I found this article in the Coeur d' Alene Press on-line edition with some additional information on the life of SGM Conner. RIP SGM and may God bring peace of mind to your friends and family.
Local couple's son dies in Iraq
By LYNN BERK
Staff writer
Sgt. Maj. Bradley D. Conner was killed when his troop carrier hit explosive
device
COEUR d'ALENE -- The press release from the U.S. Department of Defense gives the facts:
"Sgt. Maj. Bradly D. Conner, 41, a Special Forces company sergeant major assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash., was fatally wounded when an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) struck the troop carrier in which he was riding.
"He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2007. This was his fourth deployment to Iraq since 2003."
But he was more than just a few lines of type to Kay and William Conner. He was their son, the youngest of three boys, brother to one sister, the father of three, husband to Cynthia.
"He was a wonderful man," Kay said Friday, four days after a military chaplain and his assistant arrived at their door and told her the news she felt in her heart the moment she saw them approach.
"He was outgoing, friendly, with no biases at all. He was helpful, an encourager -- and when he set his heart on something, he gave it his all."
Bradly was born in Tacoma, Wash., and went to junior high and high school in Kellogg. He attended the University of Idaho and North Idaho College before going into the military in 1987 where he took advantage, his mom says, of every class, of every opportunity for training the military had to offer.
"He was a typical kid," Kay said. "He wanted to be everything. He was a very good athlete, and had he survived, he would have gone into teaching.
"He loved teaching.
"He loved students."
A memorial service is scheduled for May 16 at Ft. Lewis, and he will be interred on a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.
His awards and medals include three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service medals, three Joint Service Commendation Medals, six Army Commendation medals, seven Army Achievement medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit award, five Good Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Medals.
He also earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
In his letters and e-mails home, Kay said, he never complained or expressed any apprehension. Instead, she said, "He was always encouraging somebody else."
Her son spent five tours in Iraq as well as time in Bosnia and Kosovo. The "quiet man" who wore the elite Green Beret first served in the Gulf War and that was when, Kay said, his family learned not to watch the news.
She said their entire family will get through Bradly's death the way they got through his life and his repeated tours in the military -- with faith.
"The same faith that kept us going when he was serving in other tours will keep us going now," she said. "He was a strong believer, and so are we. We trust in God."
Conner is survived by his wife, Cynthia; son Aaron, 14; daughter Katie, who will turn 13 in September; and daughter Rachel, 6, all of Fort Lewis; parents William and Kay Conner of Coeur d'Alene; brothers Brian and Bruce Conner, and sister Brenda Day.
Staff writer Lynn Berk can be reached at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2016, (208) 691-4006,
lynnberk49@yahoo.com and at
lberk@cdapress.com.