Photo By Christina McCann | Soldiers mourn fallen comrades Staff Sgt. Joseph Weiglein, a native of Audubon, N.J.,...... read more read more
Subscribe
PATROL BASE DRAGON, Iraq – Two Soldiers were remembered and mourned at a memorial ceremony June 6 at Patrol Base Dragon on the banks of Iraq's Euphrates River.
Sgt. Richard Correa and Staff Sgt. Joseph Weiglein of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., were killed May 29 by an improvised explosive device while patrolling not far from the base.
"Staff Sgt. Weiglein was a true leader," said Co. A commander Capt. Daniel Hurd, a native of Charlottesville, Va. "He led by example and from the front, through his actions and words, not solely through rank."
Correa, a native of Honolulu, thrived on the rigors of combat, Hurd said. "Whether he was just getting back from a patrol, sitting on a guard position, or attempting to shower on top of a pallet during the early stages of PB Dragon, he always looked like he was having a better time than anyone else."
Staff Sgt. Ruben Paredes, another squad leader, recalled his constant good-natured arguments with Weiglein about whose squad was better, and a recent conversation with Weiglein's wife Jennifer.
"I didn't know what to say at first...after a few minutes she told me she was preparing a box for Joseph for his birthday that was coming up on June 6...it made me cry."
Spc. Jordan Cron of Hodgenville, Ky., remembered Correa as a leader who wasn't afraid of work and was close to his Soldiers.
"In the time spent over here in Iraq, he became like a brother to me. That bond is one that I believe is only shared between guys that do what we do. It's not like the brotherly love you feel towards your best friend at home."
Weiglein is survived by his wife Jennifer, who lives in Mexico, N.Y., and his mother Joan and father Michael of Audubon, N.J.
His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, an Air Assault badge and a Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Correa is survived by his mother Minda and father Ricardo who reside in the Philippines.
His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, an Airborne Badge, an Air Assault badge, a Ranger tab and a Combat Infantryman's Badge.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2007 08:43 |
| Story ID: | 10740 |
| Location: | PATROL BASE DRAGON, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,175 |
| Downloads: | 901 |
This work, Fallen comrades remembered at Patrol Base Dragon, by Christina McCann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
