Body of Turlock soldier arrives in U.S.

DOVER, Del. -- The body of Army Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez of Turlock was a step closer to home Monday, arriving at Dover Air Force Base, Del., where an Army team was waiting to receive his casket.

Pleitez, 25, died Friday in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.

A member of the National Guard since 2006, Pleitez was a medic assigned to the 1072nd Transportation Company, 746th Combat Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade in Van Nuys.

Pleitez is the 33rd military member from the Northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills to die in Iraq or Afghanistan.