Fernan Tesoro Castelo

CSM Fernan Tesoro Castelo, 48, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at Womack Army Medical Center.

CSM Castelo was born in the Philippines on November 8, 1964 to Narciso and Minerva Castelo. He entered the United States Army in February 1983 and attended Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ. He served in every level of enlisted leadership to include Section leader with 30th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Squad leader with the 649th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade in Germany; Platoon Sergeant with the 3rd PSYOP Battalion; First Sergeant with the 9th PSYOP Battalion and the Headquarters Company of 4th PSYOP Group; Operations SGM of the C9, Civil Military Operations of Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), 3RD ARMY, Task Force Bagram; SGM during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; Command Sergeant Major of the Joint Psychological Operation Task Force in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd PSYOP Battalion (Airborne) (Dissemination); and Command Sergeant Major of the 1st PSYOP Battalion (Airborne).  His last assignment was Command Sergeant Major of the 4th Military Information Support Operations Group.
Command Sergeant Major Castelo was a graduate of Command Sergeant Major Development Program, Keystone Program Senior Leader Course, Combatives Level One, United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy (Class 27), Joint PSYOP Course, Individual Terrorism Awareness Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, Senior Leader Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape SERE (High Risk), First Sergeant Course, Jumpmaster Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Airborne Course, and the French Commando Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Distinguished Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (8th), National Defense Service Medal (IX), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service (1 OLC), Iraq Campaign Medal Service Medal (2 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (1OLC), United Nation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver Badge, Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert Pistol, Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert Rifle.

Left to cherish his memory are, his wife Annie M. Castelo of the home; children, Edward Castelo of Garner, NC and Kristine Castelo of Fort Bragg, NC; parents, Narciso and Minerva Castelo of Delano, CA; sisters, Laarni Bautista of Bakersfield, CA, Irma Rodriguez of Delano, CA. and Lirio Medina of Bakersfield, CA.

Visitation will be 6:00-9:00 PM Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at LaFayette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6651 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Friday, April 19, 2013 at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Chapel, Ardennes St., Fort Bragg, NC 28307.

Burial with Full Military Honors will follow the service at 12:00 Noon Friday, April 19, 2013 at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC.

Arrangements for the family are in the care of LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304. On-Line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com.