SGT Brad Lindsey, Farewell and Walk with God
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Nathaniel B. Lindsey, 38, of Troutdale, Oregon, died on September 9 in Shajoy, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his HMMWV encountered undetermined ordnance from enemy forces during patrol operations. Lindsey was assigned to the Army National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team, Portland, Oregon and part of the 205th Regional Corps Advisory Group, part of Task Force Phoenix, responsible for training the Afghan National Army. He was a gunner in an uparmored HMMVV.
SGT Brad Lindsey is the first of Oregon's 41st Brigade Combat Team to die since the brigade deployed in June 2006 for a yearlong mission. Part of the Oregon National Guard, he was part of the largest wartime deployment of the ONG since WWII. 900 soldiers are in Afghanistan to help train the Afghan military. The initial reports say that his unit, along with Afghan soldiers came upon a false checkpoint set up by the Taliban, and were attacked with IED's and RPG's. Four Afghan soldiers were killed, and one American and six Afghans were wounded in the attack.
SGT Lindsey first served four years in the Navy aboard the USS Enterprise. He had been in the Oregon National Guard for eleven years. He deployed five times in that time. Recent deployments: to Iraq as an infantryman in 2003, to Katrina last year, and to Afghanistan this year. He volunteered to go on the Afghanistan mission. In civilian life, he was an armored-car driver.
SGT Lindsey is survived by his wife Joyce, three step-children, his daughter, parents and grandparents. His oldest stepson was also a member of the Oregon National Guard.
His wife, Joyce, said, "Bottom line is God decides when it's his time. The Taliban doesn't decide that.
A story about Brad. He was a fan of a local radio show. When home on leave from Iraq, Joyce made arrangements for Brad to visit with Lars Larson. Brad brought him gifts - a cigar liberated from a palace, a mug with his unit insignia and some old Iraqi dinars. He told Lars to keep the dinars so he would always know the face of evil (Saddam). Lars keeps them in his wallet.
Photos and Story Reference: Salem News
Other Information: The Oregonian
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