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Iván Castro facts for kids

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Iván Castro
Lt. Castro 4pg.jpg
Captain Iván Castro
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Department of the Army Seal.svg United States Army
Years of service 1988-present
Rank US-O3 insignia.svg - Captain
Unit Special forces
Battles/wars Operations Desert Storm and others
Awards Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal

Captain Iván Castro (born 1967) is a U.S. Army officer who did not leave the Special Forces after becoming blind. He is one of three blind officers who currently serve in the U.S. Army and the only blind officer in the United States Army Special Forces. Castro believes in helping wounded fighters return to a normal life, and has talked to Congress about this. He takes part in marathons and other races.

Early years

Castro was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. His parents were from Puerto Rico. In 1979, when he was 12 years old, he moved to Puerto Rico with his mother. After finishing military training, Castro went to university in Puerto Rico. While he was a student he went to lots of sports running competitions. After four years of university, Castro joined the US Army. He later trained to become an officer. He was blinded in combat in Iraq in 2006.

Marathons

Castro is still active as a sportsman. He used to train with Major Phil Young, who was his leader in the Special Forces, and has done lots of races. The audiences often encourage him for his determination. He now trains with LT. Colonel Fred Dummar, who is his Battalion Commander. Together they have completed several marathons.

Awards

Castro has received lots of awards. Some of them are:

Medals and Awards
  • Purple Heart BAR.svg  Purple Heart
  • Meritorious Service ribbon.svg  Meritorious Service Medal
  • Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg  Joint Services Commendation Medal
  • Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg  Army Commendation Medal
  • Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg  Army Achievement Medal
  • Army Good Conduct ribbon.svg  Army Good Conduct Ribbon
  • National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg  National Defense Service Medal
  • AFEMRib.svg  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Southwest Asia Service ribbon.svg  Southwest Asia Service Medal
  • KosovoRib.svg  Kosovo Campaign Medal
  • Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg  Afghanistan Campaign Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg  Army Overseas Service Ribbon
  • NCO Professional Development Ribbon.svg  Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon
  • Army Service Ribbon.svg  Army Service Ribbon
  • NATO Medal Non-Article 5 - Operations in the Balkans.png  NATO Medal
  • 60px (soldier)  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabian)
  • Us kw-kwlib rib.png  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
  • Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg  Presidential Unit Citation
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg  Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg  Meritorious Unit Citation
  • Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg  Valorous Unit Citation
Badges
  • CIB2.png  Combat Infantryman Badge with Star
  • Expert Infantry Badge.svg  Expert Infantryman Badge
  • US Army Airborne master parachutist badge.gif  Master parachutist badge
  • Pathfinder.gif  Pathfinder Badge
  • AirAssault.gif  Air Assault Badge
  • USASOC Military Free Fall Parachute Badge.jpg  Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
  • DrillInstructBadge.gif  Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
Foreign badges
  • Fallschirmspringerabzeichen der Bundeswehr in Bronze.jpg  German Parachutist Badge
  • Dutch Parachutist Badge
  • Columbian Jumpmaster Badge
Tabs
  • SpecForces.gif  Special Forces Tab
  • Ranger Tab.svg  Ranger tab
  • US Army Special Forces SSI.png Army Special Forces

Images for kids

  • Dr. Jill Biden joins U.S. Army Capt. Iván Castro (right) and his guide Richard Kirby (left), 2014

    Dr. Jill Biden joins U.S. Army Capt. Iván Castro (right) and his guide Richard Kirby (left), 2014

  • Castro in marathon

    Captain Iván Castro guided by Major Phil Young runs the Army Ten-Miler

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