Army Pfc. Danny L. Kimme

Died January 16, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

---

27, of Fisher, Ill.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Jan. 16 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from grenade and small-arms fire during combat operations. Also killed were Pfc. David H. Sharrett II and Spc. John P. Sigsbee.

---

101st soldiers to be honored at memorial service

The Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Three Fort Campbell soldiers who were killed this week in Iraq were from the same brigade that lost three soldiers last week, Army officials said Jan. 18.

The Army says the 101st Airborne Division soldiers died from wounds sustained Jan. 16 when their patrol came under small-arms fire and grenade attack in Balad. Two other soldiers were wounded.

Pfc. Danny L. Kimme, 27, of Fisher, Ill.; Pfc. David H. Sharrett II, 27, of Oakton, Va.; and Spc. John P. Sigsbee, 21, of Waterville, N.Y., will be remembered at a memorial service in Iraq.

They were all assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. Six soldiers from the 1st Brigade have been killed in Iraq in January.

A monthly remembrance ceremony will be held at the post on the Tennessee-Kentucky state line.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of the soldiers.

Sigsbee joined the Army in October 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in April 2006. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during combat. He is survived by his parents, James and Susan, of Waterville, N.Y.

Sharrett joined the Army in August 2006 and came to Fort Campbell in December 2006. He is survived by his wife, Heather Shell, of Oak Grove, Ky., and his parents, David H. Sharrett Sr. of Oakton and Kimberly Drummond of Strasburg, Va.

Kimme joined the Army in October 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2007. He is survived by his wife, Corinne, of Fort Campbell and his parents, Douglas Kimme of Fisher, Ill., and Patricia Barry of Jacksonville, Ark.

The military is also investigating the deaths of three other 1st Brigade soldiers who were gunned down during a three-hour firefight in the Salahuddin province north of Baghdad last week.

The incident is being investigated to determine whether the soldiers were killed by the enemy or by U.S. troops in friendly fire.

---

Soldier remembered for heart, positive outlook

The Associated Press

Danny L. Kimme’s daughter Dani, who is expected to be born in April, will grow up hearing about his valor, patriotism and spirit.

“Please tell her that he served in Iraq and died serving his country. Please tell her that daddy was admired by all his fellow soldiers, leaders and friends. Please tell her that he’s greatly missed by all his brothers,” Brig. Gen. James McConville said to Kimme’s widow, Corinne.

Kimme, 27, of Fisher, Ill., was killed Jan. 16 of wounds from an explosive and small-arms fire in Balad. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

McConville said soldiers who served with Kimme said he was a good sport and prankster. He had a positive outlook on life and an “uncanny” way of keeping up good spirits.

Kimme came from a long line of soldiers, his family said. He enlisted in the Army at 26 to help in the fight in Iraq.

“Danny wasn’t always the guy who lived in an abundance of stuff that you could hold in your hand or keep in your pocket. That guy carried more heart in him than any of our friends carry or I carry and I’ll always be proud to call him my friend,” said Travis Rose.