Army Pfc. Adam J. Harris

Died September 22, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Abilene, Texas; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.; killed Sept. 22 by a sniper as he was on patrol in Mosul, Iraq.

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Abilene soldier killed in Iraq

Associated Press

ABILENE, Texas — Army Pfc. Adam Harris celebrated his 21st birthday in Iraq last weekend and was scheduled to return from duty next month. He died Sept. 22 in Mosul, Iraq, after being shot by a sniper while on patrol in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to a release by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Harris is the son of Denise Bush, the secretary for Dyess Air Force Base Commander Col. Garret Harencak. His stepfather, Steven Bush, is the food superintendent for the 7th Services Squadron at the Abilene base and was deployed to the Middle East last week.

Harris’ mother and stepfather have been stationed at Dyess since 2000, said Capt. David May, a Dyess spokesman.

Harris was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, which is part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, in Fort Lewis, Wash. He had been in Iraq for 11 months after enlisting in the Army last year. Harris turned 21 on Saturday, May said.

Denise Bush said her son was a typical young man who loved sports, especially football, and cars. She said her son had been doing well in Iraq, the Abilene Reporter-News reported.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you,” she said in a statement released by Dyess. “It’s just devastating.”

Harencak said he met Harris when the young soldier visited his parents in July.

“He was a great young American with a great heart,” Harencak said. “He always wanted to serve, but he wanted to make his parents proud. He certainly did that. He made us all proud. His sacrifice will never be forgotten by those who love this country and those who choose to defend it.”

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Abilene soldier killed in Iraq

ABILENE, Texas — Pfc. Adam Harris celebrated his 21st birthday in Iraq last weekend and was scheduled to return from duty next month.

Harris died in Mosul, Iraq, on Wednesday after he was shot by a sniper while on patrol in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to a release by the Department of Defense.

Harris is the son of Denise Bush, the secretary for Dyess Air Force Base commander Col. Garret Harencak. His stepfather, Steven Bush, is the food superintendent for the 7th Services Squadron at the Abilene base and was deployed to the Middle East last week.

Harris’ mother and stepfather have been stationed at Dyess since 2000, said Capt. David May, a Dyess spokesman.

Harris was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, which is part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Wash. He had been in Iraq for 11 months after enlisting in the Army last year. Harris turned 21 on Saturday, May said.

Denise Bush said her son was a typical young man who loved sports, especially football, and cars. She said her son had been doing well in Iraq, the Abilene Reporter-News reported.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you,” she said in a statement released by Dyess. “It’s just devastating.”

Harencak said he met Harris when the young soldier visited his parents in July.

“He was a great young American with a great heart,” Harencak said. “He always wanted to serve, but he wanted to make his parents proud. He certainly did that. He made us all proud. His sacrifice will never be forgotten by those who love this country and those who choose to defend it.”

— Associated Press