A San Antonio family is mourning the loss of a son who was killed in combat in Afghanistan on Monday.

Relatives of Army Spc. Omar Soltero, 28, were coping Tuesday with the notification that Soltero died from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with a roadside bomb in Wardak province in central Afghanistan.

The 10th Mountain Division soldier, based at Fort Polk, La., was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

"From when he was a little kid, he said when he turned 18 he wanted to join. He wanted to fight the bad guys," said his father, Gustavo Soltero. He said his son, one of four children, enlisted about 10 years ago and the family relocated here from California eight years ago.

The family's notification of the death "was like in the movies," Soltero said. "When they arrived to tell us, all you have to do is look at them and you know."

"He loved his country. That's about all there is to say," the father said as relatives from Texas, California and Mexico began gathering at the family's Northeast Side home. He added his son was in a relationship with a female soldier and they had two children.

His son sometimes mentioned the dangers he faced in Afghanistan, "but he still wanted to be there," Soltero said. "I never imagined this," the father said.

Spc. Soltero was the 18th casualty in Afghanistan and the first in 2011, to call San Antonio home.


Omar Soltero distinguished himself as a cross country runner and in track and field at Rubidoux High School in the late 1990s. He was a member of the Rubidoux High School class of 2000. Omar loved track and cross country in high school and made friends easily.


Spc. Soltero was a member of the Southern California Road Runners in 1995. He received awards for most dedicated athlete, a coach's award and a captain's award in 1998. He was named all-county senior in sports in 1999. He received high honors in Spanish on the Golden State Exam.



Omar Soltero had vowed to his family that he would return from war...but that wasn't his fate. His final tour ended on the battlefield when officials say insurgents used an improvised explosive device.

"As far back as I knew," Adrian Soltero said about his brother's dedication to the Army. "Before he left he was like I'll be back don't worry," said Adrian. But his brother did not return. He learned Monday that he died. "He must have tripped over a land mine," said Adrian.

Adrian always looked up to his older brother and he will now have to fill the shoes of his hero. Soltero leaves behind two kids and one of them is only 1 and 1/2 years-old. "His mom tried to tell them he's in heaven now," said Adrian of the mother of Soltero's children. "I guess they didn't understand it yet," I guess they felt like he was in another country or another city. "

"He was a hero," said Adrian. "He did what he had to do to serve his country."

Maria Soltero, Omar's mother, said she knew her son's job was dangerous, but supported his career in the Army. She added she respected God's decision and her son's decision as well.

As the family moves forward, they said they will hold on to their memories of Omar, remembering him as a man who gave so much love and his life.

"He was a hero, he did what he had to do to serve his country," Adrian Soltero said.


Soltero joined the active duty U.S. Army in August 2000. He joined the New York National Guard in August 2003 and then the Texas National Guard in December 2004 where he remained until February of 2010 when rejoined active duty service. His previous duty assignments include Fort Drum, N.Y., Camp Bullis, Texas, Camp Mabry, Texas, and Fort Benning, Ga. He arrived at Fort Polk in April 2010. Soltero had previously deployed twice to Kosovo.
Soltero's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NATO Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.


The soldier leaves behind two young sons, his parents, a younger brother and two older brothers.

As the family moves forward, they said they will hold on to their memories of Omar, remembering him as a man who gave so much love and his life.

Specialist Soltero was planning to come home on leave in May for his 29th birthday.

The dignified transfer of remains ceremony for Specialist Soltero was performed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware on February 2nd. No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.