Rafael E Bigai Baez

San Juan, Puerto Rico

September 23, 2011

 Killed in Wardak, province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device.

9/26/2011 - A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Sept. 25, 2011. Bigai Baez was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian Rowan) 

Two 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in Afghanistan
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
Two 10th Mountain Division soldiers based at Fort Polk, La., were killed Friday in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez, 28, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Pfc. Carlos A. Aparicio, 19, of San Bernardino, Calif., died in Wardak of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, which is commanded by Fort Drum.