PHILLIPSBURG, MT, USA U.S. Army PFC, COMPANY C, 2D BATTALION, 12TH INFANTRY, 2 BCT, FORT CARSON, CO BAGHDAD, IRAQ 04/10/2007
Private First Class Kyle Geoffrey Bohrnsen of Philipsburg, Montana, loved hunting and the outdoors and was a hard worker and great role model.
A towering young man at 6-foot-3 inches and easily over 250 pounds, Kyle never used intimidation to get his point across. Instead, he used a solid handshake and gentle demeanor.
Kyle never had trouble with people for one reason: they all respected him. And not just because of his size. He was a quiet leader; he led by example.
Kyle graduated from Granite High School in Philipsburg and joined the military with two close friends. This was his first tour of duty in Iraq.
He loved snowmobiling and bow-hunting for elk, and enjoyed “all the resources that Montana and Philipsburg had to offer.”
Kyle was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in Fort Carson, Colorado. Even over there, people looked up to Kyle. He loved his country and thought it was his job to help protect it.
At the age of 22, Kyle was killed by a roadside bomb April 10, 2007 in Baghdad. Kyle’s father, Geoff, believes his son was a hero who died doing what he loved and what he believed in.
In e-mails, fellow troops praised the good humor and work ethic of the man they nicknamed “Big Country,” “Mr. Bronze” and “Spitfire.”
He was awarded the following medals posthumously: The Good Conduct Medal was awarded for exemplary behavior, the Purple Heart for wounds received in action and the Bronze Star for meritorious service.
At his funeral, long rows of flags lined walkways outside Granite County High, and near each was a message written by a Philipsburg elementary school child. “Just because we can’t see you, you’re still my hero,” wrote one.