Photo By Staff Sgt. Gregory Summers | Col. Paul H. Fredenburgh III, 1st Signal Brigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj....... read more read more
By Spc. Gregory T. Summers, 1st Signal Brigade Public Affairs Office
USAG HUMPHREYS, South Korea – 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion held a memorial service on May 13 at the MP Hill Fitness Center on USAG Humphreys to honor the loss of one of their young warrior communicators.
Spc. Carl A. Lissone, 20, an Information Technology Specialist, Bravo Company, 304th ESB, 1st Signal Brigade, a native of Covington, Ga., was pronounced dead at the Good Morning Hospital in Pyeongtaek on May 4.
Brigade and battalion leadership, Soldiers and civilians came from across the Korean peninsula to attend the ceremony to pay their respects and honor Lissone, his family and his friends.
Lt. Col. Vanessa K. Ragsdale, 304th ESB Commander, said that Lissone was a dedicated son and Soldier in her battalion. “Lissone was committed to his career in the Army and trained to become the best Soldier possible. He served his country honorably and was devoted to the mission and his fellow Soldiers.”
Lissone was born on June 4, 1993 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from Lithonia High School and entered the Army on Nov. 6, 2012. Lissone attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and graduated from advanced individual training at Fort Gordon. He successfully completed the requirements to become a U.S. Army Soldier and serve as an IT specialist (25B), one of the most demanded military occupational specialties in signal.
Lissone became a part of the Bravo Company/304th ESB family when he reported to USAG Humphreys for his first duty assignment. Lissone will be remembered by his chain of command and peers for being a hard worker, ready to learn and willing to do what it took for mission success.
“It troubles me to stand here today to reflect on a life unnecessarily cut short,” Ragsdale said. “In our profession, we acknowledge the fact that we may lose a Soldier. We plan and prepare ourselves in hopes that we won’t have to deal with it. We prepare ourselves to lose a Soldier, but no matter how much we train, we are never really ready.”
Capt. William C. Yi, 304th ESB Chaplain, said, “Over the past week I have listened to those who knew him well. It has quickly become apparent that he was a leader, a dependable friend and a colleague whom everyone enjoyed working with. He was a good Soldier to his fellow Soldiers and the radiance of his personality and his enthusiasm brought tremendous joy, happiness and excellence into the lives of everyone around him.”
Capt. Justin E. James, Bravo Company Commander, said Lissone he saw right away that Lissone was a talented Soldier and assigned him the difficult task of managing the local area network for their Battalion Command Post Node. “You can ask any Soldier in expeditionary signal battalion,” James said, “this is no easy task.”
James explained how Bravo Company 1st Sgt. Melissa Abrams and himself had handpicked Lissone for a 30-day assignment during Key Resolve 2014 to give a helping hand to the Korea Battlefield Simulation Center at Suwon Air Base. “We selected him for his maturity and his expertise in all things signal. No mission was too difficult and in the absence of specific guidance, he was quick to take charge,” said James. He added that Lissone was the type of Soldier any commander would want.
Lissone was also an active member of the Pyeongtaek community (the city just outside the gate of USAG Humphreys). “During his free time, he would visit the Ay Hyang Orphanage where he would read stories to small children,” added James, “and for the older teenagers, he would sit down beside them and review English textbooks.”
“Lissone wasn’t coaxed into doing things like this,” James said. “He volunteered and by his actions, he has strengthened the alliance between our two nations.”
Two Soldiers also spoke at the memorial ceremony recalling their fondest memories and helping those who did not personally know Lissone, understand just what kind of Soldier he was.
Sgt. Kevin J. Bownes, Lissone’s team chief for Command Post Node 62532, said, “Lissone was an outstanding Soldier. One of his best qualities was that he could always brighten your day. It truly saddens me that a very intelligent, talented and intuitive Soldier will not be around anymore. But, he will never be forgotten.”
Spc. Celessia D. Cannon, a senior transmission team chief, added, “He never saw defeat no matter the obstacle. There was always a way in his eyes. While it pains me to be up here, I am proud to have known him and built a friendship with him.”
“God bless Spc. Lissone’s family, his co-workers and friends,” Yi said. “As time moves forward may we find strength in the precious memories that remain behind. Spc. Lissone, a son, a friend and a great Soldier of the U.S. Army who will not be forgotten.”
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2014 01:57 |
| Story ID: | 129819 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR |
| Web Views: | 1,430 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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