Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

82nd Abn. Div. PAO

	Ricketts

Four paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division were killed last week while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. William Ricketts, a 27-year-old native of Corinth, Miss., was killed Saturday after his unit came under small-arms fire while conducting a patrol in Badghis province, Afghanistan. Ricketts was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

“Staff Sergeant William Seth Ricketts was a man with great values, dedication and love like no other for his Family and country,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Kirchner, Ricketts’ platoon leader. “This was his fifth tour of duty while serving in ‘Battle Company’ (Company B) in support of the War on Terror and it showed as a Soldier, a leader and a friend. I feel honored and privileged to have served with this true warrior.”

	Gelig

Ricketts enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in February 2002. He attended One Station Unit Training and Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of his training, Ricketts reported to Fort Bragg and was assigned to 3rd Bn., 504th PIR. Ricketts deployed on three separate occasions with 3rd Bn., 504th PIR; once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.

In January 2006, 3rd Bn. 504th PIR was re-designated as 1st Bn., 508th PIR. Ricketts stayed with the unit and deployed in January 2007 to Afghanistan for 15 months. In August 2009, he deployed with 1st Bn., 508 PIR to Afghanistan, his fifth combat deployment.

	Crumpler

“Battle Company will continue to honor his memory on and off the battlefield,” Kirchner said. “You will be truly missed brother, and we love you.”

Ricketts is survived by his wife, Susanna, his two sons, William and Oliver, and his parents, William and Sandra Ricketts of Glenn, Miss.

Spc. Ian Gelig, a 25-year-old native of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., died Monday when the vehicle he was traveling in was struck by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Gelig was assigned to Co. A, 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

	Huston

“Gelig was a good friend and great person,” said Spc. David Tryon, a fellow paratrooper from Company A. “He was always there for you when you needed something. He will be deeply missed by everyone in this unit, for a piece of us went with him.”

Gelig enlisted in the Army as a motor transport operator in October 2006. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Okla., followed by Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning. Upon graduation from his training, Gelig reported to Fort Bragg and was assigned to the 126th Transportation Company. While with the 126th TC, he deployed to Kuwait for 15 months in July 2007. In May 2009, Gelig was re-assigned to the 782nd BSB, and deployed to Afghanistan in August 2009.

“Gelig will always be with us,” said Pvt. Antonio Santos, a paratrooper from Company A. “From the day you arrived you touched everyone’s heart. You made us laugh, you made us smile, and you kept us from falling apart.”

Gelig is survived by his parents, Tim and Delia, and his two sisters, Vanessa and Liana.

Spc. Josiah Crumpler, a 27-year-old native of Hillsborough, N.C., and Spc. Matthew Huston, a 24-year-old native of Athens, Ga., were killed Monday when their patrol came under attack from small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in Badghis Province, Afghanistan. Both paratroopers were assigned to Co. A, 1st Bn., 508th PIR, 4th BCT.

“Specialist Crumpler was constantly seeking to improve his knowledge as a Soldier,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Mahoney, a squad leader in Co. A. “His level of commitment was not something you see every day. Specialist Huston was every bit as committed by going above and beyond to step up and take on the role of a team leader. They were both great Soldiers and people, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their Families.”

Crumpler enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in March 2008, and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning. Upon completion of his infantry training, Crumpler attended Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning. He reported to Fort Bragg in July 2008 and was assigned to the 1st Bn., 508th PIR in December 2008. He deployed with the unit in August 2009.

Crumpler is survived by his parents, Dennis and Pamela Crumpler.

Huston enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in February 2007. He attended One Station Unit Training and Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning. Upon graduation of his training in October 2007, he reported to Fort Bragg where he was assigned to the 1st Bn., 508th PIR. Huston deployed to Afghanistan for five months in December 2007. In August 2009, he deployed for a second time with the 1st Bn., 508th PIR to Afghanistan.

Huston is survived by his wife, Whitney, and his parents, Philip and Ronda Huston.

A memorial in their honor will be held in Afghanistan.