Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell | The traditional memorial of boots, rifle, helmet and dog tags stands in honor of Sgt....... read more read more
BAGHDAD - Sgt. 1st Class Edward Kramer, Sgt. Juan Baldeosingh, Sgt. Roger Adams Jr. and Spc. Robert Bittiker were honored, remembered and mourned during a memorial service held at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, July 5.
The four, all of Company A, 120th Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, were killed when their Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad, June 29.
"They were known for always being ready to go, first on the line," said Lt. Col. Jack Mellott, commander for 120th CAB when he addressed the Soldiers attending the service, "They had no fear about the mission."
Kramer, 39, a father of two from Wilmington, N.C., was serving on his second deployment with the battalion. He began his military career when he was 18 in the Marine Corps.
Baldeosingh, 30, a father of three from Havelock, joined the National Guard on June 26, 2008, after leaving the Marine Corps in 2006.
Adams, 34, a father of four from Jacksonville, N.C., also was a former Marine and was relatively new to the National Guard.
Bittiker, 40, a father of two from Jacksonville, was on his third deployment with the battalion, the first being to Bosnia in 2000.
"When the history of the war in Iraq is complete, it will likely not mention most of the men who fought and died here," said Mellott, "That is our job, to keep their memory alive and honor their sacrifice."
Kramer was remembered as being a dedicated Soldier. "He was the guy you wanted as your platoon sergeant," said Mellott.
Sgt. Baldeosingh, known as "Sgt. B," will be remembered for his personable nature.
"Many Soldiers in the battalion talk of the lasting relationship they formed with him after only a few weeks," said Mellott.
Adams was remembered for his humor and his military experience, even though he was new to the unit.
"He was an experienced combat veteran," said Mellott, "His humor often lightened the mood, allowed friendships to be made, and the mission to be accomplished."
Bittiker, a member of Co. A for 19 years, was remembered for his driven purpose. "Whenever someone was needed for a tough task, Robert was there," said Mellott.
All four were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart Medals. Baldeosingh and Adams were also awarded their Combat Infantryman Badges. Bittiker and Kramer had previously earned their badges.
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2009 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 36115 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 293 |
| Downloads: | 217 |
This work, Four 120th Combined Arms Battalion Soldiers honored for their service, by SFC Mary Junell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
