US Mountain Ranger Association

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Andrew Katzenberger, 26, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

Katzenberger was a squad leader assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was on his eighth deployment in support of the War on Terror with four previous deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan.

He was born Nov. 2, 1984 in Kansas City, Mo. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 2004 from his hometown of Weatherby Lake, Mo.

Katzenberger completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning.

Katzenberger graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was then assigned to B Co., 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Reg. in April 2005, where he served as a rifleman. automatic rifleman, team leader and Ranger squad leader.

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Warrior Leader Course, and U.S. Army Jumpmaster School.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Air Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, four Iraq Campaign medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Katzenberger is survived by his wife Colleen A. (Montgomery) and his son Everett James, both Richmond Hill, Ga.. and his parents Robert and Peggy Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake, Mo.

As a Ranger, Jeremy Andrew Katzenberger selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army's premier direct action raid force, continuously deployed in support of the War on Terror, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great nation.