R.I.P. Cpl. Xhacob Latorre

21, of Waterbury, Conn.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Dec. 8 of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Staff report (from www.militarycity.com)

A North Carolina-based Marine injured in Afghanistan in August died Tuesday, according to the Defense Department.

Cpl. Xhacob Latorre, 21, of Waterbury, Conn., died of wounds he suffered Aug. 10 during combat operations in Helmand province. He lost both legs when he was struck by an improvised explosive device, according to the Warrior’s Wish Foundation Web site. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Latorre, a mortar man, joined the Corps in June 2005, according to II Marine Expeditionary Force release. He served two tours in Iraq, one in July 2006 and another in late 2007.

He is survived by his wife and son.

(The following is taken from www.wfsb.com of 17 Dec. 2009)WATERBURY, Conn. -- On Thursday, friends and family gathered in Waterbury to remember Xhacob Latorre, who died last week as he tried to recover from wounds he suffered while serving in Afghanistan.

Latorre's aunt, Carmen Lasalle, spoke on behalf of the family and said, "Xhacob was a very unique person. He was lovable, respectful and touched many lives. There was absolutely nothing bad about him; we enjoyed his presence every second of the day."

Latorre served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was injured in an explosion in August. Both of his legs were amputated and he was being treated in Texts when he died, surrounded by his family.

Lasalle said, "Our family is hurting tremendously, but we are so thankful to God almighty that he was brought back to us alive and that we could be with him in his last days."

Latorre leaves behind his wife and young son. The fallen Marine was escorted from his hometown of Waterbury to the state's veteran cemetery in Middletown by a motorcade which included dozens of police officers and members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Lasale said, "He was a wonderful son, the best husband a wife can ask, a great father to his son Javier, a wonderful brother, nephew and grandson. We all love him so much; it will be very hard to continue without him, but he will live forever in our hearts and will always be part of our lives."