Spc. Stephen Robert Fortunato, 25, of Danvers, Massachusetts joined the military in August 2005 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since June 2007.

The soldier  died October 14, 2008 in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers in the vehicle also were killed.

  The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.

Spc. Fortunato’s military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal.