Lester D. Baroncini killed by land mine

Army Sgt. Lester D. Baroncini Jr., of Bakersfield, was fatally injured Sunday when two land mines detonated near his Humvee in Samarra, Iraq, according to new details revealed Thursday by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Baroncini, a 33-year-old paratrooper who was inspired to serve his country by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was sent to Iraq in July. He was not married and did not have children.

Pfc. Stephen D. Bicknell, 19, of Prattville, Ala., was killed by the same blast. Both soldiers were assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C., the army said.

In a news release, Lt. Col. Viet Luong called serving with Baroncini a “tremendous honor.”

“His story is that of honor, courage and sacrifice,” Luong said.

Baroncini’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and numerous other military accolades.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Jones remembered Baroncini for his smile, his passion for the job and his interest in weaponry, the release said.

“He always talked about getting back to that ranch,” he said. “He will be sadly missed.”

Baroncini’s family is waiting to plan funeral arrangements, according to the Rev. Craig Harrison, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, who is serving as a spokesman for the soldier’s family.

Spc. Jim Wilt, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne, didn’t know Thursday evening when Baroncini’s body would arrive in the United States.

Harrison said the quiet, private family spent time looking at pictures and sharing stories about Baroncini, but did not wish to comment.

“I think it’s hard enough not having him here, but ... they would like to know a little bit more about what took place and what he was doing,” he said.

Baroncini joined the Army in October 2003 and completed training in February 2004 at Fort Benning in Georgia, according to the Army. He finished a Basic Airborne Course in March 2004 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

Harrison said Baroncini, who went to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, was a “cowboy type” who showed steers at the fair.

The Bakersfield High School graduate planned to take over the family ranching business upon his return from the Army, Harrison said.

Although he didn’t get to know Baroncini personally, Harrison recalled him as a quiet, friendly churchgoer. “I think his faith meant a lot to him,” he said.

Baroncini was a well-rounded student, said Michael Battistoni, who taught him welding around 1990. His choice to enter the service wasn’t surprising, Battistoni said.

“To me, a lot of these students are patriotic, some aren’t,” he said. “He was really gung-ho for America.”

From the Bakersfield Californian