Sgt. Alessandro Leonard Plutino “Sandrino”, 28, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Paktiya Province, Afghanistan. Plutino was a Team Leader assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was on his sixth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.

He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral two.

As a Ranger, Plutino selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier direct action raid force, continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.

Plutino is survived by his mother Dianne Hammond; Father Sandro Plutino; sister Brenna Rae Plutino Jensen, brother-in-law Bryan Jensen, niece Bella, nephew Brayden; and fiancé Natalie Layton.

Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund honored his family at our annual Gold Star Memorial Event by presenting a hand painted portrait of Sandrino commissioned by the American Fallen Soldier’s Project.  We continue to keep in regular contact with mom Dianne, who generously gives back to Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund through her own fundraising efforts to honor Sandrino.