Army Sgt. 1st Class William W. Labadie Jr.
Killed: April 07, 2004
Army Sgt. 1st Class William W. Labadie Jr., 45, of Bauxite, Ark.; assigned to Troop E, 151st Cavalry Squadron, 39th Infantry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army National Guard, based in Marianna, Ark.; killed April 7 when his camp was attacked by rockets and small-arms fire in Baghdad.
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Associated Press
BAUXITE, Ark. — An Army sergeant from Bauxite died in fighting in Iraq, family members said Thursday. Sgt. 1st Class William “Bill” Labadie, 45, was shot in the chest during fighting Wednesday, said his mother, Cheryl Winters. He was the son of Carl and Cheryl Winters of Bauxite. He had been residing with his parents before his deployment 16 days ago, Cheryl Winters said. The soldier is also survived by his wife, Sunnie, of Del City, Okla., and their son, Bryan. Cheryl Winters told The Benton Courier she was notified by an Army chaplain and Winters’ commanding officer, who came to the family home Wednesday night. “We don’t have many details,” she said. “We know that he was shot in the chest and died at the emergency room. Another soldier with him also was shot, but he survived, thankfully.” He was killed south of Baghdad, Cheryl Winters said. She said her son wanted to be involved in the action in Iraq. “It’s where he wanted to be. He was doing what he wanted to do,” she said. William Winters had 22 years experience in the military; he was in the National Guard. He told his family he was carrying out what he was trained to accomplish, his mother said. “We got to talk to him three times after he arrived there, and I’ve never heard him sound so happy,” Cheryl Winters said. William Winters was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Benton, his mother said. “He loved the church and loved working with the elementary-age children. He had so many plans for becoming more active when he returned home,” she said. “He was a very outgoing person. The only thing I’m hanging onto is that he sounded so happy. He got to do what he wanted to do, and we know that he was right with the Lord. You can’t ask for more than that, except that he would still be here,” she said.
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William W. Labadie was a sergeant first class in the Army, but he was also a “real soldier” at work, earning the nickname “Wild Bill” because he was so enthusiastic about his job, raising money for nonprofit agencies. “He was just all over the place, enthusiastic and full of excitement,” said James Kelley, a manager at The Heritage Co. Labadie, 45, of Bauxite, Ark., was fatally shot during fighting south of Baghdad on April 7, just two weeks after being deployed. His mother said he was eager to serve in Iraq.
“This has honestly been his goal all of his life,” Cheryl Winters said. “He knew this was his last shot, at 45 years old. He told his commanding officer: ‘Give me a shot.’ It was like he was going to Disneyland.”
Labadie had been living with his parents for about a year and wanted to build a home nearby and move in his wife, Sunnie Labadie, of Del City, Okla., and their son, Bryan, 23, Winters said. “He had a lot of plans to get back and start a Boy Scout troop and lots of other things,” Winters said.
— Associated Press
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. - The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Arkansas Army National Guard Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class William W. Labadie, Jr., 45, of Bauxite, Ark., died April 7, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his camp was attacked by individuals using rockets and small arms fire. Sgt. 1st Class Labadie was assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard’s Troop E (-), 151st Cavalry, 39th Infantry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, from Marianna, Ark. This incident is under investigation. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Labadie,” said Maj. Gen Don C. Morrow, adjutant general of Arkansas. “Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and support go out to his family, friends and fellow Soldiers during this time of grief and pain.” Nearly 2,800 Soldiers from the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade are attached to the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and are mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “The 39th Brigade Combat Team sincerely mourns the loss of our fallen comrade, Sgt. 1st Class William Labadie, to hostile fire,” said Lt. Col. Mark A. Lumpkin, rear detachment commander for the 39th Brigade Combat Team. “Despite this tragic loss, the 39th BCT remains resolved and resolute in our mission and our obligations to the American people, our Soldiers, our allies and our friends. Our loss reminds us this is serious business, and we will strive to do our best to defend our nation, carry forward our orders and accomplish the task at hand.”
For further information related to this release, contact public affairs at (501) 212-5020.
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