Soldier from LV dies in Iraq

A soldier from Las Vegas died Thursday in Taji, Iraq, of a non-combat related incident, Department of Defense officials said in a statement.

An Army official told the family that 19-year-old Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that the circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

The statement posted Monday on the Pentagon’s Web site said Virgadamo was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday at Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., following visitation that begins at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow the service at 1:20 p.m. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

Born Aug. 17, 1988, in Victorville, Calif., he had lived in Nevada for 11 years.

He is the 54th U.S. military personnel with ties to Nevada to have died while serving in the nation’s wars overseas since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

He is survived by his father, Robert M. Virgadamo and step-mother, Maryjean Virgadamo, of the Philippines; his mother, Jackie Juliano of Pahrump; sisters, Katie Juliano of Pahrump, and Nicole Virgadamo of the Philippines; grandparents, Katie and Bill O’Brien of Pahrump; and aunt and uncle Ann and John Glover, of Minden.

The family prefers donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans.