NORFOLK, VA, US
U.S. Army
CPL, CO A, 2ND BN, 502ND INF REGIMENT, 2ND BCT, FORT CAMPBELL, KY
11/22/2010, GHOTAMUDKHA, AFGHANISTAN
Army Corporal William K. Middleton died November 22, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was twenty-six years old and a resident of Norfolk, Virginia. Cpl Middleton was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He died in Ghotamudkha, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. “He wanted to be a warrior and he died trying to save the life of a wounded Afghan soldier. I am proud to be his father.” Hank Middleton, father.
Middleton was an Infantryman assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He joined the Army in April 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2009. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; NATO Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
William Kyle Middleton was born and raised in the Richmond, Virginia area. He graduated from L.C. Bird HS in Chesterfield, VA in 2002. William was an accomplished soccer player; and played soccer for several years with FC Richmond Magic. He had competed internationally in soccer since he was young and wanted to play professionally. During his junior year he studied abroad and played soccer in England. When a knee injury put an end to that dream, he returned to Norfolk and finished his degree in communication at Old Dominion University in 2007. He minored in marketing and studied film while also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
His brother notes that Kyle was an amazing person. His friends remember him as a man who knew what he wanted to do and was fully aware of the possibilities and dangers military service represented. He was always recognized as a great soldier, a better friend, and an even better man. William was known to be genuinely interested in where he was in life. He was one of those very few all-around good guys, as his fraternity brothers note. His communications professors remember him as an involved student who was very pleasant to work with.
Following graduation, Kyle continued to bartend in Norfolk while striking out for a career in the Film industry. While looking for a meaningful challenge, he enlisted in the Army in April 2009 as an Infantryman. His stepmother notes that Kyle’s excitement about his choice was evident in his voice. He was finally doing what he wanted to be doing where he was.
Kyle is survived by his father and stepmother, his mother, and his brother. All are Virginia residents.
He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery December 4, 2010. In Kyle’s honor, flags in the cities of Richmond, Lynchburg, and Lexington and the County of Amelia, Virginia were ordered to be lowered at sunrise on Saturday, December 4, 2010, to remain at half-staff until sunset.