Their Stars Have Turned From Blue to Gold

Spc. Damon G. Winkleman

Born: February 26, 1986 in Wooster, Ohio
Died September 20, 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan

Spc. Damon G. Winkleman of Lakeville, Ohio was a 2004 graduate of Loudonville High School where he played football for the Redbirds. He was an upbeat and hard worker at practice contributing all he could to the success of the team. He was also a good student, taking on challenging courses and doing well. He was focused and worked on hard on a purpose in life. He had a great disposition that endeared him to both his peers and his teachers. After graduating he attended Monroe Military Institute in Monroe, Alabama earning a degree in applied science in 2006. It was during this time that he enlisted in the Army, ultimately becoming an Army medic. Damon is the youngest of three sons of Richard “Wink” and Pat Winkleman. All four boys and their father ave served in the military. Damon’s father is a United States Army Reserve major and his brothers Jason and Nathan have also served in the Army. In had been ten years since all the family had been together during a holiday, but on Thanksgiving 2008 all four servicemen had much to be grateful for when they were all able to be home. Their local paper even featured a story about the rare holiday reunion. His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutists Badge. Damon died at age 21 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed was Spc. Corey J. Kowall of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Army
2nd Battalion
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Sgt. David A. Davis


A 28-year-old Army sergeant based at Fort Carson was killed in an attack on Bagram Airfield. Sgt. David A. Davis of Dalhart, Texas, died Sept. 19.

Defenselink.mil said Davis was killed by “indirect fire.” That means the attackers launched an assault without seeing the target.

Davis was assigned to the 32nd Transportation Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

He was on his third deployment, twice fighting in Iraq, and had received numerous medals for his service. News releases did not say whether he was married.

Army Spc. Corey Kowall

Army Spc. Corey Kowall, 20, of Murfreesboro, has died in a vehicle crash in Afghanistan.

He graduated from Siegel High School in 2007. His grandfather served in the Navy, his great-grandfather served in World War II, and his great-great-grandfather was in World War I. Corey was active in the Murfreesboro Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and the Raider program, a physical fitness team that competes against other high school JROTC programs.

He enlisted in the Army right after graduating and was in the Alpha Company, Second Battalion, 508th parachute infantry regiment in the fourth brigade combat team of the 82nd Airborne division of the U.S. Army, based at Fort Bragg, NC.

Kowall joined the Army in June 2007. "Spc. Kowall was an extremely competent soldier and an extraordinary individual. His death leaves a tear in our formation and in our hearts," said Kowall's company commander, Capt. Paul W. Pena, in a statement. "Though sorely missed, Corey will continue to be a source of inspiration and strength throughout Alpha Company."

Kowall's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantry Badge and the Parachutists Badge.The unit deployed to Afghanistan in July 2009. Corey was responding to a call to assist a convoy that had encountered an IED (improvised explosive device), when his vehicle overturned and he was killed in the accident.

Among Corey's family are his father, C.J. Kowall and his two sisters.