| Kevin Pape |
|---|
 |
Staff Sgt. Kevin Matthew Pape, 30, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting operations in Konar Province, Afghanistan on November 16, 2010. Pape was a squad leader assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was on his sixth deployment in support of the Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. Pape was born Feb. 5, 1980 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2005 from his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort benning, Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning. Pape graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was then assigned to C Co,. 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Reg. in April 2006, where he served as a machine gunner, team leader and squad leader. His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course, Warrior Leader Course and the Advanced Leader Course. His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Iraq Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. Pape is survived by his wife Amelia Rose Pape, his daughter Anneka Sue, both Savannah, Ga., and his father Marc Dennis Pape of Fort Wayne. As a Ranger, Paper selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army's premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation. Respectfully submitted: |
