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Melodie Phelps News Editor A roadside bomb has claimed the life of a soldier serving with Bravo Battery Hughes, 21, of Lebanon, Kentucky, died Saturday, March 19, after his vehicle encountered a roadside bomb during an escort patrol for a convoy, according to an official statement released Monday by the Kentucky Army National Guard. Another soldier from Battery B was injured during the explosion that claimed Hughesı life. That soldier is now at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and is listed in stable condition, according to a statement from the Kentucky Army National Guard. No other information about the injured soldier, who has not been named, has been released. Hughes was assigned to Bravo Battery 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery, which is based in Campbellsville and includes members from Monticello. Bravo Battery has been stationed near Baghdad for nearly two months, and their primary duty is to provide security for convoys. ³We are deeply saddened by the loss of Specialist Hughes,² stated Kentucky Adjutant General Donald C. Storm. ³He was a true patriot who answered the call of his nation.² ³Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and support go out to his family and we will do everything possible as a National Guard family to support them during this difficult time,² Storm continued. Hughesı wife, Sara, issued a statement Monday to the media. ³Adam was a loving husband and a wonderful daddy to his son, Peyton. He was active in hunting, fishing and outdoor wildlife,² stated Sara Hughes. ³He was really looking forward to returning home to his family and doing activities with his 9-month-old son who he thought the world of. He will be sadly missed by everyone.² Hughes joined the National Guard in May 2001 when he was 17, according to information released Monday. The flag at the local National Guard Armory on Main Street in Monticello was lowered to half staff on Monday. In Frankfort, Governor Ernie Fletcher also directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half staff in honor of Hughes. ³I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Specialist Hughes,² stated Fletcher. ³He paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country in Iraq. We have truly lost a valiant man, one of the Commonwealthıs finest.² Captain Lawrence A. Joiner, the commander of Bravo Battery, issued the following statement: ³To the family and friends of SPC Jonathan Hughes, everyone here is grieving with you for we have lost one of our family members as well. You are in our every thought and prayers. Words cannot express our love and brotherhood for Jonathan. His quiet and shy disposition will be dearly missed. He will forever be a part of our lives.² The Kentucky Army National Guard said Monday that Hughes is being posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is also being awarded the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal for his service to his nation and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In a separate incident, three members of the 617th Military Police Company were injured Sunday, March 20, during an ambush while protecting a convoy on the main supply route Southeast of Baghdad. Elements of both the 617th and 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery were involved in Sundayıs action. The injured soldiers were transported to the U.S. Army Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where they are listed in stable condition. The names of these soldiers had not been released Monday. The 617th Military Police Company is based in Richmond with a detachment stationed in Bowling Green. Reader Comments Sister of Soldier (8/22/2005) The 623rd was the first group of troops to be attacked. They took on heavy fire before being backed by the 617th. The 623rd has been involved in many combative situations that have not yet been addressed by the media due to the "glory hounds" of the other troops. (3/29/2005) The 617th was providing support to the 623rd. the 623rd was escorting the convoy that was ambushed Add a comment |
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