September 13, 2012

BORN: August 5, 1986

HOMETOWN: Lafayette, IN

ENTERED SERVICE: October 18, 2007

UNITS: 1st Battalion 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd, JRTC OPFOR of the 509th

MILITARY TRAINING: Sniper Course; Jumpmaster Course; Warrior Leader Course; Commandant’s List; Ranger School; Pre-Ranger Course; Combat Life-Savers Course (CLS); Airborne school; Combatives Level 1; Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB)

DEPLOYMENTS: Afghanistan

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:  Bronze Star, Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal with ISAF Clasp, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Expert with Rifle Bar, Ranger Tab, Army Superior Unit Award, Overseas Service Bar.

SURVIVED BY: Wife Maggie; his mother, Miriam, of Blackduck, Minn.; his father, Creigh, and his wife, Christa, of Stockwell, and their children, Katlyn and Kade; and his maternal grandmother, Esther Shively, of Lafayette

 

On September 13, 2012 in Muger, Afghanistan, during an important Battalion mission, Kyle’s unit was engaged by a large enemy force with small-arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and recoilless rifle fire. As he was directing the Team’s fire, Kyle was struck by enemy fire. While still engaging the enemy, Kyle died of wounds with his brothers by his side.