SSG Paul C. Mardis, Jr.

15 July 2004, Iraq

Special Forces

A Florida native, Staff Sergeant Paul C. Mardis, Jr. died on 15 July 2004 from wounds received by an improvised explosive device on 20 May 2004 near Mosul, Iraq.

Mardis enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in September 1998. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and joined the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In late 2002 he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

SSG Mardis was serving as an Engineer Sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group at the time of his death. He deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.