Fallen soldier who grew up in Long Beach remembered as a ‘happy,’ ‘dutiful’ son

The soldier killed in an apparent insider attack in southern Afghanistan over the weekend was a fun-loving soul who enjoyed spending time with his cousins in his hometown of Long Beach, his father said.

Army Cpl. Joseph Maciel, 20, will be buried at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes next week, Jose Leal said.

“He was a very happy soldier, citizen, and human,” Leal said Wednesday from Fort Benning, Georgia, where his son was stationed and where he will be remembered at a memorial service on Friday.

Maciel was assigned to 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

He was killed Saturday in an attack that wounded two other U.S. Service members in Tarin Kowt District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

Maciel was born at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach and grew up in the city until his parents separated when he was in middle school and he moved with his mother to South Gate, Leal said.

“He was a great child. Always smiling, always helping,” Leal said.

Maciel was the oldest of two children born to Leal and Angelina Maciel, he said. He also had four half-siblings.

Growing up, Maciel loved to play paintball and basketball with his cousins and go to the beach, Leal said.

He joined the Army after high school when he was 18. Leal said his decision to enlist didn’t surprise him because his son was always “dutiful.”

It made him proud to see his son finish training camp, Leal said.

“Out of 100 soldiers, only 40 left,” he said.

Fort Benning was Maciel’s first assignment and he had served in Afghanistan since February, according to Ft. Benning. His decorations included the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Leal said he has received an outpouring of support from other Army parents this week.

“I’m taking it a day at a time and it’s hard. Tomorrow is going to be the hardest,” he said.

Leal said he doesn’t blame anyone for his son’s death.

“That was his job and he loved it,” he said. “He enjoyed life.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.