 |
 |
| SERGEANT
EVAN A. ASHCRAFT |
 |
| SGT
Ashcraft was inducted into the U.S. Army on January 20,
2000 at age 20. He was assigned to Ft. Campbell,
Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division -
the Screaming Eagles. Showing extraordinary performance
during basic training, Evan was made a team leader by
demonstrating strong leadership ability.
Evan
was seeking a greater challenge. He volunteered for duty
in the Rangers and, in November 2002, he was sent for
training in North Carolina. In that month, a
record-breaking ice storm occurred while training was
underway. During nighttime maneuvers, and while running
through the woods, Evan stepped in a depression left
from a fallen tree heavily laden with ice. This caused a
fracture in his ankle that he believed would disqualify
him from the training if discovered. For three days,
Evan continued training on this injured foot - and excelled.
Finally, a Corpsman noticed a limp in Evan's walk. He
was returned to Ft. Campbell with the promise to train
again in the future. |
| Re-training
did not occur because on March 1, 2003, Evan was
deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Company A, 1st
Battalion, 327th Infantry of the 101st
Airborne Division. In May 2003, he was promoted to
Corporal. He participated in the liberation of the
Baghdad International Airport and the Oday/Usay
Operation. Subsequently, in April 2003 while riding on a
Humvee with two soldiers behind another unit, the
forward vehicle hit a land mine and encountered small
arms fire. It wounded the soldiers accompanying Evan so
they were unable to move themselves free from the center
of action. Evan evacuated both of them so they could
receive medical attention, saving their lives. His good
friend Sergeant ("Archie") Arcebuce, one of the
soldiers Evan rescued, said that Evan was always there
for his men. He was a natural leader.
|
| The
day of Evan's mortal wounds occurred on July 24, 2003.
In the early morning hours, he was driving a Humvee with
Staff Sergeant Perez in the passenger seat and
Specialist Heighter walking along side. They were on a
reconnaissance mission near the town of al-Hawd near
Mosul when enemy rocket propelled grenades and small
arms fire killed the three soldiers.
Staff
Sergeant Albert Waklatsi witnessed the attack that
morning. Reminiscing a few weeks later, SSG Waklatsi
said of Evan, "He always volunteered for the tough
duty and was willing to take on a job. He was one of the
best soldiers I have ever met."
Evan was interred at Oakwood Memorial Park in
Chatsworth, California, on August 2, 2003. By his side
with his family and friends was SGT Arcebuce. Evan, age
24, was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, the Purple
Heart and the rank of Sergeant posthumously. Evan was
the best, he was a hero and above the rest. He will
remain in our hearts forever. |
|
|
 |
 |