CLARKSVILLE, TN, USA U.S. Army SPC, COMPANY A, 2D BATTALION, 505TH INFANTRY, FORT BRAGG, NC SAMARRA, IRAQ 11/12/2006
SPC Harry (Buck) Winkler III, born in Jacksonville, FL on March 12, 1974 and was killed in action on November 12, 2006 in Samarra, Iraq. Buck was always smiling and full of life. His day would start with a “good morning” and he’d just do whatever was in store for that day. He loved life, family and once in the Army enjoyed the service and wanted to get into “special forces”. He joined the Army when he was 27 and met and married his soul mate and together they had a beautiful son. He is missed everyday by not only me, his mom but his wife, son, and family. May he always rest in peace and enjoy God’s Army.
Buck was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was on his second tour.
Harry A. Winkler III said he was looking forward to coming home in December to be with his family: his wife, Charity; her 12-year old son, Tommy; and their 10-month-old son, Owen. He was planning on laying back on the couch, and having Owen on his chest, like he did when Owen was first born, Charity said.
He joined the Army in 2002, shortly after his younger brother joined the Air Force. He wanted to join so badly that he shed 50 pounds to meet the weight requirement.
Something just struck him, said Debbi Rivers, his mother. He wanted to do something to change his life.
Charity Winkler said that when her husband finished his first Army assignment in February 2005, he tried but failed to live without the military. He was not satisfied with being a civilian, she said.
Meeting his wife had been a high point in his life, his mother said. She lightened his eyes and brightened his face and gave him the happiest years together.