DOB/DOD: October 16, 1990 (Bridgeport, CT) – June 14, 2011; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Soundview Drive; Woodbridge
ENLISTMENT: May 10, 2010
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 13F10; Fire Support Specialist
UNIT: Battery B, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; Fort Carson, Colorado
FAMILY: Born to Michael J. (1956-) and Donna Johnson Soufrine (1957-). One brother, Joshua D. (1982-). One sister, Rebecca L. [U.S. Army veteran] (1985-).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Medal – Afghanistan, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Combat Action Badge.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Private First Class Soufrine was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a river crossing in the Shewan Garrison Village, Afghanistan.
Graduated from Amity Regional High School, Class of 2009.
From Gazette.com on July 13, 2011
By Tom Roeder
1st BCT’s last casualty in war tour remembered as ‘gentle giant’
Private First Class Eric D. Soufrine was so close to home.
The soldier in Fort Carson’s 1st Brigade Combat Team was on a mission to train troops who were taking over his platoon’s job — scheduled to be one of his final missions after six months in Afghanistan.
Family members were looking forward to his coming home in two short weeks. His whole unit was dreaming about the embraces they’d receive in Colorado Springs.
“The loss of Private First Class Soufrine has had a devastating effect on our formation,” his battalion commander, an emotional Lieutenant Colonel Craig Berryman, told a crowd of mourners in the pews of Soldiers Memorial Chapel on the post Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Connecticut native died June 14 in Farah province when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. His death was the 14th and final loss for the 1st Brigade, which brought the last of its 3,800 soldiers home over the weekend.
“It was a tragic loss,” said Sergeant Jacob Kape, who was Soufrine’s boss for a two-month stretch.
At 6-foot-5, Soufrine was a towering young man whose presence was hard to ignore. He joined the Army in May 2010 and trained as a forward artillery observer.
He got to Fort Carson in October and went through a quick training program before flying to Afghanistan, where the soldiers in his new unit were fighting as infantry in a desert-like stretch of western Afghanistan near the Iranian border.
There, he and his comrades, separated from the rest of their Kandahar-based brigade, patrolled alongside Afghan, Italian, and Spanish troops.
Berryman said insurgents were scarce in the agricultural region. But bombings were always a threat.
In camp, Soufrine didn’t seem worried about the threats. He was learning fast and fitting in faster.
He became known as a competent machine gunner and a better wide receiver in pick-up football games on the compound.
“He was a beast,” Kape said after the service.
Family members knew him as a gentle giant, said Captain Joseph Moffitt, a chaplain who presided over the service. He was the big guy who volunteered in nursing homes, Moffitt said.
In Afghanistan, Soufrine picked up the nickname “Surefire” after the band of flashlights GIs have attached to their rifles and a play on the new guy’s last name.
Soufrine was a gunner seated in the turret atop an armored truck on his last convoy, which was returning to base, Berryman said after the service.
The bombers just got lucky.
Kape said the pain is still raw.
“We were so close to home.”
From the New Haven Register on June 18, 2011
Eric Daniel Soufrine, beloved son of Michael J. Soufrine and Donna Johnson Soufrine of Woodbridge. Brother of Joshua (Jessica) Soufrine of Johns Creek, GA, and Army (SPC) Rebecca Soufrine of Woodbridge, currently stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Beloved grandson of Bettyanne and Sanford Soufrine of Woodbridge and the late Edward and Nan Johnson of Hamden. Eric will be deeply missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, “Army brothers,” his girlfriend Paige Woodward, and his faithful and loving dog, Emma. Eric was born on October 16, 1990, and was a graduate of Amity Regional High School, class of 2009. Eric proudly and honorably joined the Army in May 2010 and graduated from Army basic training in July 2010. Eric then attended advanced individual training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and graduated as a Fire Support Specialist in September 2010. Eric was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, previous to his deployment to Afghanistan, where he joined his unit 4-42 FA in December 2010. Eric was awarded a promotion to Private 1st Class during his deployment, and on May 28th, 2011, Eric received an award for Soldier of the Month. He also received the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). Eric’s family has a history of serving the USA through military service. Both of his grandfather’s proudly served in the USMC, as well as many uncles and cousins. He also has a cousin currently serving in the Army. Eric was a true outdoorsman; he loved boating, water skiing, and hunting. Eric was a long-time member of the Hamden Fish & Game Club, where he shot skeet with his father in a league for many years. Funeral Services at Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden, Sunday morning at 11:00 o’clock, with Interment Services to follow at Mishkan Israel Cemetery, Jewell Street, New Haven. Visitation with family will commence at 10:00 o’clock. A Period of Mourning will be observed at the home of Michael & Donna Soufrine on Sunday following the service through 5 p.m. and Monday from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., & Tuesday from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
From KRDO.com on May 24, 2012
A special ceremony on Thursday morning to honor soldiers who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the global war on terrorism. Outside Gate One at Fort Carson, off Highway 115, there are nine stone tablets to honor these soldiers. This new group means the total of Fort Carson heroes is 366 on the memorial stones.
Friends, family, and fellow soldiers gathered to pay their respects to this group. Here is the list of men who were honored today. They include Staff Sergeant Lex Lee Lewis, Master Sergeant Charles Levan Price, The Third, Captain Drew E. Russell, Captain Joshua S. Lawrence, Specialist Christopher L. Mendonca, Staff Sergeant Allen R. McKenna, Jr., Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Brown, Private First Class Eric D. Soufrine, and Sergeant Ken K. Hermogino.
The family didn’t want to talk because they were still grieving their loved ones. Two Fort Carson soldiers did talk with me about their friends, mentors, and fellow comrades in arms.
Captain Andrew Cairns wanted you to know more about his friend and roommate, Captain Drew Edward Russell. He said, “Drew was always playing with GI Joes while he was growing up. He always dreamed of being an Army man, joining the Army, being an Army officer, and leading soldiers in combat.” Cairns said, “Drew’s sense of humor was priceless. He could provide levity during some pretty stressful situations.”
Staff Sergeant John Hammill wanted you to know more about his former platoon leader and mentor, Master Sergeant Charles Levan Price, III. He said, “Charles would do anything for his soldiers, on duty and off duty.” Hammill added, “In our line of work, in combat, we don’t know if we’re coming back day to day. We think about who we’re doing it for and why we’re doing it. A soldier goes out every morning doing it for his family, for his soldiers, and to make sure his soldiers come back. If he has to give up his life to do it, he’ll do it.”
Memorialized on Route 63 from the intersection of Burnt Swamp Road north to Route 67 in Woodbridge, Connecticut.
Memorialized at Woodbridge Town Hall, 11 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, Connecticut.
From Legacy.com
My husband, PFC Justin Quinton, and I had the honor of knowing PFC Soufrine here at Fort Carson. There are no words that can express the heartbreak of losing such an amazing person. Eric was the best at everything he did. He loved what he did and held himself in such a respectful and honorable manner. Every time we look at the flag, we will think of him, his bravery, and his selfless love for the country. He is a true American hero. And we all are mourning the loss of a great friend and fellow brother. Your family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
— Nicole Quinton
Private First Class Soufrine is buried in Congregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery, 701 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut; Plot CW12.
