US Army Spc. James M. Kiehl

After graduating from Comfort High School in 2000, James M. Kiehl enlisted in the US Army. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, then went to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for computer training. After graduating 3rd in his class, he was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, with the 507th Maintenance Company, where he repaired computers and fiber optics. During his time at Fort Bliss, he received several achievement awards for exceptional service. On February 17, 2003, his unit deployed to Kuwait in preparation for the march on Bagdad. The 507th Maintenance Company came under attack in Ah Nasiriyah, Iraq, and during the ambush he manned his vehicle's Squad Automatic Weapon and defended his unit. Though he fought gallantly, he was mortally injured in the battle and died of his wounds on March 23, 2003. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Purple Heart for his actions that day. He was survived by his wife Jill Marie Oliver Kiehl, son Nathaniel Ethan Kiehl, father Randy Carl Kiehl, and mother Janie Kiehl.

Boerne, Texas · United States