Army Spc. Richard Gilmore III

Died July 18, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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22, of Jasper, Ala.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany; died July 18 in Adhamiyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales, Spc. Zachary R. Clouser and Spc. Daniel E. Gomez.

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Alabama soldier killed by roadside bomb in Iraq

The Associated Press

CARBON HILL, Ala. — Richard Gilmore feared the worst when there was a knock on his door at 12:30 a.m. July 19 and there were two soldiers standing there. The news was bad.

His 22-year-old son, Richard Gilmore III, had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, becoming the first person from Walker County to be killed in the war in Iraq.

Gilmore died July 18, along with three other soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter, when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol unit in eastern Baghdad.

Gilmore, a 2003 graduate of Walker High School, was a member of the Army’s 126th Infantry Division, Alpha Company, based in Germany.

“The minute I opened the door and saw those two soldiers, I knew. I was just crushed,” Gilmore told The Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle newspaper. “He was my best friend. We were very close. I’m going to cry many nights over this.”

Funeral arrangements won’t be made until Gilmore’s body is returned to the U.S. Family members said Army officials told them it could take between seven and 10 days. In addition to his parents, Richard Gilmore III is survived by his wife, Jimmie Sue Gilmore, and his two children, a son Malakiah and a daughter Alexis.

“I know when I see his coffin, it’s going to floor me,” Gilmore said. “There’s no use denying it, it’s going to be really bad. This is a sad situation, especially for my grandchildren. I’ve faced a lot of things in my life, but I don’t think it can get any harder or worse than this.”

Gilmore said his faith told him his son would return home safely one day. “I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said.

“He was supposed to have left Iraq in June and returned to Germany, but his stay had been extended,” Gilmore said. “He was doing a great thing and he was a really brave man — a true war hero.”

Gilmore said his son had been wounded a couple of times during his tour in Iraq, but he always volunteered to go back to the front lines.

Gilmore said his son told him recently the saddest thing he’d heard was when a soldier gets killed, Army officials call the name out three times during roll call and then ring a bell.

“He said, ‘Dad, we try not to cry, but you can’t help but break down. It’s the saddest thing you’ll ever hear.’ I got so sad when he told me that,” Gilmore said. “I got to thinking about that. I’m sure Thursday morning, when they called Richard’s name during roll call, they called it three times and then rang a bell for him.”

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Funeral Saturday for Alabama soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

JASPER, Ala. — Walker County’s first fatality of the war in Iraq has united the county in mourning, which culminates with a funeral service July 28.

The funeral of Spec. Richard Gilmore III is expected to draw so many people that it will be held at the football stadium at Walker High School, where he graduated in 2003.

“I’m so proud of how this city has unified into one body,” said Gilmore’s father, Richard Gilmore II.

The outpouring of support began July 25 when the body of Gilmore, 22, of Carbon Hill, was flown home. Friends and family met the plane and then more people turned out that afternoon for a flag-lowering ceremony on the steps of the county courthouse in Jasper.

Vietnam veteran Douglas Kennedy had met Gilmore only once, but he wanted to show his support.

“I’m proud of all of the young men that serve this country, that keep our freedom and everything we stand for,” he told the Daily Mountain Eagle.

Gilmore died July 19, along with three other soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter, when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol unit in eastern Baghdad. Gilmore was a member of the Army’s 126th Infantry Division, Alpha Company, based in Germany.

Gilmore was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

“I’m impressed that he could have quit after the first time he went to Iraq, but he chose to go back and, to me, that’s a soldier,” his father said.

Survivors include his wife, Jimmie Sue Gilmore, and his two children, a son, Malakiah, and a daughter, Alexis.

“I’m sad, but I can’t be too sad,” his wife said. “He died doing something he loved, and I know he’s in a better place. We have to make it through this for the kids.”

Gilmore’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. at the football stadium in Jasper, followed by burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.

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Alabama soldier killed in Iraq laid to rest

The Associated Press

JASPER, Ala. — Some 200 mourners said farewell July 28 to Army Spc. Richard Gilmore III, Walker County’s first fatality of the war in Iraq.

His funeral was held in the football stadium at Walker High School, where he graduated in 2003.

The family and dignitaries took seats on the east side of the field, facing the casket and red, white and blue-themed floral arrangement.

Gilmore, 22, of Carbon Hill, died July 18 in Adhamiyah, Iraq, along with three other soldiers when his unit’s patrol vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using a roadside bomb and small-arms fire.

Gilmore was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

All four soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, based in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Speakers lined up July 28 to praise Gilmore.

“He has proven the integrity placed in him by his good father and mother did not go by the wayside,” the Rev. Dennis Farley prayed. “We rejoice because this, your child, has found his way home. ... He lived with honor. He died with honor. Because of your son, we know he will live forever.”

Pastor D.L. Bobbitt said God had “loaned Gilmore out” and now has taken him back.

“I know grief is in the midst,” Bobbitt said. “But someone ought to shout hallelujah! Hope can be shaken, but it cannot be totally removed.”

Army Maj. Gen. James R. Myles, commanding general of the Army Aviation and Missile Command, presented the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

“Richard was a team player. He thought about others before he thought about himself,” Myles said.

Gilmore’s family also was presented a certificate and message from Gov. Bob Riley, who called on all Alabamians to remember Gilmore’s sacrifice.

A flag flown over the Alabama Capitol in Gilmore’s honor was also presented to the family, as well as the Distinguished Service Medal from the Alabama National Guard. A representative of the American Legion presented a Gold Star.

Burial with military honors was in Oak Hill Cemetery.