James Witkowski
Profile
Age: 32
From: Surprise, Ariz.
Assigned to the 729th Transportation Company, Army Reserve, Fresno, Calif.
Incident: Army Sgt. James Witkowski died Oct. 26 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during convoy operations near Ashraf, Iraq.
Died: October 26, 2005
Sergeant’s sacrifice may have saved entire convoy
By Michelle Tan
Times staff writer
Sgt. James Witkowski loved his fellow soldiers.
On Oct. 26, 2005, he gave his life for them.
That was the day Witkowski and about 100 soldiers in a 23-vehicle convoy were ferrying supplies from Camp Anaconda near Balad, Iraq, to Forward Operating Base Suse, northeast of Kirkuk.
“Ski” was in Iraq with the 729th Transportation Company out of Fresno, Calif. The 729th worked closely with the 1173rd Transportation Company of the Virginia National Guard.
All of the unit’s missions were run in the Sunni Triangle, said Master Sgt. John Souza, who served with Witkowski.
On that fateful day, soldiers from both companies set out on their mission about 7 a.m. Witkowski was manning the .50-caliber machine gun in Gun Truck 3, the 11th vehicle in the convoy, according to...
Occupation
Incident
Prayers & Messages
Please embrace with all Your love and mercy the soul of this brave soldier, Army Sgt. James Witkowski, and comfort him with Your Divine Presence.
Bless his heart and keep his family in Your Hands, Guard them and comfort them.
Amen