Body found of Ohio soldier missing in Iraq

Monsoon65 · 03-30-2008, 19:57

Just read this on CNN. RIP, Keith.

(CNN) -- After nearly four years of hoping, waiting and praying, an Ohio family learned Sunday their missing son died in Iraq.

"It hurts -- it really hurts. You go through four years of hope," said Carolyn Maupin, whose son, Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, was captured by insurgents in April 2004.

"It's like a letdown to me. I'm trying to get through that right now."

His father, Keith Maupin, said military officials informed the family Sunday afternoon that the remains of the 24-year-old Army reservist had been identified.

"Every parent knows the possibility exists that they may have to face the death of their child when they volunteer to go to war," he said. "However, those who are fortunate make peace with that and support their soldier, because they enlisted at their own free will."

A Defense Department official also confirmed the identification, saying the remains of the 24-year-old were found last week but DNA results just came in.

Maupin and another soldier, Sgt. Elmer Krause, were captured by insurgents April 9, 2004, after their convoy came under attack near Baghdad International Airport. A week later, Maupin was shown on a videotape, surrounded by several armed masked men.

"My name is Keith Matthew Maupin," he stated in the video. "I am a soldier from the First Division. I am married with a 10-month-old child. I came to liberate Iraq, but I did not come willingly because I wanted to stay with my child."

Krause's body was found two weeks later.

Later that summer, Al-Jazeera aired a videotape purportedly showing the execution of Maupin, but U.S. officials haven't confirmed the identity of the person on the tape.

The U.S. Army continued to promote Maupin, who was a specialist in the Army Reserves at the time of his capture, to sergeant and then staff sergeant as they searched for him.

Three U.S. troops remain missing in the five-year-old Iraq war: Pvt. Byron W. Fouty and Spc. Alex R. Jimenez have been missing since their military convoy was raided west of Mahmoudiya May 12.

Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie disappeared October 23, 2006, and his status was changed to "missing-captured" nearly two months later

**Razor** · 03-30-2008, 21:07

Rest easy, SPC Maupin.

GreenSalsa · 03-30-2008, 22:01

Welcome home and RIP Keith.

God Bless their family--hopefully their nightmare can come to an end.

gagners · 03-31-2008, 03:44

RIP Keith. Prayers out for your family.

swpa19 · 03-31-2008, 08:05

R.I.P. Keith and Thank You.

Red Flag 1 · 03-31-2008, 08:13

Rest In Peace Keith Maupin!! Prayers out for you and your family!

**Pete** · 03-31-2008, 08:24

And some complain of the treatment of captives at Gitmo Bay.

Rest Easy Soldier.

Goggles Pizano · 03-31-2008, 08:51

In pace requiescat SPC Maupin.

Penn · 03-31-2008, 09:25

Rest in Peace SPC Maupin

rubberneck · 03-31-2008, 09:34

Welcome home PFC Maupin. May you rest in eternal peace and may the good Lord bring comfort your family and friends.

f50lrrp · 03-31-2008, 10:48

Blue skies, SSG.

Gypsy · 04-04-2008, 11:08

This may not come out right...but I'm glad he's finally been found.

May you RIP SSG Maupin. Prayers out to your family, friends and Brothers.

jbour13 · 04-04-2008, 11:51

RIP SSG Maupin

His father was very strong during his conference. That is what I would expect of my family.

To the Maupin family, thanks for staying strong and never giving up hope.

TimelyChaos · 04-09-2008, 20:52

Gypsy, I totally agree. May he rest in peace, and his family have continued strength. Thank you SSG Maupin for your service and sacrifice.

vsvo · 04-11-2008, 16:58

RIP SSG Maupin