Army Cpl. Peter J. Courcy

Died February 12, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of Frisco, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed was Army Pfc. Jason R. Watson.

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IED kills two 101st soldiers

By Chris Smith

The Leaf-Chronicle

Two 101st Airborne Division soldiers died Tuesday when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle in Salerno, Afghanistan.

Spc. Peter J. Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, and Pfc. Jason R. Watson, 19, of Many, La., died in Salerno from their injuries, according to a news release Thursday from the Department of Defense.

The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Campbell.

According to a Fort Campbell media release, Courcy was an infantryman who entered the Army in July 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. His awards and decorations include: the Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Courcy is survived by his wife, Mara, of Colony, Texas; son, Anthony Luke, of Fisco, Texas; mother and step-father, Mary and Christopher Bush, of Frisco, Texas; and father, Jon Mitchell, whose whereabouts are unknown, according to the release.

According to the Fort Campbell release, Watson was an infantryman who entered the Army in September 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2008. His awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Sharpshooter Badge; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Watson is survived by his mother, Cynthia, of Walterboro, S.C.; father, Robert, of Converse, La.; and twin brother Charles, of Maney, La.

A memorial service for the soldiers will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.

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Soldier had hoped to join Special Forces

The Associated Press

Peter J. Courcy’s best friend, Otto Bauer, laughed as he remembered meeting Peter in 2001 on a school bus.

“He was one of a kind, and we just hit it off right away and quickly became close,” Bauer said. “He was always a goofy kid and had a strong personality.”

Courcy, 22, of Frisco, Texas, was killed Feb. 10 by a suicide car bomb in Salerno. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

Courcy’s former principal remembers his upbeat presence and fervor for life. “He was a good student, but he was an even better person,” Rick Burnett said. “That was reflective in the fact that he served his country.”

After graduating in 2004, he played amateur hockey for the Dallas Ice Hawks while taking classes at community colleges until enlisting in 2006.

“We always knew that’s what he wanted and needed,” said his father, Chris. “He needed to be in the Army just as much as the Army needed him, and he thrived there.”

He was a Dallas Cowboys nut and signed on for another five years of service, hoping to join the Special Forces.

He also is survived by his wife, Mara, and their 5-month-old son Anthony.