SSG Gary R. Harper, Jr.

9 October 2005, Iraq

Special Forces

A native of Virden, Illinois, Staff Sergeant Gary R. Harper, Jr. died 9 October 2005, of wounds sustained when his unit was ambushed near Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Harper enlisted in the Army as an Artilleryman in May 1993 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill.

SSG Harper graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and was assigned as a Medical Sergeant to 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served until his death.