Fort Sam Houston Soldier Dies During Exercise in Guatemala

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – An Army radio operator stationed here died in Guatemala April 22.

Specialist Hernaldo Beltran Jr., 24, assigned to the 56th Signal Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, died during an exercise called Beyond the Horizons in Guatemala. A large tree branch fell on a group of Soldiers working an engineer project in Los Limones, about 53 miles south of Guatemala City, the country’s capital city.

Three other Soldiers received non life-threatening injuries. All the Soldiers were evacuated to Mega Medica Hospital in Zacapa, Guatemala via UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, accompanied by a unit physician. 

“Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with Spc. Beltran’s family,” said Lt. Col. Nicole Morris, commander of the 56th Signal Battalion. “Our unit mourns the loss of Hernaldo. He was a tremendous Soldier and his commitment to our Army was unwavering. We’ve lost a member of our family and we’ll never forget him.”

Beltran, whose home of record is listed as El Paso, Texas, enlisted in the Army Dec. 29, 2009 and completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., in 2010. After basic combat training, he attended advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga.

In July 2010, Beltran arrived to his first duty station with the 56th Signal Bn. where he served as a radio operator.

Previously, Beltran deployed in support of Beyond the Horizon to Guatemala in 2012 and Panama in 2013.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated. 

Please direct all media queries to Army South Public Affairs at 210-295-6143, 210-295-6693, 210-295-6928, or after hours at 210-216-2497.