Anthony K. Bento dies 'of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire'

A soldier from San Diego was killed by small-arms fire in Iraq on Monday.

Cpl. Anthony K. Bento, 23, was on foot patrol when his unit was attacked by insurgents, according to military officials.

Bento was an 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper, stationed out of Fort Bragg, in North Carolina. He joined the service in March 2005.

"Corporal Bento was a paratrooper who had accepted more responsibility early in his life than most people accept before they're 30," said Bento’s platoon leader, 1st Lt. Timothy Ball, in a news release issued by his unit. "He was a dedicated husband and a loving father to a young baby boy. His wife and his son were the primary focus in his life. He was also a great paratrooper who we trusted on the ground, behind the driver’s seat or up in the turret behind the gun.”

Bento's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist's Badge.

Bento is survived by his wife, Colleen Bento; their son, Anthony, and his parents, Anthony and Penny Bento. They are all San Diego residents.

From NBC 7