Born: April 17, 1987 Sergeant, United States Army National Guard
145TH SUPPORT BATTALION, 116TH CAVALRY HEAVY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD
Home or Place of Enlistment: Post Falls, Idaho Died: July 7, 2011 Buried: Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado
Killed in Action at Baghdad, Iraq while conducting combat operations in support of Operation New Dawn.
ARMY MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION
By Order of the Secretary of the Army, the Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to:
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS BATTALION, XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS AND ITS SUBORDINATE UNITS
CITATION: For exceptionally meritorious service. During the period 8 February 2011 to 25 November 2011, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps and its subordinate units displayed exceptionally meritorious service, courage, determination and extraordinary esprit de corps assigned as Task Force Dragon in support operations during Operation New Dawn. Task Force Dragon constantly displayed the ability to operate over several lines of operations while simultaneously taking the fight to a determined, unconventional enemy, resulting in a safer and more secure operational environment for both United States Forces and the citizens of Iraq. The unit worked long hours providing support to United States Forces-Iraq, serving as both the strategic and operational commands in the Iraq Joint Operations Area in order to set the conditions for an enduring strategic partnership with a sovereign, stable, self-reliant and unified Iraq. The actions of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps and its subordinate units are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service in combat and reflect distinct credit upon Task Force Dragon, XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Forces-Iraq and the United States Army.