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Task Force 2-1 Remembers Fallen Combat Medic

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone | Capt. Allen Harris delivers a tribute during Cpl. Jeremy Loveless' memorial 3 June, 2006... read more read more

MOSUL, IRAQ

06.05.2006

Courtesy Story

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MOSUL, Iraq (June 3, 2006) -- In the Community Affairs Center at Forward Operating Base Marez's, Mosul, Iraq, Soldiers of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat team, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Medical Platoon, and civilians gathered to pay their last respects to Cpl. Jeremy M. Loveless, combat medic, HHC Med. Plt.

"We all claimed Jeremy as our Doc," said Lt. Col. Charles Webster, commander, Task Force 2-1. "The loss of a medic is not supposed to happen. "Medics save lives

Loveless enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 28, 2004 and completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Okla. He completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he received his military occupational skill as a combat medic.

On July 28, 2005, Loveless arrived at Fort Wainwright, Alaska being assigned to 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt's., Medical Platoon.

"He came to us with a big smile, a goofy laugh and a desire to do his jobs the best he could," said Staff Sgt. Michael Walker, platoon sergeant, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., HHC Med. Plt. "We saw the potential in Loveless, so we sent him to Fort Lewis, Wash. to attend the Live Tissue Tactical Combat Casualty Course. When he returned, he could not stop talking about all the things that he had learned."

In August, 2005, Loveless deployed to Mosul as a combat medic assigned to the battalion aid-station in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"To all of us medics who had been there a while, he was the new guy," said fellow combat medic, Spc. Kyle Jordan, combat medic, HHC Med. Plt. "And yet, in many ways, I envied him. His enthusiasm and competence are at a level that mine never will be."

Loveless served throughout the battalion supporting combat platoon missions while the organic medics were on leave. He was also involved in the medical treatment of numerous coalition Soldiers, Iraqi Security Forces, Iraqi civilians and detainees.

"He never thought that what he did for us was that great of a thing," said Pfc. Brian Manscill, 4th Plt., Co. A, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt. "He only thought he was doing his job, but to me he was doing more than just his job. He would reach out to people to be their friend. And he was my friend."

Capt. (Chaplain) Steve Dunn, 172nd SBCT closed the commanders and Soldiers tribute portion of the memorial.

"I was asked should we have so many speakers and my response was something like this," said Dunn. "Well sir we have a unique situation. We have a Soldier who belonged to two units, HHC medical platoon and company A. However, what I wanted to say was something along these lines. It is a testament to this young Soldier's character and the quality of the man that has so many desiring to speak on his behalf. We had to turn away folks that wanted to speak about him, and pay their respects to honor him and his memory. What kind of man could evoke such loyalty and love?"

"I have a great deal of respect for all infantrymen, in fact, I have a great deal of respect for all Soldiers," said Capt. Matthew McQuilton, commander, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., HHC Med. Plt. "However, I feel the noblest of all are the combat medics, the ones who risk their lives daily in the selfless pursuit of saving others."

"Before he received his fatal wound, he was calling out vehicles to his platoon sergeant that appeared suspicious," said Capt. Allen Harris, commander, Co. A, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt.. "His last thoughts were not of himself or the danger of being an air guard, but of his duties as a Warrior and of the Soldiers in his care."

Loveless is survived by his wife Melissa and daughter Chloe.

His Army awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Medical Badge.