thedrifter
04-19-07, 08:57 AM
Hamilton High graduate critically wounded in Iraq
By GREG WELTER - Staff Writer
Chico Enterprise-Record
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CAPAY — A Marine who graduated from Hamilton High in 2005 was critically injured in Iraq April 12, while on patrol near Fallujah, in Anbar province.
Officials said Pfc. Arturo E. Weber, formerly of Capay, was hit by hostile small-arms fire as he took a position near an armored Humvee.
Weber, an infantryman with the 1st Marine Division, was wearing bullet- resistant protection for his groin and chest, but rounds struck him in the abdomen.
He was also shot in the hand.
Two unidentified Marines pulled Weber from the battle zone and placed him on a helicopter. He was treated at a field hospital, then transported to Baghdad, where he was stabilized for a flight to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
From there he was flown to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
He arrived there on Sunday, his 20th birthday.
Weber and three other Marines were wounded in the firefight, which took place at about 7 p.m., Iraq time.
Weber's godfather, John Carillo, said the young man has already undergone surgeries, and more are scheduled for wounds to his abdomen.
He said Weber was listed in critical condition and on life support in an intensive care unit at Bethesda on Wednesday.
Carillo, of Chico, and Weber's father, James Weber, of Capay, were with the wounded Marine earlier this week at Bethesda. Weber's mother, Theresa Weber, is still there.
Carillo said he was unable to learn the fate of the three Marines hurt in the same firefight, or the names of the Marines who pulled his godson from the field.
"We believe he's getting the best care possible," Carillo said. "The family is hoping everyone who knows him will pray for his recovery."
Weber was a standout football player at Hamilton High and a member of the academic decathlon team.
"He was a good student and a fine young man," said principal Ray Odom.
"He was very mature for his age," Odom said.
The principal recalled that Weber was intent on joining the Marines, which he did in July 2005. "He came back and visited the campus after basic training," Odom said. "He was obviously very proud to be a Marine."
"All he ever talked about was being a Marine," said former teammate and fellow Hamilton High graduate Joey Arrigoni.
He said Weber, a lineman on the team, played hard and got the job done.
"He was always real positive, and always had something to say," Arrigoni said.
The Pentagon reports that nearly 25,000 U.S. troops have been wounded in Iraq.
Staff writer Greg Welter can be reached at 896-7768 or gwelter@chicoer.com
Ellie
By GREG WELTER - Staff Writer
Chico Enterprise-Record
Article Launched:
CAPAY — A Marine who graduated from Hamilton High in 2005 was critically injured in Iraq April 12, while on patrol near Fallujah, in Anbar province.
Officials said Pfc. Arturo E. Weber, formerly of Capay, was hit by hostile small-arms fire as he took a position near an armored Humvee.
Weber, an infantryman with the 1st Marine Division, was wearing bullet- resistant protection for his groin and chest, but rounds struck him in the abdomen.
He was also shot in the hand.
Two unidentified Marines pulled Weber from the battle zone and placed him on a helicopter. He was treated at a field hospital, then transported to Baghdad, where he was stabilized for a flight to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
From there he was flown to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
He arrived there on Sunday, his 20th birthday.
Weber and three other Marines were wounded in the firefight, which took place at about 7 p.m., Iraq time.
Weber's godfather, John Carillo, said the young man has already undergone surgeries, and more are scheduled for wounds to his abdomen.
He said Weber was listed in critical condition and on life support in an intensive care unit at Bethesda on Wednesday.
Carillo, of Chico, and Weber's father, James Weber, of Capay, were with the wounded Marine earlier this week at Bethesda. Weber's mother, Theresa Weber, is still there.
Carillo said he was unable to learn the fate of the three Marines hurt in the same firefight, or the names of the Marines who pulled his godson from the field.
"We believe he's getting the best care possible," Carillo said. "The family is hoping everyone who knows him will pray for his recovery."
Weber was a standout football player at Hamilton High and a member of the academic decathlon team.
"He was a good student and a fine young man," said principal Ray Odom.
"He was very mature for his age," Odom said.
The principal recalled that Weber was intent on joining the Marines, which he did in July 2005. "He came back and visited the campus after basic training," Odom said. "He was obviously very proud to be a Marine."
"All he ever talked about was being a Marine," said former teammate and fellow Hamilton High graduate Joey Arrigoni.
He said Weber, a lineman on the team, played hard and got the job done.
"He was always real positive, and always had something to say," Arrigoni said.
The Pentagon reports that nearly 25,000 U.S. troops have been wounded in Iraq.
Staff writer Greg Welter can be reached at 896-7768 or gwelter@chicoer.com
Ellie