 Rocky Mountain News -- A 22-year-old Fort Carson soldier has died more than six months after suffering severe head injuries in Baghdad.
Sgt. Mikeal W. Miller, of Albany, Ore., died Sunday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., according to officials at Fort Carson.
He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
Miller was wounded July 9, when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device. Miller was flown to the United States for treatment.
"He was a good kid. He did whatever you asked of him," Miller's platoon sergeant, Stephen LaRocque, of Colorado Springs, said Tuesday. "He was a real good soldier."
LaRocque said Miller was in his second tour in Iraq and was headed to the International Zone in Baghdad to enjoy a four- day pass when he was wounded. He had been married less than a year.
An obituary in Miller's hometown newspaper, the Albany Democrat-Herald, quoted a family friend as saying Miller died after his family asked doctors to remove him from life support.
Miller graduated from South Albany High School in 2003. While in school, he played football and wrestled.
Miller entered the Army in August 2003. He was sent to Iraq in August 2004 for a year and returned in October 2006.
He received the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal. He also was awarded the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and a Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Survivors include his wife, Meg; mother, Rene Pool, of Albany; father, Steve, and three brothers. His family could not be reached for comment. |
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Forging Destiny"(61st Cav Motto)