republic

Two Arizona soldiers died in Iraq this week: Pfc. Tenzin L. Samten, 33, of Prescott, and Army Staff Sgt. Ernesto Guadalupe Cimarrusti, 25, of Douglas.

Samten was killed along with two other soldiers on Wednesday in Tallil after their non-tactical vehicle was hit by indirect fire, the Department of Defense said.

Officials said Samten was a motor transport operator assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) in Fort Eustis, Va.

Samten enlisted in the Army in July 2006. Officials said that he received several awards, including the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. Samten is survived by his wife and two children.

Cimarrusti was killed in a suicide bombing along with four other soldiers on Monday in central Baghdad. The soldiers were talking with shop owners when explosives were detonated 30 feet away.

Cimarrusti was on his third tour in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.

Army Staff Sgt. Ernesto G. Cimarrusti was killed in action on 03/10/08.