Army Staff Sgt John G. Doles

KIA September 30, 2005 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

29, of Claremore, Okla.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, Vicenza, Italy, killed Sep. 30 during patrol operations when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire in Shah Wali, Afghanistan.

Born 6/6/1976 - Died 9/30/2005 During patrol operations when his unit was ambushed by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire in Shah Wali, Afghanistan.

He was squad leader in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 508th infantry, 173r Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy where he lived with his wife Heather, their 12 year old son, and 9 year old daughter. John’s friends described him as an outgoing friend, devoted father and a soldier eager to serve.

His first combat tour was in Iraq, parachuting into the country in the opening days of the war in the largest combat jump since World War II.

John knew his stuff,” said Sgt. Brian Waterman, Dole’s friend and platoon sergeant when they served together at Fort Polk, La. “I believe all of us here know how big a heart John had,” Waterman told the more than 200 people crammed into the First Christian Church. “When we were all in Iraq with no e-mail, no phones, John still made sure Heather got flowers on her birthday.”

Doles’ death made the distant wars far more personal for the people of his hometown. And many brimmed with anger when a half-dozen members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., showed up shortly before his funeral. Late that evening he became the first Patriot Guard Mission.

Awarded: Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal