Home

Feedback

I heard from Matt last week.

A Co. 526 BSB is scheduled to deploy sometime between September 26th-28th.

He told me it could be sooner or later, he just doesn't know yet. As soon as I know more, I will give you what information I have.

Thank you for your support of "our soldiers"

On August 2nd, 2005 PVT. Thomas Cory Philips was the victim of a hit and run accident at Clarksville, Tennessee. He was a member of the same Transportation Platoon as PVT. Gregory Wertz, who was killed in the live fire excercise on July 13th.

2nd BCT Soldier killed

By: Pfc. Kelly McDowell, 2nd BCT Public Affairs

Family, friends and fellow Soldiers joined together in Memorial Chapel July 19 to honor the memory and bid farewell to a fallen 2nd Brigade Combat Team Soldier.

Private Gregory Wertz, Company A, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, died after a training accident July 13. Wertz was a new Soldier to Fort Campbell, he had only just joined the ranks in Strike Brigade in May. This was his first duty station.

"Greg's father had told me many things, but one thing stuck out," said Capt. Michael Hammond, commander, Co. A, 526th BSB. "Greg had wanted to be a Soldier since a long time ago. Greg had the support of his family, which made him a good Soldier. He was the kind of Soldier who loved what he did." The memories that Wertz inspired were recounted in fondness from his platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Tamatha Baxter.

Soft laughter filled the air as she reminisced about his nickname, his personality, humor and the way he was able to make anyone comfortable to talk with him.

"He had a great sense of humor once he got going," Baxter said. "That made it a lot easier for Soldiers to talk to him about anything."

Baxter said Wertz was a motivated Soldier who never got into trouble and always did what was needed of him. He proved to be an important part of the platoon.

"His spirit will always be with me, with all of us," she said, then turning her gaze to speak to Wertz's family. "You can be proud of your son. He made a decision that many Americans his age would not make."

Wertz was born April 15, 1986, in Napoleon, Ohio. Soon after graduating high school, Wertz joined the Army in Cleveland, Ohio, May 17, 2004.

He attended Basic Training and advanced individual training with Company A, 58th Transportation Battalion, Fort Leonardwood, Mo. After graduation from basic training and AIT, Wertz was assigned to 526th Brigade Support Battalion.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Wertz was awarded the Army Commendation Medal posthumously for his dedicated service to the unit and the United States Army.

"Private Wertz will be missed by the Transportation Platoon and the company as a whole," Baxter said. "Our prayers are with his family."

Dear Sirs,

I am the father of Pvt. Matthew W. Black, Alpha Company 526 Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne. Matt was one of the young men from Fort Campbell that was a part of your memorial Day Parade. I spoke to him by phone tonight and I felt I must contact you with my heartfelt appreciation of his treatment by the veterans and townspeople of your community. Matt had only the highest words of praise for how he was treated. He was very impressed with the bed and breakfast where he stayed, the wonderful food and genuine friendliness and compassion which was showered upon him. As his father, I cannot express how much I appreciate how you treated my son. I am deeply grateful that your fine community has seen fit to adopt his unit in its coming deployment to Iraq. I feel that your thoughts and prayers will help him and his fellow soldiers in the coming months of hardship and danger. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and God Bless you.

Sincerely

Kevin Black

Route One

Texola, OK 73668

Kevin Black