Army Pfc. Brandon J. Wadman

Died May 5, 2004 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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19, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery, Florida National Guard, West Palm Beach, Fla.; killed May 5, 2004, when his vehicle rolled over in Afghanistan.

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Cape Coral soldier killed in Afghanistan

Associated Press

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A 19-year-old Army National Guard soldier died in Afghanistan when his vehicle rolled over days after he arrived in the country, the Army said.

Pfc. Brandon Wadman, of Cape Coral, was traveling from Bagram Airfield to Kabul in a military vehicle when it rolled over, injuring 16 other soldiers.

Army officials told Wadman’s family he was the gunner on top of the vehicle, The News-Press of Fort Myers reported.

Wadman’s parents, Martin and Deborah Scheid of Cape Coral, told the paper they were still trying to get more information about their son’s death.

“He was on a routine patrol and the vehicle rolled over. They were not under fire,” Martin Scheid said. “I’m pushing the military to give me some answers.”

Wadman was a radio operator who was born in Oxford, Ohio, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Steve Stover said. He had no further information.

After a weekend of Army National Guard training in Sarasota last fall, Wadman signed up to go to Afghanistan. His mother had also served in the military.

“He made the choice. He shocked us,” Scheid said. “He was trying to get his life going. This happened too quick.”

Wadman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery in West Palm Beach when he shipped out last week.

Pfc. Kate Johnson, 22, was a friend and fellow soldier who worked with Wadman before he left.

“He’s extremely high speed. He knew his job inside and out. He knew my job as well as he knew his job,” she said. “He’s a real positive person. He always made me smile.”

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Funeral held for Florida soldier killed in Afghanistan

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A 19-year-old Army National Guard soldier who died in Afghanistan five days after arriving for duty there was remembered as “a hero” at his funeral.

Services for Pfc. Brandon Wadman of Cape Coral were held Friday, complete with a 21-gun salute, a bugler playing “Taps” and the presentation of the teen’s Bronze Star and Florida Cross to his mother, Deborah Scheid — a military veteran herself.

Wadman died May 5 while traveling from Bagram Airfield to Kabul in a military vehicle when it rolled over. His unit was not under fire at the time, officials said.

“He died doing what he believed in,” said Wadman’s stepfather, Martin Scheid. “He was a hero, trying to do his part.”

Wadman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery in West Palm Beach. He was sent to Fort Dix, N.J., for further training, but lost his military identification shortly before his company was to leave for Afghanistan — a mistake that could have kept him from making the trip overseas.

But Wadman was able to convince commanders to let him stay with his company, said Sgt. Brian Lewis, who trained alongside Wadman at Fort Dix.

“He didn’t want to be separated from his company,” Lucas said. “He was very dedicated to what we were doing, and he didn’t want to stay behind.”

— Associated Press