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Nicholas P Brown |
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Huber Heights, Ohio |
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January 22, 2007 |
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Killed in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. |
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| Spc. Nicholas P. Brown Obituary Nicholas P. Brown was recently on a brief leave in order to see his wife, Sara, and newborn son, Nicholas Paul Brown II, born Jan. 14, 2007 _ eight days before his father died. "It was a blessing that he was able to briefly see his newborn son Nicholas, before returning to Iraq," said Brown's family. "Sara will treasure forever those moments together." Brown, 24, of Huber Heights, Ohio, was killed Jan. 22 in Mosul when his vehicle struck an explosive. He was assigned to Fort Bliss. "Nick was very proud to serve his country," his family said. "He enjoyed playing pool, being with friends and taking care of his family." Crystal Reid, a friend, remembered how happy and nervous Brown and his fiancee were on the day of their wedding. Then came word of a son. "I have never seen such a good father in the few days that you were in his life," she wrote on an online bulletin board. "I knew you hated to leave your son at home but you knew what you had to do for your family and country." Said Brig. Gen. Richard Ellis: "When Nicholas came back from leave, he showed me pictures of his new son, and his eyes would well up with tears." Published online on Jan. 24, 2007 |
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| Friday, January 26, 2007: A Vandalia-Butler High School graduate was killed Monday in Mosul, Iraq, eight days after becoming a father, the Department of Defense confirmed Thursday. Army Specialist Nicholas P. Brown, 24, died after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Brown is survived by his wife, Sara, 21, of Dayton and their son, Nicholas Brown II, born January 14, 2007. Sara moved from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Dayton during her pregnancy to be closer to family while her husband was deployed, the family said. Days before his death, Brown came home to Dayton from Iraq to see his son. "It was a blessing that he was able to briefly see his newborn son Nicholas before returning to Iraq" last week, Brown's family said in a prepared statement. "Sara will treasure forever those moments together." The infantryman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Bliss, according to the Defense Department. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. "Nick was very proud to serve his country," his family said. "He enjoyed playing pool, being with friends and taking care of his family." Brown joined the Army Reserves in 2001 before switching to active duty in November 2004, according to his family. He deployed to Iraq in late October, said Jean Offutt, public affairs officer at Fort Bliss. Deployments usually last one year, she said. "We appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers, and support, but ask that you allow us this time to grieve in private," the family said. Brown is the second soldier with Miami Valley ties killed in the past week in Iraq. Colonel Paul Kelly, 45, a University of Dayton and Carroll High School graduate, was among 12 U.S. troops killed Saturday in Baghdad when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed. Kelly, one of the most senior Army officials to die in Iraq, lived in Stafford, Virginia, with his wife, Maria, and sons Paul David, 9, and John Joseph, 5. Kelly is to be buried Thursday in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery, according to his sister-in-law, Peggy Kelly, one of several family members who live in Beavercreek — including Kelly's parents, John and Mary Rose Kelly. A scholarship fund for Kelly's sons is being set up through St. William of York Catholic School in Stafford. UD is planning a memorial service, time and place to be announced. |
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| Soldiers with Texas ties killed in Iraq The Associated Press RAYMONDVILLE, Texas — A 27-year-old soldier from South Texas and an Ohio soldier from Fort Bliss have been killed in Iraq, the Department of Defense said Jan. 25. Staff Sgt. Hector Leija, who grew up in Raymondville, died Jan. 24 from wounds he sustained during combat operations in Baghdad, the military said. Leija was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Wash. Spc. Nicholas P. Brown, 24, of Huber Heights, Ohio, was killed Jan. 22 when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle in Mosul, the military said. Brown was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He is the seventh soldier from the 4th Brigade Combat Team to be killed since the team deployed to Iraq in late October. Leija was a 1997 graduate of Raymondville High School, where he was a member of National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America and the Bible Club. He joined the Army about eight years ago, his family said. The military listed his home as Houston. “It doesn’t hit you hard till it’s at home, and basically when you turn on the television and see one of your own kids is gone,” Raymondville teacher Richard Garcia told Harlingen, Texas, television station KRGV. “It’s just real hard for you to accept.” Flags at the school were at half staff Jan. 25 as students and staff mourned Leija’s death. “It’s sad, and the staff is feeling it,” Principal Gilbert Galvan told Harlingen television station KGBT. |
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| 3 February 2007: There were two Nicholas Browns honored Saturday morning at the United Methodist Church. The funeral was for Army Cpl. Nicholas Paul Brown, 24, a former Vandalia Butler student who was killed in Mosul, Iraq, on January 22, 2007. But much was also said about his son, Nicholas Paul Brown II, born eight days before his father died. "We're videotaping this for you, little Nicholas, to show you when you're older," said the Rev. Jeff Burdsall, addressing both the camera and the infant in the arms of widow, Sara Brown. Corporal Brown had visited his wife and new son just days before he died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. "When Nicholas came back from leave, he showed me pictures of his new son, and his eyes would well up with tears," said Brig. Gen. Richard Ellis. Ellis was at the part-civilian, part-military funeral Saturday to present Sara, 21, and Brown's parents, and two brothers — one a twin — with folded American flags and shadowboxes containing his awards and honors. Brown was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously. Brown was driving the lead vehicle of a convoy headed into a bad neighborhood, "in the most dangerous spot a soldier could be," Ellis said. For that reason, his Army brothers "gave him the supreme compliment. They called him 'warrior,' " Ellis said. The title is used within the Army to show respect for good fighters who also demonstrate a strongly moral, human side. While Ellis' address to the gathering refrained from the political, Burdsall attempted to justify Brown's death for those who questioned its purpose. "Unfortunately this is one more sad gathering that has taken place across the nation during this war," Burdsall said. "But the purpose of this war, whether you agree with its politics or not, has been to prevent attacks on our soil. Nicholas' sacrifice served this purpose." After the service, area residents braved icy winds to wave flags along the mile-long drive down Main Street toward the New Carlisle Cemetery. There, Brown's body was placed near a headstone bearing his name for a service of full military honors, including a 21-gun salute. Another memorial service will be held February 21, 2007. at Fort Bliss, Texas, for Brown and four other soldiers, age 21 to 29, who were killed January 15, 2007, said base spokeswoman Jean Offutt. Brown was the fifth infantryman from his Fort Bliss unit to die in Iraq in a two-week period, she said. The infantrymen were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Bliss, according to the Defense Department. On Tuesday, Brown's body will be transported to Arlington National Cemetery, where he'll be buried. BROWN, NICHOLAS P CPL US ARMY DATE OF BIRTH: 02/12/1982 DATE OF DEATH: 01/22/2007 BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8531 ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY |
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