Sgt. Richard L. Ford -- Connecticut Soldier Dies In Iraq
Connecticut Soldier Dies in Iraq of Combat Wounds
A North Carolina-based soldier on his third tour of duty in Iraq died earlier this week from wounds suffered in combat, the military said Thursday.
Sgt. Richard L. Ford, 40, of East Hartford, died Tuesday in Baghdad. Ford was a paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
"Sergeant Ford honorably served with the White Falcons distinctly for the three years," said battalion commander LT. COL. Richard Kim. "Richard possessed all the qualities of a great paratrooper."
He joined the Army National Guard 1995 and entered active duty in 2004. A decorated soldier, Ford had previously served in Iraq from December 2004 and March 2005. His second tour was from September 2005 through December 2005. He was a recipient of the Army Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among several other honors.
His son, Michael Patrick, of Bridgeport, called Ford his "greatest hero."
"I would like everyone to know that I'm extremely proud of my dad's service to our country," he said in a statement. "I love him deeply and will miss him terribly."
Ford was the 37th person with Connecticut ties who has died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his father Mason Ford, of Colchester, a brother and a sister. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
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Sgt. Richard L. Ford - DoD Identifies Army Casualty
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DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Richard L. Ford, 40, of East Hartford, Conn., died Feb. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. Ford was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. For further information in regard to this release the media can contact the 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-0661 .
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Fallen State Soldier Mourned -- Sgt. Richard L. Ford
Fallen state soldier mourned
BRIDGEPORT — Sgt. Richard L. Ford, who died of combat wounds on Tuesday, was a remarkable man who loved and supported his young son, the mother of his child said.
"He was very family-oriented and believed in taking care of his family," Alicia Patrick said.
Patrick, 38, who lives with her 11-year-old son, Michael Patrick, and her parents on North Summerfield Avenue, said although they were separated, Ford always visited them when he was on leave.
Michael Patrick attends the Classic Studies School in the city.
"He loves music and his father bought him a drum set," Alicia Patrick said. "His father was always thinking about him. His death has been very tough on all of us."
Ford, of East Hartford, joined the Fort Bragg, N.C.-based White Falcons unit in 2004 and was on his third tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed, the military said.
"Sgt. Ford honorably served with the White Falcons distinctly for the three years," his commander, Lt. Col. Richard Kim, said in a statement. "Richard possessed all the qualities of a great paratrooper. He contributed immensely to the readiness of the organization and will be sorely missed."
Ford was the 37th person with Connecticut ties who has died in Iraq or Afghanistan since March 2002.
Ford, 40, joined the Army National Guard in 1995 and entered active duty in 2004. That's when he was assigned to the White Falcons, the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
The unit traces its beginnings to an infantry regiment activated in 1917 in Georgia that was known as the "All-American Division." Since then, the regiment has played key roles in major U.S. military operations, according to the unit's Web site. The group helped provide security for the October 2005 Iraqi national referendum and two months later Iraq's national parliamentary election.
A decorated soldier, Ford had previously served in Iraq from December 2004 to March 2005. His second tour was from September 2005 through December 2005. He was a recipient of the Army Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, among several other honors.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his father, Mason Ford, of Colchester, a brother and a sister. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell Friday ordered U.S. and state of Connecticut flags to be lowered to half staff to honor Ford. Flags will remain at half-staff until Sgt. Ford has been interred. Patrick said she didn't have information about the funeral arrangements.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17311814/