HICKORY, NC, USA U.S. Army CPL, COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 12TH CAVALRY, 3 BCT, FORT HOOD, TX BAQUBAH, IRAQ 06/19/2007
Darryl Linder last talked to his son, his only child, on Father’s Day. He said he loved me and he was looking forward to coming home. I encouraged him to mail me some pictures and he said, ‘I’ll be home in a few weeks, Dad.’
Linder, 23, of Hickory, N.C., was killed June 19 in Baqubah by an explosive. He was assigned to Fort Hood, TX. and was on his second tour in the middle east.Linder, who was 6 foot 4, attracted people with his happy outlook and friendliness, said his grandfather, Wardlaw Linder, for whom he was named. He adored baseball, hunting and fishing.
Linder was a stellar athlete, excelling in football and baseball in high school, said his lifelong friend, Jeff Fulbright.
He served four years with the Marines, including a tour in Afghanistan, then worked for his father for a year and signed up with the Army, serving in the infantry, as he had in the Marines. From Iraq, Ward Linder told his parents that the country was extremely hot, Darryl Linder said. His comment to me was, ‘I don’t believe I’m going to be digging footings for a house here.’
He also is survived by a 3-year-old son, Kyle.
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