The U.S. military community is mourning the tragic loss of 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano, a 25-year-old UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot who was found dead in Honduras on Saturday, May 3. U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo) confirmed the news Sunday evening in a statement expressing deep sorrow over the young soldier’s untimely passing.

Parisano, a native of Cibolo, Texas, was stationed at Soto Cano Air Base in Comayagua, Honduras, where he served with distinction in the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment.

His role as a helicopter pilot placed him at the heart of JTF-Bravo’s critical mission across Central and South America.

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The base serves as the primary hub for the U.S. military’s expeditionary operations in the region.

According to Honduran media and police sources, Parisano’s body was discovered near the Chiquito River area in Comayagua after he was reported missing.

A search operation lasting several hours led authorities to the recovery of a damaged mobile phone believed to belong to him.

The U.S. military has stated that Parisano was off base on a liberty pass when the incident occurred.

An official investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing.

No details have been released regarding potential foul play or the condition in which his body was found.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts; we acknowledge the passing of Lieutenant Marciano Parisano,” said Army Col. Daniel Alder, commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo, in a public statement on Sunday night.

“He served our unit and mission here at Soto Cano Air Base with dignity, pride and courage.”

As a Black Hawk pilot, Parisano played a vital role in a unit known for supporting a range of missions throughout the region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and regional security cooperation.

The 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment routinely works in partnership with Central American nations, providing logistical and medical support where needed.

“As a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot with the 228 Aviation Regiment, his contribution to our team is immeasurable,” Alder’s statement continued. “He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him and serve with him.”

News of Parisano’s death has resonated across both military and local communities.

In Cibolo, Texas, friends and former classmates remembered him as a driven and compassionate young man who had always dreamed of serving his country.

Social media tributes poured in following the announcement, with many expressing heartbreak and pride in his service.

The Army has not released additional details about funeral arrangements, but officials indicated that all appropriate honors would be rendered.

Meanwhile, military chaplains and support personnel are providing counseling and assistance to fellow service members at Soto Cano and to Parisano’s family in the United States.

“The command team extends our deepest condolences to 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano’s family, friends and loved ones,” Alder said. “We stand with you in this time of grief. One soldier lost is one too many.”

Joint Task Force-Bravo, headquartered at Soto Cano since the 1980s, has long been a key player in the Pentagon’s engagement in Latin America.

With its diverse set of airlift, medical, and engineering capabilities, the task force frequently assists partner nations in emergencies ranging from hurricanes to medical outreach.

Parisano’s role within this framework was not only operationally critical but personally valued by those who served beside him.

Though the investigation may take time to reach a conclusive outcome, the legacy of 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano remains clear. He was a soldier who answered his country’s call with integrity and valor, and his passing leaves a void felt deeply across the ranks.

As the military and his family await more information, Parisano’s memory will be honored not only through the service he rendered but by the example he set as a young officer committed to duty, service, and sacrifice.