Soldier died protecting others

Private, 19, recalled for humor, brains and smoking cheap cigars

Ahmad Terry © News

The Kevlar helmet of Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, rests on top of a rifle at Fort Carson’s Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel during his memorial service Wednesday. Madaras, 19, was killed last month in Iraq.

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By Dick Foster, Rocky Mountain News
October 5, 2006

COLORADO SPRINGS – Fellow soldiers remembered 19-year-old Nicholas Madaras as a bright young man with a sense of humor who kept their spirits high amid the carnage and chaos of Iraq.His sergeant, Brenden McCullagh, recalled smoking cigars with his young driver outside their barracks at the end of a hard day, ribbing other soldiers in their platoon.

“And they were particularly cheap cigars,” said Maj. Daniel Holland, remembering the young private first class with a smile.

Holland spoke to about 400 soldiers who gathered at Fort Carson’s Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel Wednesday to remember Madaras, who was killed Sept. 3 when his squadron was struck by an ambush of multiple roadside bombs. His unit was part of Fort Carson’s 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

It was Madaras’ intelligence and abilities that caught the eye of Army brass, and they selected him for the security detail for his unit’s command staff, Holland said.

“Members of the command group’s personal security detachment are hand-picked for their intelligence, reliability and loyalty, and they receive special training,” Holland said. “Nick definitely was in that top tier of elite young guys that Army recruiters find out there in society. It is hard to find guys like that.”

Madaras’ patrol was attacked as it carried three wounded soldiers from another unit to the hospital from an earlier attack in Baghdad, recalled Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher in a letter that was read to the congregation Wednesday.

Two IEDs exploded within Madaras’ convoy line, striking near Fisher’s Humvee and another one farther forward. Madaras maneuvered his Humvee into position behind Fisher’s vehicle to protect the convoy. As he stepped out of his vehicle, a third IED exploded next to him, striking him with shrapnel.

“Doc worked on him for about 10 minutes but there was nothing he could do,” Fisher recalled.

“Having just driven through a firestorm of IEDs, Nick must have known the odds were against him that day, yet he still immediately dismounted from the safety of his vehicle, placing himself at risk, to protect his commander and his buddies and the wounded Delta Company soldiers they were trying to evacuate,” Holland told the congregation.

It was the same soldier Sgt. McCullagh recalled: a funny, smart, selfless young man, “a soldier’s soldier, who when it came game time, was all business.”

Friends in Madaras’ hometown of Wilton, Conn., remembered similar traits. They saw in him a young man engaged in his community, an avid soccer player who took time to become a coach and teach the game to youngsters.

The children he coached had continued to send him e-mails in Iraq, and he answered each and every one, said Holland.

Madaras had hoped to return to school and become a doctor or nurse, friends recalled.

“He was a bright young man in the prime of his life, who had dreams and aspirations and so much to offer not only the Army but society,” said Holland. “It’s tragic that we had to lose him so young.”

fosterd@RockyMountainNews.com

Godspeed… Rest well Soldier

On this thread shall be posted the tomes of those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. I am a Marine Corps brat, and have an affinity for Paratroopers as well. My failings should in no way make any less the sacrifices of those that are not Infantry. Post memorials here as any see fit with the respect deserved.

First Call

In Memoriam: Ranger Gilbert Jenkins

Major, US Army, Retired

The following biography and tribute was written by USARA President Jim Grimshaw following Ranger Jenkins’ death.
 

USARA mourns the death of Major Gilbert K. Jenkins, USA Ret.

Ranger Jenkins, Life Member of USARA, died on 7 April 2003 at the Peachtree Christian Hospice, Duluth, GA. He was buried 10 April at Hillcrest Cemetary, Savannah, GA with full military honors provided by 1st Bn 75th Rangers.

He was a native of Savannah and a resident of Suwanee, GA. He was a graduate of Armstrong State College, Savannah.

Gil was an enlisted man in the 82d Abn Div, 101st Abn Div and Special Forces and served in Laos. He enlisted in the Army when he was 15 years old and was in the 82d Abn Div. When they learned he was underage, he was discharged, only to join up again a couple of years later. Upon graduation from Infantry OCS, he was Honor Graduate of his Ranger Course.

He served in the 5th and 6th Special Forces Groups and the 82d Abn Div as an officer, as well as Forces Command. He spent four tours in Vietnam, graduated from Helicopter Flight School and commanded an Aviation Company as a Captain in Vietnam. He was a Ranger Instructor and S4 in the Florida Ranger Camp, Auxiliary Field #7 in 1967/68 with me in between Vietnam tours and flight school. In 1966 as a First Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 5th SFG Mobile Guerrilla Strike Force, “Mike Force”, and was a key leader in two highly successful “Blackjack” operations deep into enemy territory and far from friendly support.

He was a battalion S3 and XO in the 82d Abn Div. At FORSCOM he was the Ranger Coordinator when the 1st and 2d Ranger Battalions were activated, and his primary responsibility was insuring the battalions had the personnel, weapons and equipment to fight on to the Ranger objective. He evaluated 1/75 in an ORT. He was a key player in the process to approve and organize Delta Force and evaluated their combat readiness. He was highly thought of by these units and senior officers because of his leadership, special operations skills and passionate support of Rangers and Delta Force.

But most of all, he was an extraordinary husband and father. He was nominated to be the Aide-de-Camp of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, but he chose to retire so he could devote more time to his family.

Gil was my best Special Forces/Ranger friend. The “Big Ranger in the Sky” told me I should make sure everyone understands that I love him and I will miss him. He was a great influence in my life, a great warrior hero to his family, his country and most of all, to me. Gil was the personification of the quiet professional, but when he spoke, he meant what he said.

Gil is survived by his lovely wife Joyce, three sons and several grandchildren, his father and sister and several other family members. His son Keith was a member of 1/75 in the early 1980’s and his son Tracey served in 1/75 and then 3/75 in Mogadishu. His son Bobby is a successful businessman in Florida.

I forced Gil to join USARA about three years ago when we were having dinner in Savannah. I threatened to whip his ass if he didn’t join and write me a check on the spot for a Life Membership! Gil was the personification of an Airborne Ranger Infantryman Special Forces Hero and he will always be with me in spirit! De Oppresso Liber and Rangers Lead The Way!

Please accept my apologies for indulging your association president in expressing his feelings for his best friend. I am saddened by Gil’s passing, but I am rejoicing in the knowledge that he is with the “Big Ranger in the Sky” and is in the best Patrol Base leading one of God’s patrols.

(signed) USARA President Jim Grimshaw

source;

http://www.ranger.org/bio-Gilbert-Jenkins.html

Edited for a mis-spell; “Major” does not refer to myself, check the link.