James D. Stewart
Profile
Age: 29
From: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Assigned to the 57th Transportation Company, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Incident: Army Sgt. James D. Stewart was killed June 21 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military cargo truck in Rutbah, Iraq.
Died: June 21, 2005
Ga. native dies during second Iraq deployment
Associated Press
FORT DRUM, N.Y. — An Army sergeant on his second deployment to Iraq died when an explosive detonated near his vehicle, the Defense Department said Thursday.
James D. Stewart, 29, of Chattanooga, Tenn., suffered injuries Tuesday in Rutbah while traveling in a convoy to a coalition facility. He was pronounced dead at a military hospital in South Korea.
“He believed in this war,” his mother, Rachel Barrett of St. Petersburg, Fla., told The Tampa Tribune. “He seriously thought we had to stay there.”
Stewart was a motor transport operator assigned to the Fort Drum-based 57th Transportation Company, 10th Support Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
A statement from Fort Drum said Stewart entered the Army in October 2002 and joined the division in October 2003.
A native of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Stewart deployed to Iraq for a year starting in May 2003. His...
Occupation
Incident
Prayers & Messages
The boys in blue were fighting their noble flag to shield;
Came a cry from their brave captain, "Look, boys! our flag is down;
Who'll volunteer to save it from disgrace?"
"I will," a young voice shouted, "I'll bring it back or die,"
Then sprang into the thickest of the fray,
Saved the flag but gave his young life; all for his country's sake.
They brought him back and softly heard him say:
"Just break the news to mother,
She knows how dear I love her,
And tell her not to wait for me,
For I'm not coming home;
Just say there is no other
Can take the place of mother;
Then kiss her dear, sweet lips for me,
And break the news to her."
From afar a noted general had witnessed the brave deed.
"Who saved our flag? Speak up lads; 'twas noble, brave, indeed!"
"There he lies, sir," said the captain, "he's sinking very fast,"
Then slowly turned away to hide a tear.
The general, in a moment, knelt down beside the biy;
Then gave a cry that touch'd all hearts that day.
"It's my son, my brave young hero; I thought you safe at home."
"Forgive me Father, for I ran away."
~Charles K. Harris