Thoughts and prayers to Lt. Lee's family, especially his parents; to all those serving; and their families.
From Army Times, and Albany GA, papers.
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina -- An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper was killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated during a patrol outside Mosul.
First Lieutenant Weston C. Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, was an infantry officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
"First Lieutenant Wes Lee was an extraordinary young man and officer," said Col. Pat Work, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "He was exactly the type of leader that our Paratroopers deserve. Our sincere condolences and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
He was a graduate of the University of North Georgia. While at UNG then Cadet Master Sergeant Lee of brigade staff was awarded the 2012 Major Kitefre K. Oboho Military Leadership Scholarship. He was a member of the Combat Shooting Team at North Georgia and had been the winner of the "Command Sergeant Major's Team Match" for two consecutive years as well as the winner of the "2012 Commanding General's Pistol Match," all at Fort Benning. Weston was also selected as the first sergeant of Foxtrot Company for this academic year.
First Lt. Lee joined the Army in March 2015 and, following the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course, was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division as a platoon leader.
Lieutenant Lee’s parents, Eddie and Aldene Lee of Bluffton, Ga., pinned on their son’s Ranger tab.
Following Ranger School, Lieutenant Lee attended Airborne training at Fort Benning. On Nov. 13 he graduated and received his parachutist badge after having completed five successful airborne jumps. His cousin, Mavis Lark Moore of Dawson, pinned on his jump wings.
Lieutenant Lee, who has been stationed at Fort Benning since March of 2015, graduated from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in December of 2014. While at Fort Benning, he completed the Infantry Basic Officer’s Leadership Course prior to Ranger and Airborne schools. He has recently been assigned to 1-73 CAV, 82nd. Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
He deployed to Iraq in December 2016. This was his first deployment. First Lt. Lee's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
The service member killed Saturday is the fifth combat death in Iraq since the U.S. launched military operations against IS in August 2014. IS fighters began growing in power in Iraq in early 2014 in the country's west and in the summer of 2014 swept across much of the country's north.
From Army Times, and Albany GA, papers.
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina -- An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper was killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated during a patrol outside Mosul.
First Lieutenant Weston C. Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, was an infantry officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
"First Lieutenant Wes Lee was an extraordinary young man and officer," said Col. Pat Work, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "He was exactly the type of leader that our Paratroopers deserve. Our sincere condolences and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
He was a graduate of the University of North Georgia. While at UNG then Cadet Master Sergeant Lee of brigade staff was awarded the 2012 Major Kitefre K. Oboho Military Leadership Scholarship. He was a member of the Combat Shooting Team at North Georgia and had been the winner of the "Command Sergeant Major's Team Match" for two consecutive years as well as the winner of the "2012 Commanding General's Pistol Match," all at Fort Benning. Weston was also selected as the first sergeant of Foxtrot Company for this academic year.
First Lt. Lee joined the Army in March 2015 and, following the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course, was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division as a platoon leader.
Lieutenant Lee’s parents, Eddie and Aldene Lee of Bluffton, Ga., pinned on their son’s Ranger tab.
Following Ranger School, Lieutenant Lee attended Airborne training at Fort Benning. On Nov. 13 he graduated and received his parachutist badge after having completed five successful airborne jumps. His cousin, Mavis Lark Moore of Dawson, pinned on his jump wings.
Lieutenant Lee, who has been stationed at Fort Benning since March of 2015, graduated from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in December of 2014. While at Fort Benning, he completed the Infantry Basic Officer’s Leadership Course prior to Ranger and Airborne schools. He has recently been assigned to 1-73 CAV, 82nd. Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
He deployed to Iraq in December 2016. This was his first deployment. First Lt. Lee's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
The service member killed Saturday is the fifth combat death in Iraq since the U.S. launched military operations against IS in August 2014. IS fighters began growing in power in Iraq in early 2014 in the country's west and in the summer of 2014 swept across much of the country's north.
