Staff Sgt Tyler Edward Pickett
Born May 5, 1980 in Rice Lake WI
Died June 8, 2008 in Kirkuk, Iraq
Staff Sergeant Pickett was born in Wisconsin and moved to Saratoga, Wyoming, at the age of 14. He was a 1999 graduate of Saratoga High School and following a tradition in his family of military service, enlisted in the Army on May 31, 2001. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served one tour of duty in Afghanistan from August 2003 to August 2004 and was currently on his second tour of duty in Iraq, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, New York. He married Kristy A. Keegan on February 14, 2005, in Watertown, New York. They lived in Antwerp, New York, for the past three years. SSGT Pickett was killed when a suicide car bomb exploded near an American patrol base outside of Kirkuk. He put himself between an IED and a group of 18 fellow soldiers, saving the lives of them. His military awards include: Army Commendation with combat distinguishing device “V” 2, Army Achievement Medal 3, Army Good Conduct Medal 2, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star 2, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 2, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge Basic, Air Assault Badge, Weapons Qualifications Badge, and Overseas Service Bar 4. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart, both posthumously.
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