War Takes Deadly Toll on 101st Airborne
December 27, 2010
Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- The 101st Airborne Division, a force in America's major conflicts since World War II, is seeing its worst casualties in a decade as the U.S. surge in Afghanistan turns into the deadliest year in that war for the NATO coalition.

The Army division known as the Screaming Eagles, formed ahead of the 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy, has lost 104 men this year -- or about 1 in 5 American deaths in Afghanistan. That is close to a toll of 105 divisional deaths in Iraq during a 2005-2006 deployment that was its deadliest year in combat since Vietnam.

The 20,000-strong division from Fort Campbell has been fighting in two of Afghanistan's most violent regions, the south and the east, since it began deploying in February under President Obama's plan to roll back the Taliban with more troops. It is the first time the 101st has deployed in its entirety since Gen. David Petraeus led the division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Few are as directly involved in dealing with each Soldier's death as Kimberley McKenzie, the chief of Fort Campbell's casualty assistance center.



Among the first to be notified after a combat death, McKenzie and her nine staffers ensure families are informed quickly, helping them over the ensuing weeks and months to navigate a maze of paperwork and decisions.

"We can get the calls at 2 o'clock in the morning, and that happens seven days a week," she said.

In her office, signs of the somber work are everywhere. Electronic bugles -- which now replace live renditions of "Taps" at many military funerals -- are lined up in cases. A folded American flag, ready to be presented to a wife or a mother, sits on a desk. Wooden ceremonial display cases for a Soldier's awards and decorations are stored atop filing cabinets. A large whiteboard on one wall displays the names of dozens of Soldiers who have died this year.

McKenzie, 46, has been doing this job at Fort Campbell on the Tennessee-Kentucky state line since the 1990s, through the Desert Storm and Desert Shield operations in Iraq in 1990 and 1991 to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"I have been here so long, which can be a blessing and a curse because you know so many of the Soldiers," she said.

After the initial call, her team hurries to find a Soldier's family. From the moment the death of a Soldier is confirmed with the Department of the Army, regulations give them just four hours to notify the primary next of kin.

Often, it's a nationwide search for parents or spouses who are far from Fort Campbell. A family may have moved and not told the Army, listed information may be incorrect or the Soldier may be estranged from relatives. Too often, she says, a family member is listed as "address unknown."

She relies on counterparts at other military installations nationwide for help.

The notification process is highly regulated. Word must be delivered in person. Scripts are memorized and read exactly, because there's no room for error when giving the saddest news to a Soldier's family. Even a simple typo or an incorrect rank is disrespectful, she says.

"At that moment, we have either gained their trust, or we have lost it forever," she said. "They need to be able to trust us from the time we knock at the door until they don't need our assistance anymore."

Once family is notified, her staff helps arrange for relatives to meet the body at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The military is responsible for preparing the body, securing a casket and transporting the remains for the funeral. Within about seven to 10 days after the death, the family visits Fort Campbell to be briefed on what is afforded survivors, including benefits, life insurance payments, social security and health insurance.

Her staff is also responsible for non-combat deaths, such as auto accidents or illness and sometimes suicides or homicides.

She has learned to set aside her own pain over the loss of so many young men and women. Her focus, she said, is on supporting the widows and parents and children.

"We have a job to do for those families and we owe it to them and the commander," McKenzie said.

Still, she says she cannot ignore the large numbers of Soldiers who have died, and the sorrow she bottles up sometimes spills over. On average, 11 Fort Campbell Soldiers have died each month in combat since March.

"At the end of the month, it's almost sickening to me as a person," she said.

This month, the division lost six Soldiers in a building leveled by an explosives-packed vehicle at a southern Afghanistan base. In November, six other Soldiers were shot and killed by a gunman from the Afghan Border Police during a training mission in eastern Afghanistan.

But, but, but, but, but, but, Pelosi promised all troops would return home as soon as O'bama was elected as Commander in Chief. What happened?

For those AR members who have not made a NOK call or served as a casualty assistance officer,let me assure you it is a task you will not forget.

My son is an infantry officer in a unit being deployed to replace the 101st in Eastern Afghanistan in April.

Not the kind of article I like to read!

God bless your son and his comrades.

Typical of the MSM not to note the dead tali's that the Screaming Eagles have probably piled higher than a house. You notice they never mention that. Go Eagles! Killem' all and let GOD sort 'em out. GOD bless our fighter men and women!

Another note neighbor's son whom I have known since he was born is head to Afghanistan in Feb. He's a Marine mortar man and tough as hell. Kid has turned into a man, thanks to the Marines and a great dad!

As a former Infantryman in the 101st and combat vet, my hat is off to those guys. Also hoping they get out of there soon.

God Bless 'em. they're doing the world's toughest job.

DaMan, is that a photo of Milton Lee Olive III?

quote:

Originally posted by JIm Yackley:
DaMan, is that a photo of Milton Lee Olive III?

Yackman, that's James Marshall Hendrix. He was in the 101st.

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:

quote:

Originally posted by JIm Yackley:
DaMan, is that a photo of Milton Lee Olive III?

Yackman, that's James Marshall Hendrix. He was in the 101st.

Knew how to pick a guitar, didn't he?

Not to be a non-believer, but just when did Mr. Hendrix serve in the 101st?

quote:

Originally posted by JIm Yackley:
Not to be a non-believer, but just when did Mr. Hendrix serve in the 101st?

Went in May 1961......don't know when he was discharged.

quote:

Originally posted by JIm Yackley:
Not to be a non-believer, but just when did Mr. Hendrix serve in the 101st?

"Hendrix got into trouble with the law twice for riding in stolen cars. He was given a choice between spending two years in prison or joining the Army. Hendrix chose the latter and enlisted on May 31, 1961. After completing basic training, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His commanding officers and fellow soldiers considered him to be a subpar soldier: he slept while on duty, had little regard for regulations, required constant supervision, and showed no skill as a marksman. For these reasons, his commanding officers submitted a request that Hendrix be discharged from the military after he had served only one year. Hendrix did not object when the opportunity to leave arose."

God bless those guys over there sticking it out. Whenever we thought we had it rough in south Baghdad we reminded ourselves of 1st Bde, 101st Airborne across the river who were dealing with tough times like these guys are.

hendrix sure was daman. why am i not surprised?

Sputster,

my sincere thanks for your service, and welcome home.

Rich
Sua Sponte

quote:

Originally posted by xgrunt:
God bless your son and his comrades.

AMEN