Marine Corporal Xhacob LaTorre, 21, of Waterbury, Connecticut, is remembered as a devoted father, husband, and Marine, whose life is marked by unwavering bravery and boundless kindness. Born on December 12, 1987, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Xhacob is the son of Nicolasa “Nicole” LaSalle and Daniel LaTorre Sr. After moving to Waterbury, he attended Crosby High School, where he joined the ROTC program and distinguished himself as a leader. Three days after graduating in 2005, Xhacob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, embodying the spirit of service and dedication that would define his life.
Xhacob was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and served as a mortar man in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. His first deployment took him to Ramadi, Iraq, in July 2006, followed by a second tour from October 2007 to May 2008. On May 18, 2009, Xhacob deployed to Afghanistan, where he would face his final challenge in Helmand province. On August 10, 2009, while supporting combat operations, he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device, leading to the amputation of both legs. Despite his injuries, Xhacob remained resilient and kept his positive spirit alive, even joking with family in the hospital.
Cpl. LaTorre passed away on December 8, 2009, at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, just days before his 22nd birthday. His passing came a day after he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifices. “He was a fun-loving person who put others before himself,” said his aunt, Carmen LaSalle. “Every person that he touched was special to him.”
Xhacob’s legacy is reflected in the love he had for his family and his commitment to his country. He is survived by his wife, Frances, and their young son, Javier, who “is a spitting image of his father,” as Frances described. Xhacob’s brother, Cpl. Daniel LaSalle LaTorre, himself a Marine, shared, “To me, it’s like he never left. Seeing his son is seeing him grow up all over again.”
The community of Waterbury, where Xhacob had deep roots, mourns the loss of their hero. Mayor Michael Jarjura expressed, “The city of Waterbury will rally in support of the family and for his dedicated service.” The flag at City Hall flew at half-staff, a mark of respect for a young man who had given his all.
A funeral service was held at Chase Parkway Memorial in Waterbury, with full military honors following at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Friends, family, and fellow Marines came to pay tribute to a man who had touched so many lives with his laughter and courage. “He made the ultimate sacrifice,” said a fellow Marine, “and we’ll always honor and treasure that.”
Marine Cpl. Xhacob LaTorre is remembered not just for his heroism, but for his compassion, laughter, and the love he shared with his family. His spirit lives on in his son, in the hearts of those who knew him, and in the legacy of service he left behind.
