Army Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt Jr.

Died January 20, 2010 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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19, of Yonkers, N.Y.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Sill, Okla.; died Jan. 20, in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a noncombat-related accident.

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Army background influenced decision to enlist

The Associated Press

Gifford Hurt’s parents are Army veterans, and he grew up on military bases.

No one was surprised when Hurt, of Yonkers N.Y., decided on an Army career and enlisted a year ago at age 18.

“All of our friends are in the military, and that’s all he knew,” said his mother, Lisa Davis.

Hurt’s assignment at Fort Sill, Okla., required him to work at the post while several others were deployed to Iraq. But when an opportunity arose, Hurt, known as “GJ,” eagerly volunteered to join them.

Hurt was a passenger in a Humvee in Mosul, Iraq, when it crashed Jan. 20, killing him. The Army says the crash was not combat related and is under investigation.

Hurt enjoyed boxing, basketball and weight training. He also was skilled at defusing conflicts, said Mike Henry, who went through basic training with him.

“There would be fights going on, and he would be the one to stop the fighting,” Henry said.

Another comrade, Frank Perez, said in an online tribute that Hurt will not be forgotten and that his unit “will finish out this mission in your memory.”

Survivors also include his father, Gifford Hurt Sr.; two sisters, Ashley Trapp and Alyssa Thompson, and two brothers, Tarique and Malik Thompson.