TAMPA, Fla. — Nearly three weeks after Army Specialist Jaylin Perez from Largo died in Germany, his “dignified transfer” happened Monday night at Tampa International Airport.
The 32-year-old suffered severe burns as he inspected military equipment on a railway near Berlin while serving his country.
Spc. Perez grew up in a military family, went to Clearwater High School and Florida Career College and joined the Army in 2023.
Perez was deployed from the 200th Military Police Command and was deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
On July 8, he was found unresponsive by members of his unit while conducting a cargo security inspection of U.S. military equipment.
10 Tampa Bay was invited on the tarmac as his casket was taken off a United passenger plane by members of the military, with family and friends gathering around, shedding tears.
It was somber for passengers too, as landing planes stopped, turned off engines, and waited out of respect before arriving at their gate.
“The airplane just stopped and [the captain] told us we would stay there,” said Judith Black DiFazio, who, coincidentally, was traveling back from Germany. “Nobody asked how long. Everybody was quiet. You could’ve heard a pin drop. It was so respectful.”
Perez was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his dedication to duty and service.
If you would like to pay your respects, funeral services are Saturday at 10 a.m. at Anona United Methodist Church in Largo.
U.S. military and German authorities continue to investigate his death. Spc. Perez leaves behind a wife and a daughter.
