Kevin J. Ellenburg

Kevin J. Ellenburg

Company B 1-22 Infantry

4th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

KIA November 1, 2006

Kevin Ellenburg -- in his Pace High School jersey

Pensacola News journal

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com

Published - November, 9, 2006

Pace grad killed in Iraq

Tom Ninestine
tninestine@pnj.com

Pace High School will honor the memory of Pfc. Kevin Ellenburg, a 2004 graduate, during its annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 21.

Ellenburg, 20, of Middleburg, Fla., was killed Nov. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Ft. Hood, Texas.

Ellenburg was a "very likeable young man and a total gentleman," said Stephanie Jernigan-Watson, who taught Ellenburg during his senior year.

The wide receiver was a good athlete who worked hard, his coach, Mickey Lindsey, recalled Wednesday night.

Lindsey heard about Ellenburg's death last week and said he wasn't surprised the young man gave his life for his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"He was special and unique," Lindsey said.

Lindsey said Ellenburg's death makes him realize that many people take their freedom for granted.

"These young men are giving up their lives to give us the freedoms we have," he said. "We probably don't appreciate it."

Keith Kirchharr, golf coach at Pace High School, also knew Ellenburg. He said Ellenburg was a popular, likable student.

"It's tragic," Kirchharr said. "I've lived in Pace all my life. When it hits home like that, it's tragic."

Pensacola News journal

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com

**********************

PFC Kevin Ellenburg's decorations

Kevin Ellenburg's team spirit and sense of humor kept the Pace Patriots loose during football season.The wide receiver was a good athlete
who worked hard, his coach, Mickey Lindsey, recalled Wednesday night. Ellenburg, a 2004 Pace High graduate, was killed Nov. 1 in Baghdad,
Iraq, from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device. The Department of Defense on Tuesday announced that Ellenburg,
a private first class, died when the explosive detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. No other details were available Wednesday night.
Ellenburg, 20, of Middleburg, southwest of Jacksonville, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
out of Fort Hood, Texas. Lindsey heard about Ellenburg's death last week and said he wasn't surprised the young man gave his life for his country
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "He was special and unique," Lindsey said. Lindsey said Ellenburg's death makes him realize that many people
take their freedom for granted. "These young men are giving up their lives to give us the freedoms we have," he said. "We probably don't appreciate it."
Keith Kirchharr, golf coach at Pace High School, also knew Ellenburg. He said Ellenburg was a popular, likable student. "It's tragic,"
Kirchharr said. "I've lived in Pace all my life. When it hits home like that, it's tragic."

**********************

Kevin with the guidon for B Company 1-22 Infantry

**********************

The grave marker for Kevin J. Ellenburg

Pfc. Kevin J. Ellenburg of Middleburg, Fla., Tucked between his desire to someday be a sports trainer and a fervent hope to be home in Florida
with his brother, the soldier wanted to die doing something for his country. He is the son of a Navy veteran, and enlisted in September 2005.
He was expected home in December and planned to re-enlist when his tour was up. He attended Orange Park Junior High then he moved to Pensacola
with his family. There, he played varsity football for Pace High School. He moved back to Clay County when he came of age to live with his older brother,
and the two became close once again before he joined the Army. His military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal
and the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Expert M-16. He was 20.

Photo and text from the Find A Grave website

**********************

BACK