Behold Sgt. Tyler A. Juden, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Sgt. Juden died from injuries sustained during an ambush on a convoy of both Afghan National Army and International Security Assistance Forces providing security for the World Food Organization in Farah, Afghanistan. The convoy, including 14 contracted trucks carrying 500 metric tons, was targeted by roadside bombs and mortar fire on Saturday.
In other words, the 23-year-old from Arkansas City, Kansas died on a mission to win Afghan hearts and minds.
Lily pads are better in every way.
Read about the accomplishments this excellent young soldier already had to his name here, which include the following medals:
the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge.
As the mother of two young men in our military who sent this story in to me astutely notes:
I always cringe when the administration keeps saying it is not a "Global War on Terror," because this soldier earned and is listed [as earning], and my sons earned, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR SERVICE MEDAL. They can say they are not using the words, but the same words are in each death notice, and the medal is still issued because the CAMPAIGN has not ended.
She continues:
So, it makes no sense to HAVE A CAMPAIGN CONTINUE CALLED GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR and say you are not going to use the words! If the president wants to end the campaign and start a new one with a different name, he can do that, but to my knowledge, the campaign called the GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR is still on, and the medals still being issued.This soldier just looks like he was a great young man, so brave....
I wonder when they will decide to issue a Hearts and Minds Medal.