Army Spc. James C. Kearney III

Died November 1, 2004 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of Emerson, Iowa; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard, Glenwood, Iowa; died Nov. 1 in Salerno, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades in Sharan, Afghanistan.

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Iowa soldier dies in Afghanistan

By Michelle Spitzer

Associated Press

JOHNSTON, Iowa — An Iowa National Guard soldier was killed and two others were injured when their Humvee was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire in Afghanistan, Guard officials said Tuesday.

Spc. James C Kearney, III, 22, of Emerson, died at a hospital after the attack Monday near Sharan, Afghanistan, said Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood.

Spc. Kenneth L. Lukes, 29, of Protivin, lost his left arm in the attack. Spc. Michael R. Johnson, 22, of Red Oak, also was wounded.

Both were in serious condition at a hospital in Germany, Hapgood said.

All three soldiers were members of Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, based in Shenandoah.

“I feel a sense of loss in our organization, but at the same time, I feel a sense of pride in the organization,” said Lt. Col. Tom Stanton, executive officer with the 2nd Brigade, Air Assault, 34th Division. “The soldiers were doing their mission and we’re very proud of the mission they did.”

Stanton said the unit was providing security for government and nonmilitary organizations.

Kearney, who enlisted Dec. 1, 1999, was the first Iowa National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan.

He was an employee of Red Oak Die Casting and a 2001 graduate of Nishna Valley High School.

He is survived by his parents, Theresa M. and James C. Kearney Jr., of Emerson, two brothers and a sister.

His family issued a statement, describing him as “generous, dedicated, fun and fearless, living life to its fullest and always taking risks.”

“He enjoyed working with youth and for fun he loved to go mudding in his Jeep. He also loved the outdoors,” the statement said.

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Soldier’s death strengthens resolve in hometown

EMERSON, Iowa — Townspeople say the death of one of their own in Afghanistan has only strengthened their resolve in the war against terrorism.

Residents of Emerson, a town of about 480 southeast of Council Bluffs, learned this week that Spc. James C. Kearney III, 22, had been killed in Afghanistan. He was the first Iowa soldier killed in that country. Kearney was a soldier with the Iowa National Guard unit from Shenandoah.

Kearney’s death saddened residents in the small town. Despite their mourning, residents say they also were proud of Kearney and the sacrifice he made.

“I’m proud but sad today,” said Shirley Straight, owner of the Emerson Cafe.

Kearney died Monday after the Humvee he was in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire.

While his death left townspeople dejected, it hardly changed their outlook on the war against terrorism. Some say Kearney’s death has strengthened their support for President Bush and his effort to spread freedom throughout the Middle East.

“It’s something that’s got to be done,” said Duane Paulsen as he sipped coffee at the cafe. “I think Bush is the guy to do it.”

Two other Iowans were injured in the attack that killed Kearney.

Spc. Kenneth Lukes, 29, of Protivin, and Spc. Michael R. Johnson, 22, of Red Oak, were seriously wounded.

Kearney’s family has declined to talk about his death, but his parents issued a statement describing him as “generous, dedicated, fun and fearless.”

The family’s home showed unwavering support for President Bush the day after he won re-election.

A Bush/Cheney sign stood in their front yard and an American flag was displayed on the porch. A poster on the house read, “America Fights to Stop Terrorism.”

Chuck Moyers, who served in the Navy from 1982 to 1992, said Kearney’s death was “heartbreaking.”

“Emerson’s not a town of individuals, it’s a town of ... moms and dads. When something happens to any one of us, it’s felt by all of us.”

Moyers oldest son recently returned from National Guard duty in Kuwait.

“You can’t have nothing but respect for these people who serve,” Moyers said. “It’s not a job; you don’t do it for money. It’s a sense of duty to protect the way of life we have in this country. It keeps terrorism off our shores.”

— Associated Press

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Town bids farewell to soldier killed in Afghanistan

RED OAK, Iowa — Hundreds of schoolchildren lined the streets of this southwest Iowa town on Wednesday, waving small U.S. flags and holding their hands over their hearts as the funeral procession of Sgt. James C. Kearney III passed by.

Crowds lined the main highway through this town of about 6,000 people and, at the edge of town, two fire trucks with their ladders extended over the roadway formed an arch from which hung a huge flag.

A carillon tower across the street from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where the funeral was held, tolled “God Bless America.”

Kearney, 22, of nearby Emerson, died Nov. 1 after the Humvee in which he and two other Iowa National Guard soldiers were riding was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and small-arms fire near Sharan, Afghanistan.

Spc. Kenneth L. Lukes, 29, of Protivin, lost his left arm in the attack. Spc. Michael R. Johnson, 22, of Red Oak, also was wounded.

All three were members of Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, based in Shenandoah.

Kearney was remembered Wednesday as intelligent and fun-loving. He loved basketball, hunting and going mudding in his Jeep. He was a Scout leader and a merit badge counselor, the Rev. Ken Gross said.

One of Kearney’s most valued assets was his generous spirit, Gross said. As a boy, Kearney learned a neighbor had hurt her back and he rode his bike to her house to do her gardening and mowing.

“He was a person of character with great determination,” Gross said. “He was adventurous, fearless and enjoyed taking risks. There’s no doubt he made a good soldier, as many would attest.”

Kearney’s aunt, Laura Ferkel, came from Colorado for the funeral. She said she had last seen him in December at a family gathering in Michigan.

“Emotionally it’s very hard. He was so young and was starting to show a lot of promise,” said Ferkel, of Denver.

She said she was impressed at the community’s response to Kearney’s death.

“The movies make fun of small town America. But small-town America has so much heart. There is so much love,” she said.

Johnson attended his buddy’s funeral. Family members drove him to Iowa from an Army hospital at Fort Hood, Texas, where he continues to receive treatment for shrapnel wounds.

Lukes remains in Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he was awarded a Purple Heart on Tuesday by President Bush.

Kearney was posthumously promoted to sergeant. He also was awarded a Bronze Star, with “V” for Valor, and a Purple Heart.

At the cemetery in Emerson, a color guard from the 168th Infantry gave Kearney a 21-gun salute. The flag from his casket was carefully folded and given to his mother, Theresa Kearney.

— Associated Press