SFC Obediah J. Kolath

28 August 2005, Iraq

USASOC

A native of Jefferson City, Missouri, Sergeant First Class Obediah J. Kolath died 28 August 2005, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while his unit was conducting combat operations in Husaybah, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Kolath enlisted in the Army as a Fire Support Specialist in March 1992. After completing his Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was assigned to the 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Baumholder, Germany.

SFC Kolath graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was assigned as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Washington. He was selected as a Special Operations Team member and assigned to United States Army Special Operations Command where he served at the time of his death.