New patrol base named for hero who died securing area

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

12.24.2007

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd Lt. William Perdue
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – Heroes deserve to be memorialized, especially those who give their lives to save the lives of others.

Newly established Patrol Base Kelsey is named in honor of Sgt. Samuel Kelsey, who was killed Dec. 13 by an improvised explosive device near Kidhr while attempting to render aid to a wounded Soldier.

Kelsey, who was with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was part of the main effort of Marne Roundup, an operation to clear suspected al-Qaida in Iraq from the Khidr area of North Babil and to establish a patrol base for Iraqi security forces and coalition forces.

Within a few days of Kelsey's death, Company B seized the town of Kidhr, just a few kilometers north of where Kelsey died. Once the main part of the assault was complete and Kidhr secured, the Company B commander made the recommendation to name the new patrol base after Kelsey, in honor of the courageous Soldier and non-commissioned officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"The sacrifice that Sgt. Samuel Kelsey gave was monumental in the establishment of the patrol base, and it is fitting that we name the patrol base in his honor as an acknowledgement of his selfless actions on Dec. 13 where he moved to the aid of a fellow comrade in spite of the recognized risk to his own life," said Lt. Col. Timothy Newsome, commander of 3-7th Inf. Regt.

From Patrol Base Kelsey, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces will conduct patrols to provide security and bring stability to the local population.

"Naming the patrol base after Sgt. Samuel Kelsey has meant a lot to the leadership and the Soldiers of this company," said Capt. Chris Neels. "Kelsey was a phenomenal NCO who gave his life trying to save a wounded comrade. Enough can't be said of him or his actions that day. Each time we clear routes in the area or hear Patrol Base Kelsey over the radio, we'll be reminded of his heroic actions and our friend."

• Date Taken: 12.24.2007
• Date Posted: 12.24.2007 14:13
• Story ID: 14974
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