TF Patriot honors fallen comrade

Courtesy Photo | A photo of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Milley (2nd Lt. rank in photo).  

LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

12.13.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matt Meadows
Task Force Patriot Public Affairs

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of Task Force Patriot gathered to honor U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Milley during a memorial service at Combat Outpost Baraki Barak Dec. 5.

Milley was a 23-year-old Sudbury, Mass., native assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment’s Task Force Storm, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Polk, La. He died from wounds he suffered during a small-arms attack while on a combined patrol in the Baraki Barak District Nov. 30.

Senior leaders and subordinates who spoke about Milley during a recent memorial service talked about his unforgettable and infectious smile. The TF Storm soldiers who knew him best said he had the type of personality that never allowed him to give into negativity and always attempted to fill his voracious appetite for life.

“Scott Milley was the most upbeat, optimistic, happy-go-lucky guy I’ve known in my entire life. He genuinely cared about everything he did and [every] person he met,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Smith of Tempe, Ariz. “He made any person he ever met better, and this world is a better place for it. Anybody who ever had the pleasure of meeting him knows that he had an infectious, kid-like smile and personality.”

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Austin McNaul from Eden Prairie, Minn., said Milley was a “goofball” at first, but then decided Milley had life figured out. “[He] saw the pointlessness in posturing or the typical alpha male stuff.”

“I think Scott taught us all the most important lesson life in how to treat one another. Scott showed compassion and love to us even when we didn’t deserve it,” McNaul said. “Against any odds, Scott would not give in to negativity. I truly believe life is all about the people you share it with; and Scott was the best, because he consumed life ... Scott had the uncanny ability to see past any immediate trials or tribulations, put the situation in perspective and smile at the absurdity of life.”

U.S. Army Capt. Paul Rothlisberger of Waynesboro, Va., Company C commander, said he will remember a lot about Milley: positivity, finger graffiti, daydreaming during meetings and using emoticons on official correspondence. Most of all, he said he’ll recall Milley shouldering more than his fair share of the load to accomplish any and every task before him; giving “100 percent, and then some.”

Rothlisberger said if he had an opportunity to go back and talk with Milley one more time, he would have apologized to Milley for not being with him in Ma’sum Shah during the mission there.

“As usual, you did what needed to be done, in a style completely your own - a combination of tenacity and humor that set you apart from the rest of us,” Rothlisberger said he would share with his fallen platoon leader. “You are a remarkably talented leader and an irreplaceable friend. Your perspective is your greatest gift, a gift you share with everyone around you.”

Smith said he thinks back to Nov. 30 to replay in his mind whether or not his being with Milley would have somehow made a difference. Then he thinks of Milley’s character and what he might say about the situation.

“[He would] probably crack that addictive smile of his and a soft chuckle and say that, ‘It’s not your fault; just take care of the guys,’” Smith said. “Because I know for sure that’s the one thing that he cared about above all else. Scott was more than just a leader to his soldiers; he was a dear friend. And for me, he was more than a friend; he was my best friend and brother and always will be. I love you man, and I miss you more than I thought it was possible to miss someone.”

The TF Storm commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ramsey of Greenville, N.C., described Milley as a tremendous platoon leader and the type of officer that you want leading men in combat. He said Milley led from the front, put his soldiers’ needs before his own and pursued objectives with relentless passion.

“I will honor my comrade by staying the course, focused on the goals and objectives that we established for this deployment and continuing to pursue the objectives to provide peace to the good people of Afghanistan,” Ramsey said. “I believe that is what Scott would want us to do. That is what is needed and how we honor our fallen - continue the mission and take care of each other.”

“There was no end to what he was willing to give. His life is a testament to eternal optimism,” said McNaul. “He changed my perception of what being a warrior and leader was. A lot of people talk about things like the golden rule and servant leadership, but Scott lived it. Scott had a positive impact on each and every person he interacted with. I don’t think there is any better epitaph than that.”

• Date Taken: 12.13.2010
• Date Posted: 12.13.2010 07:37
• Story ID: 61864
• Location: LOGAR PROVINCE, AF