Task Force Baghdad troops honor life of fallen comrade

Photo By Sgt. Matthew Wester | A Soldier clutches the identification tags of Sgt. Dominic J. Sacco, an Albany, N.Y., native and member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, during a memorial ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq on Nov. 23. Sacco, a tank commander for 1-13's A Company, was killed in combat during a patrol northwest of Baghdad on Nov. 20. "Think of a sergeant who you know is the heartbeat of your organization. If you are doing so, you are thinking of someone very much like Sgt. Dominic Sacco," said Lt. Col. Eric J. Wesley, commander of 1-13, Armor Bn., nicknamed the "Dakota" battalion. "The Sgt. Saccos of this Army throw themselves into the breach with great honor and bravery."  

TAJI, IRAQ

11.28.2005

Courtesy Story

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Sgt. Matthew Wester
3/1 AD PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq " A platoon of tankers sat silently in a crowded chapel. One blue chair was empty beside them. It was the seat that would have been occupied by one of their sergeants, but he was gone -- lost to a terrorist's violence.

Soldiers of A Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division and others remembered Sgt. Dominic J. Sacco in a ceremony Nov. 23.

Sacco, a tank commander for A Co., was killed in combat during a patrol northwest of Baghdad three days earlier.

"Think of a sergeant who you know is the heartbeat of your organization. If you are doing so, you are thinking of someone very much like Sgt. Dominic Sacco," said Lt. Col. Eric J. Wesley, commander of 1-13. "The Sgt. Saccos of this Army throw themselves into the breach with great honor and bravery.

"Sgt. Sacco was a key leader in A Company and had a very challenging mission," he continued, adding that Sacco patrolled and secured a dangerous stretch of road, keeping commerce moving and logistics convoys in transit through the Baghdad area of operations.

Wesley pointed out that Sacco was a dependable leader and one of the best tank gunners in his battalion.

A Co. Commander Capt. Jason Marshall also talked about Sacco's superior troop leading and soldiering skills.

"Sgt. Sacco represented everything you expect from a U.S. Soldier. He was professional, he was aggressive, and he was as tough as nails," Marshall said. "He was the exact sort of Soldier you would want to go to war with and have by your side the whole time."

He said Sacco served as the gunner on his tank, and he was such an excellent leader that he earned a tank commander position in the company.

"I was reluctant to give him up because I knew he was the best gunner in the company, but I also knew he would excel as a tank commander," Marshall said.

Sacco shared his expertise with other Soldiers. Staff Sgt. Kurt Daniel, his best friend in the company, remembered how Sacco mentored him.

"This wonderful man taught me everything I know and use as a non-commissioned officer in today's Army," Daniel said, adding that Sacco was a selfless person, who always thought about the welfare of his Soldiers.

"He was a standard bearer and he believed in Soldiers first before anything else," he said. "We would often talk about the Soldiers and the mission, but he always put the Soldiers before himself."

Daniel gave deeper insight into his fallen friend's personality. He described him as deeply competitive and consistently positive regardless of the situation.

"He wanted to be the best no matter what he was doing," he said. "His personality was unmatched by anyone I've ever known. Everyone loved him and loved even more to be around him."

Marshall said Sacco was known for his quick wit and he always lightened the mood when he was around.

"He always had a positive attitude and a snappy comeback to every joke," he said. "Sgt. Sacco's leadership, his unique personality and his sense of humor will be greatly missed."

Battalion Chaplain (Capt.) Jeff Bartels talked about that sense of loss and how to deal with it.

"Over the past few days, there have been many questions asked. I know as I heard the report Sunday morning I asked, 'Why him? Why now?'" Bartels said. "Many of you here have asked the same questions. It is always difficult to cope with loss."

Bartels encouraged the Soldiers gathered at the memorial to remember that there are causes and plans larger than themselves and to rely on their faith to get them through.

"The job each of us has to do cannot be done without trusting," he said. "In so doing, our strength is found and strength for each day comes. This is the heart of being a Soldier, the essence of being a Soldier, and this was the core of Dominic J. Sacco."

After all the speakers finished, the A Co. first sergeant called the roll. When he called Sacco's name, there was a long silence and then the soft playing of "Taps."

The blue chair remained empty.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2005
• Date Posted: 11.28.2005 15:47
• Story ID: 3895
• Location: TAJI, IQ