Today we honor the lives of four Army National Guardsmen who died when their vehicle encountered a roadside IED. All of these men were assigned to the 120th Combined Arms Battalion in Wilmington, N.C. Our hearts go out to North Carolina today, as their National Guard marks its largest single combat loss since World War II.
The men who were killed in this blast were:
Sgt. 1st Class Edward C. Kramer, 39, of Wilmington, N.C.
Sgt. Roger L. Adams Jr., 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Sgt. Juan C. Baldeosingh, 30, of Newport, N.C.
Spc. Robert L. Bittiker, 39, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Please join us in learning a little about these men and their lives that mattered so much to so many.
It is easy to be impressed by these four men and their longtime service. All answered the call of need and by joining the North Carolina Army National Guard. One was a decades long member of the Guard, and three were Marines that returned to service. They are all beloved husbands and fathers, and they leave their communites with a sore loss.
"The North Carolina National Guard and the people of our state mourn today with the families of these fine soldiers," said North Carolina National Guard commander Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr. "The Guard is a very close-knit organization, and the loss of these brave men will leave a lasting impact on us all."
Here is an article from WFMB news that contains the North Carolina Army National Guard press release about these four men.
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Sgt. 1st Class Edward C. Kramer, 39, of Wilmington, N.C.
Edward Kramer was a family oriented man, beloved husband, and father to two daughters aged 7 and 9. He was also well liked and had many friends. He served in the Marine Corps during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and returned to uniform when he joined the Army National Guard. When he was not on active duty, he served his community as a career firefighter.
From WECT in Wilmington:
In a statement, Kramer's wife Vicki said he loved his family, and Kramer's friend of 20 years agrees.
"Ed was definitely a character," said Bannon. "He loved practical jokes. He loved hanging out with his friends. These two little girls were the biggest thing in his life."
"Ed was close to a lot of people," said Michael Bannon, Kramer's friend. "Even if you meet him just once, you have a best friend. It's still a shock it doesn't seem real."
Press release:
Sgt. 1st Class Kramer served as an infantry Soldier with the 120th CAB. A veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, he had also previously deployed to Iraq and Kuwait from February to December of 2004 with the 30th HBCT. A former Marine, he enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in November 1994. He had served with 120th CAB units in Warsaw, Beulaville, and Whiteville before being transferred to Company A in Jacksonville in November of 2008 where he was a section leader. Kramer was an expert marksman, and his many military awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Go in peace. Thank you for your service.
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Sgt. Roger L. Adams Jr., 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Roger Adams was a former Marine and family man who leaves behind a loving wife and four children. He also served his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. His wife Teresa, also a volunteer firefighter, often answered calls along with him -- they answered his last firecall together before he shipped to Iraq.
His wife told JDNews in Jacksonville:
"I lost the love of my life, the boys lost their dad," said Teresa Adams, his wife. "We were his world. His sons were his passion. He was the most selfless person I ever knew or ever will know."
Press release:
After nearly 13 years as an active-duty Marine, Sgt. Adams enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in March of 2006. He served as an infantryman and team leader assigned to Company A of the 120th CAB in Jacksonville and was mobilized for duty in Iraq with his unit in February. A marksman with the M4 carbine rifle, his military awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Go in peace. Thank you for your service.
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Sgt. Juan C. Baldeosingh, 30, of Newport, N.C.
Juan "Carlos" Baldoesingh was a former Marine and loving husband and father of three, who was known for his sense of humor and practical jokes. He worked as a hospital security sergeant and Spanish language translator when he joined the Army National Guard last year.
His wife Rebecca told JDNews in Jacksonville:
"Carlos was my best friend, my husband, and father to our three girls," she said. "He is truly an American Hero. I am so proud of him for fighting for our country. He did what he wanted to do, and that was to be in the military. I loved him so very much."
He loved to watch his three daughters dance, and enjoyed doing arts and crafts with them. They expected him back for leave in two weeks.
Press release:
Sgt. Baldeosingh served in the U.S. Marine Corps before enlisting in the North Carolina Army National Guard in June of 2008. Assigned to Company A, 120th CAB, in Jacksonville, he was an infantryman and a team leader. He was a marksman with the M16 rifle and earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Go in peace. Thank you for your service.
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Spc. Robert L. Bittiker, 39, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Robert Bittiker served in the Army National Guard for nearly twenty years, and deployed to Bosnia as well as Iraq. He was a beloved husband and father of two sons. He was an avid sportsman who loved to fish. He also liked a good Redskins game.
His family last spoke with him on Father's Day.
Robert Bittiker joined the Guard right out of high school. His mother, Mary Wheat, told News14 Carolina that he died doing what he loved.
"When its doing what they're there for, something they believed in, it's a little bit easier for us to accept that," Wheat said.
She describes getting that horrible knock.
"I heard the doorbell ring, and when you look out and see those two people in army green, you know what they're there for. You hope that it’s just an injury."
Press release:
Spc. Bittiker enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in February 1990 and was assigned as an infantryman to Company A of what was then called the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, later redesignated as the 120th CAB. His specialties included sniper, anti-armor specialist, and team leader. Bittiker had previously served tours of duty in Bosnia in 2000 and ten months in Kuwait and Iraq in 2004. He was an expert with the M4 carbine rifle and a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the NATO Medal. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Go in peace. Thank you for your service.
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Please remember that these comments will be read by friends and family who are torn by grief. There are also many members of this community who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or have loved ones currently on active duty.
We ask that you leave politics aside as you enter and offer your respects and compassion.