SGM Brad Conner
 

Rest in Peace, SGM
_______________________

Subject: SGM Conner


Please DL to the Group, the SF Association, and the FRG:
I regret to inform you that SGM Brad Conner, a long-serving member of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and currently serving as a Company Sergeant Major in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), was killed today, 9 May 2007, while serving in Iraq. He was fatally injured when his vehicle was struck by an IED. SGM Conner was well-respected by all who have served beside him, and his loss is a tragedy for all of us. Please pray that his wife and three children may find comfort in the knowledge that he died serving his nation and in the company of his Special Forces comrades.

Colonel Ken Tovo
Commander, 10th SFG(A)



v/r
Ken Tovo
COL, SF
Cdr, CJSOTF-AP

RIP, SGM.

Thank you for your service.

TR

R.I.P. CSM Conner.

RIP Brad.

RIP SGM
 

RIP SGM

May he always stand guard with the angels!

Jim

RIP SGM.

RIP SGM.

COL Jack- wasn't the SGM with A/2/10 for a long time? I remember his name.

Rest In Peace

RIP, Sergeant Major.

A tragic loss to our community.

RIP Brad.

Rest in Peace, SGM Conner.

Pat

Rest in peace SGM.

RIP SGM Conner, my condolences to all.

In pace requiescat SGM Conner.

RIP SGM.

We heard about it yesterday and will be sending 2 members from our detachment to serve on the funeral detail wherever it may be.

RIP SGM Conner.
blustr18b

Rest in Peace sir, and thank you for your dedication and sacrifices for our great nation.

RIP SGM. Prayers out to your family and brothers in arms.

LL

He was the Team Sgt on 054 when I had just gotten to Grp. My team room was directly across the hall from their's.

RIP

Rest in Peace SGM. Thank You for your service & sacrifice

NSDQ

RIP SGM
 

RIP SGM

RIP Brad
I will raise a beer for/to you.
He will be missed

p.s. Does anyone have the DTG of the service?

Wow....I remember the day Brad came to ODA054 to take over as TM Daddy. We deployed to Kosovo and a few training exercises. I left the team about a year later.

Rest in Peace Red, peace and comfort to your family and I will toast a cold in your honor.

RIP Brad

RIP SGM to a true warrior.

For forum history purposes:

Hometown article for SGM Conner
 

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.

So that others may be free, may God bless your sacrifice SGM. Our prayers go with you and your family.

RIP SGM..........

RIP SGM... I will be there to see you off!

-skipjack

RIP SGM

RIP Brad
I will raise a beer so we can drink one up!
He will be missed, blessings and may God bring peace of mind to your friends and family.

RIP SGM Conner

Rest In Peace
 

May God be with you. I was driving the truck when we got hit. Brad was my TC and an amazing man, who will always have a place in my heart for being such an amazing leader and professional. Thank all of you for your support for him and his family.

Firewolf, sorry for your loss.

TR

Col. Kenneth Tovo and a senior enlisted Soldier, unveil an mural at the grand opening of the Sergeant Major Bradly Connor dining facility on Memorial Day 28 May 2007. SGM Connor was killed in action on May 9th 2007 during an attack on his convoy. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Michael B. Lewis)

A senior enlisted Soldier from the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula, gives a quick speech at the grand opening of the Sergeant Major Bradly Connor Dining Facility on Memorial Day 28 May 2007. SGM Connor was killed in action on 9 May 2007 during an attack on his convoy. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Michael B. Lewis)

Col. Kenneth Tovo, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula Commander, gives a quick speech at the grand opening of the SGM Bradly Connor Dining Facility on Memorial Day 28 May 2007. SGM Connor was killed in action on May 9th 2007 during an attack on his convoy. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Michael B. Lewis)

Laid to rest
 

For those who are unaware, SGM Connor is resting in Arlington as of about 1400 hrs today. The Regiment was well represented by approx 40 in A's and at least twice that in suits.

v/r