DOB/DOD: December 12, 1987 (Arecibo, Puerto Rico) – December 8, 2009 (San Antonio, TX); 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Frances Figueroa (1988-) on May 29, 2007, in Waterbury, Connecticut.
CHILDREN: One son, Javier (2007-)
LOCAL ADDRESS: Hillside Avenue; Waterbury
ENLISTMENT: June 28, 2005 [17 years old]
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0341; Mortar Man
UNIT: F Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regional Combat Team-3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Base-Forward, 2nd Marine Division; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
FAMILY: Born to Daniel LaTorre Sr. (1958-) and Nicolasa Lasalle (1964-). One brother, Daniel Jr. (1986-). One sister, Nicole M. (1991-). His name is pronounced SAY-kob Lah-TOR-ay.
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device, Iraq Campaign Medal with two devices, Global War On Terrorism Medal (Service), and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two devices.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Corporal LaTorre died on December 8, 2009, in Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from wounds received by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on August 10, 2009, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
OTHER: Nicolasa Granados (mother): There are so many wonderful, positive memories about my son that I can’t decide which one to share. One thing is for sure, although his life was short, he has deeply touched many people during his short time with us. A memory of my son that I will never forget was one time when we all went together to eat at a local Mexican restaurant in Waterbury, CT. I can remember it as if it were now. (Lol.) As soon as we arrived at the restaurant and sat down at a table, Xhacob, who was only five years old at the time, started making jokes, making us all laugh. Next to us, there was a table with ten people. They listened to Xhacob’s jokes and laughed, too. The owner of the restaurant came to our table to see what was going on, and that’s when Xhacob looked at the owner and asked for a job. The owner looks at him and smiles, asking Xhacob, what kind of work could you do? Xhacob didn’t hesitate and responded by saying, “Oh, I can work as a comedian.” The owner looks at him like, “Are you sure?” Then, the owner made a proposal to Xhacob. He told Xhacob, “If you can make everyone at the next table laugh, I will think about getting you a job.” Of course, Xhacob, without feeling fear or hesitation, approached the next table and started making jokes, making everyone laugh out loud. Here comes the good part: a man who was sitting at the table told Xhacob,” For every joke you make that makes us laugh, I will give you a dollar for each of us.” Now, remember, there were ten people sitting at the table. What does that mean? Xhacob was able to earn ten dollars that night just for being a comedian. When Xhacob came to our table, the gentleman came with him and told us that we should bring Xhacob to New York for a stand-up comedy contest. He said Xhacob was very good at it. Xhacob was very happy with the great result. I had won ten dollars. I noticed Xhacob was looking around, so I asked him who or what he was looking for. He said, “Oh, I’m looking for the owner because I have a business proposal for him.” As soon as Xhacob saw the owner, he called him to our table. Then, Xhacob asks the owner, “Are you going to give me a job? I can be a very good comedian.” The owner looks at him, smiles, and asks Xhacob, “OK, how am I going to pay you if you’re just a kid?” Xhacob responds by saying, “Oh, no problem, sir, you can pay me back with food.” We all laugh. The owner told him, “You can come back when you are old enough to work, and in the meantime, I will think about it.” Xhacob got very excited because he thought he had a job waiting for him. Xhacob was very special. He had a touch that no matter how sad someone might be, he would find a way to make them smile or laugh somehow. When Xhacob was at BAMC in San Antonio, TX, after his legs were amputated, he was doing therapy. Suddenly, he started crying, and the nurses thought he was crying because of pain and said, ” We stop if it hurts so much?” Xhacob looked at her and said, “I’m not crying because I’m in pain. I’m crying because my brothers and sisters are dying abroad for us.” The nurse could not hold back her tears and cried along with him. He touched every person who works with him or who visits other patients on the same floor.
I want people to remember him as a beautiful person inside and out. Full of affection, passion, and love for others. Especially for those who had the great opportunity and were blessed to know him as a friend, brother, son, and father. Xhacob had a heart of gold. He was unique. He will be remembered forever.
From Carmen Lasalle (aunt): I was like a second mom to Xhacob. Two things that Xhacob was always: thanks Auntie so much for giving him the best holidays ever. Then we would hug. Then I planned his wedding. He had asked a month before if I could plan his wedding, and of course, I was not going to say no. So, my sister Jessica and I did all the planning. I thank God always for allowing me to be part of these special times with him. He was a very special young man and a blessing in our lives.
