Zeferino Eusebio “Cowboy” Colunga was born on June 8, 1983, in Emmett, Gem County, Idaho. He was the son of Juanita Colunga. He graduated from Bellville High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. He was assigned to Aviation Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he served as a Specialist and an Aircraft Systems Repair Technician. Described by his family as strong and in good health, Colunga deployed to Kuwait in late April 2003. Within a week of his arrival, he developed a high fever. At first, neither he nor his family suspected a serious illness, as he had received all required vaccinations and had no previous health issues.

On August 4, 2003, Colunga was medically evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Shortly after the airlift, he developed pneumonia, and as his condition worsened, he was further evacuated to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center in Germany and then transferred to Homburg University Hospital for continued treatment. He remained at Homburg until his death on August 6, 2003. Army physicians later determined that he was suffering from acute leukemia. He is now buried in the Oak Knoll Cemetery, Bellville, Austin County, Texas, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, memorial.2dcavalryassociation.com