Story by: Sgt. Sean Kimmons
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MCHENRY, Iraq -- Like many Soldiers, Spc. David P. Mahlenbrock faced danger each day while deployed in Iraq.
But Mahlenbrock's duties as a Sapper or combat engineer were different and a lot more dangerous than most others.
Mahlenbrock participated in numerous ordnance destruction missions conducted by Company B, 65th Engineer Battalion, where he and other Sappers have removed many tons of ordnance from deserted old Iraqi Army bunkers.
These munitions were often used by insurgents who built improvised explosive devices out of them to injure and sometimes kill Soldiers and Iraqi people.
On top of these hazardous missions, Mahlenbrock also risked his life on many route clearance missions. The objective of these missions was to clear IEDs from main supply routes.
"As a Sapper, David's courage during route clearance and ordnance destruction missions helped protect the lives of many Iraqi civilians and many of us here today," said Capt. Matthew Bryant, commander of Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn.
It is this courage that eventually caught up to Mahlenbrock while returning to this base from a route clearance mission on Dec. 3.
An IED, which he has hunted for previously in many route clearances, exploded onto his vehicle and took the 20-year-old's life.
Five days later, hundreds of Soldiers gathered here to attend a memorial ceremony and pay tribute to Mahlenbrock.
"I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Spc. David Paul Mahlenbrock," Sgt. Stephen Fritz, Mahlenbrock's team leader, said during the ceremony. "He was a great Soldier as well as a great friend."
Fritz went on to say that Mahlenbrock was known as "Brock" to his fellow Sappers, and displayed integrity, loyalty and selfless service in his job performance.
"Brock took his job seriously in mind and heart, and had true passion of being a combat engineer," Fritz said.
"I will always keep you in heart and mind, Brock. You will always be a part of first squad, second platoon, and will be missed by all of us," Fritz said.
With his untimely death, Mahlenbrock now joins a dedicated few.
"David is with a special group of Americans now," Bryant said while speaking at the ceremony. "Those Americans who fully understand the price of freedom, the sacrifice to maintain these liberties we hold so dear to our hearts.
"We will one day walk again with David," Bryant added.
Mahlenbrock's squad leader, Sgt. Shannon Williams, then spoke to the audience about how his Soldier spread holiday cheer.
"I will never forget when he bought a Christmas CD right after Halloween and how he played it every single day," Williams said. "It would always brighten everyone's day.
"His memory I will always hold near and dear to my heart, especially around Christmas," Williams said.
Unfortunately, Mahlenbrock will not see the rest of this holiday season or especially his wife, Melissa and baby daughter, Kadence, who he adored so much.
"His wife, Melissa and newborn baby daughter, Kadence, were a special part of his life," Fritz said. "He would speak of them often and even make crafts and poems for them."
Mahlenbrock first met his newborn daughter in October while home on rest and relaxation.
"He returned with a huge smile on his face, telling everyone in the company that his daughter was so beautiful," Bryant said.
Mahlenbrock, a New Jersey native, was a M240B gunner as well as a combat engineer for Co. B, 65th Eng. Bn., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light).
| Date Taken: | 12.22.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2004 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 752 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MCHENRY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
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