Crosby High School, Class of 2005
Marine Corporal Xhacob LaTorre, 21, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He died December 8, 2009, of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Xhacob LaTorre enjoyed making people happy. “You could be sad. You could be crying, but he would look for a way to make you laugh,” said his mother, Nicole LaSalle. The 21-year-old Marine corporal even joked around some in his hospital room after being severely wounded during combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in 2008. LaTorre, who was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, succumbed to his injuries in 2009. It was just four days before his 22nd birthday and one day after being awarded the Purple Heart. The Waterbury, Connecticut native joined the Marines three days after graduating from Crosby High School in 2005. He was deployed twice to Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan, where he sustained wounds so severe that his legs had to be amputated. LaTorre was married to his high school sweetheart, Frances LaTorre. They have a son, 1½-year-old Javier, whom family members say has a strong resemblance to his father. “To me, it’s like he never left,” said LaTorre’s brother, Danny LaTorre, also a Marine corporal. “Seeing his son is seeing him grow up all over again.”
From the Record-Journal (Meriden, CT) on September 27, 2015
By Bobby Martinez | (Waterbury) Republican-American
FALLEN MARINE TO RECEIVE TRIBUTE
WATERBURY (AP) — It’s been six years since Xhacob LaTorre was killed in a combat explosion in Afghanistan. After months of slipping in and out of a coma, LaTorre died on December 8, 2009, four days before his 22nd birthday. Later this month, LaTorre will be remembered at the 11th biennial Fallen Heroes Memorial Tribute at Indian Ledge Park in Trumbull. LaTorre graduated from Crosby High School in 2005 and was an active member of the school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Three days after graduation, he joined the Marines. LaTorre’s aunt, Carmen LaSalle of Waterbury, said her nephew is deeply missed, and she will never forget her memories of LaTorre. “He was a lovable, responsible, and caring young man,” LaSalle said. “He would do for others before he would do for himself. He was extremely family-oriented, and I can say he was the light of my eyes.” LaSalle recalled a time shortly before LaTorre returned to Afghanistan. LaTorre made a chilling prediction to Carmen. “The last time he came,” Carmen said, pausing. “He came to visit on May 10, 2009, which was the last time we saw him. He came and said his goodbyes before leaving. He had this feeling he wasn’t going to make it back. But he said it was his duty and it was what he had signed up for and knew the risk.” His wife and 6-year-old son live in Texas with LaTorre’s mother, Nicole LaSalle. In January 2010, LaTorre’s mother and his brother Danny spoke with The Associated Press. His mother said he was always positive and did everything he could to put a smile on someone’s face. “You could be sad. You could be crying,” Nicole LaSalle said. “But he would look for a way to make you laugh.” Danny, also a Marine, said, “To me, it’s like he never left. Seeing his son is seeing him grow up all over again.” LaTorre would have turned 29 on December 12. Mike Mastroni, president and founder of the Fallen Heroes Memorial, celebrates the work of fallen soldiers like LaTorre by honoring them in his biennial tribute, which is aimed to show respect and honor to the local soldiers who died in service. “To me, it is a great way to show respect to not only the families but also the soldiers who passed,” Mastroni said. Two other local fallen heroes who died in combat will be recognized: Private First Class Thomas E. Donovan of Norwich, who died March 23, 1968, and Lance Corporal Tyler O. Griffin of Voluntown, who died April 1, 2010. Also, six World War II combat heroes will be honored: Staff Sergeant Peter Butkevich, Staff Sergeant Dave Evans, Corporal Joseph Misinonile, Corporal Frank Pagliaro, Private First Class John Parlegreco, and Lieutenant Commander Chuck Standard.
In May 2010, Corporal Xhacob LaTorre was honored in his native country and hometown of Hatillo, Puerto Rico. His name was placed with honor on the “Monumento El Soldado Caido” (Monument to the Fallen Heroes). The monument is modeled after William Feliciano, who served in the 65th Infantry in Europe during World War II. Upon returning to Puerto Rico, he erected a monument to the fallen in the town of Lajas. The design of the monument was prepared by engineer Luis Rodríguez Detrés free of charge. It was agreed that the soldier would be placed at the top of the monument’s pedestal and would be its perpetual guardian. On February 7, 1955, the monument was unveiled in the Plaza de Recreo in Lajas with the participation of the entire town of Lajas. Upon unveiling it, it was handed over to American Legion Post No. 82 so that, in coordination with the Municipal Administration, whose Mayor that year was the Hon. Salvador Ramírez, they could be its custodians. In 1982, the monument was moved to Vivoni Park and remained there for 12 years. In 1994, the monument was moved to its original site in the Juan Ramírez Ortiz Recreation Plaza in Lajas.
Honored on the City of Waterbury (CT) Global War On Terrorism Memorial
Corporal Latorre is buried in Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, Connecticut; Section 78, Row A, Plot 1.
