The body of a Miami soldier who was killed earlier this month in Afghanistan was brought back to South Florida Tuesday morning.
More than a dozen friends and family joined 150 servicemen and women to pay their respects to U.S. Army Spc. Gerardo Campos at Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Campos, 23, was killed on June 2 when his unit was attacked with small fire arms by enemy forces near Maiwand, according to the Department of Defense.
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According to unit records, Campos entered the army in March 2010 and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
He was awarded multiple decorations and awards, including Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart National Defense Service Medal, the NATO Medal and more.
Campos was described as a soldier you could always count on, said 1st Sgt John Knight, Company B, 4-23 Infantry Regiment.
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"Spc. Campos was the wind beneath the wings of his platoon. He motivated his fellow soldiers and believed in their ability to rise to the occasion, regularly pushing them beyond their limits," Knight said in a statement.
Air Reserve Base spokesman Timothy Norton said the family plans to hold a service for Campos at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Homestead.
Flags will be at half staff on government buildings in Miami-Dade Wednesday in memory of Campos.
