  FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, Donovan D. Witham, 20, of Malvern, died Tuesday from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was traveling in near Baghdad, Iraq.
Witham was a military police officer with the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
“Specialist Donovan Witham represented everything good about our paratroopers,” said Maj. Mark Lastoria, Witham’s troop commander. “He was a volunteer amongst volunteers by not only becoming a military police officer in the Army, but also a paratrooper.
“He chose to join the Army when it was fully engaged in the global war on terrorism, which is courageous enough in its own right,” Lastoria said. Witham was a 2005 graduate of Glen Rose High School. He played football, ran track and was a member of the choir, Drama Club and Student Council. Witham joined the Army in November 2005. He completed Military Police One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in June 2006.
He arrived to the 82nd in June 2006 and was assigned to 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry as a military police officer. “He always strived to be the best at everything he did,” Lastoria added. “He will be deeply missed and always remembered by those of us who had the honor to serve with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and friends during this sad time.”
Witham’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Witham is survived by his mother, Martha Launius and his stepfather, Richard Launius, both of Malvern; three sisters, Amber Sharp and husband Stephen of Magnolia, Jamie Witham of Benton and Virginia Bennett of Magnolia; and his grandparents, Elizabeth Taylor of Paron, George Dixson of Malvern, Maxine Beck of Hot Springs and Arville and Carole Launius of Pine Bluff.
 Witham was born Nov. 7, 1986, in Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Rogie Taylor. Witham’s mother said Donovan had planned to propose to his girlfriend, Julie DeBoer of Michigan, in December. “I couldn’t ask for a better son,” Martha Launius said. “He was one of the most favorite people ever,” Virginia Bennett, Witham’s sister, said. Witham had been employed at the Ouachita River Correctional Unit after graduating from high school.
The unit will hold a memorial service for Witham in Iraq. Witham will be buried with full military honors. Arrangements are pending with Ashby Funeral Home in Benton.
Additional survivors for Witham include Jamie Witham’s live-in mate, Brad Hogue of Benton, and a godbrother, Casey Moreland of Malvern. |
I would 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.
"Honor, Fidelity, Courage"(73rd Cav Motto)