The Woodlands, TX, US
U.S. Army
SPC, G TROOP, 2D SQD, 3D ARMORED CAV REG, (TF BAGHDAD), FORT CARSON, CO
07/09/2005, 228TH CSH/MOSUL, Iraq
Hoby Bradfield Jr. graduated high school in 2001 in Virginia Beach, VA. Just after seeing the World Trade Center towers fall from his New Jersey home, SPC Bradfield enlisted in the US Army. He embarked on a career that reflected his family’s long and proud tradition of military service.
Hoby entered service on August 20th, 2002. He trained as a Cavalry Scout and was assigned to the Sabre Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, CO. SPC Bradfield distinguished himself going from raw recruit to a leader.
He was sent to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In country Hoby Bradfield earned a reputation for being a fierce Scout. Returning from Iraq, Hoby met the girl he was to shortly marry, Crystin. And SPC Bradfield qualified as a Combat Life Saver. Crystin became pregnant and Hoby was thrilled. “…not even subzero temperatures at downrange Fort Carson can keep the smile from a man’s face when he tells his best friends he’s going to be a father,” explained 1LT Brian Oman, SPC Bradfield’s platoon leader.
Hoby understood the day was coming when the regiment would be recalled to Iraq. In spite of the fact that Crystin was pregnant, Hoby volunteered to redeploy.
On July 9th, 2005, Grim Troop went into a neighborhood in Tal Afar to destroy a terrorist bombing cell. During the cordon and search, one of SPC Bradfield’s team was hit and as a Combat Life Saver he raced to perform first aid, and was shot.
Medics were called to the battle, stabilized Hoby, put him on the ambulance, and raced to the hospital. But terrorists watching the evacuation detonated an IED, destroying the ambulance and instantly killing Hoby and the medic trying to save his life, PFC Eric Woods.
“There are troopers in the regiment who most definitely owe their lives to him,” LTC Christopher Hickey, Commander of SPC Bradley’s unit explained.
On September 3rd, Crystin Bradfield gave birth to Kloe Adell Bradfield.
“Day by day, fix your eyes upon the greatness of Athens, until you become filled with the love of her; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it.” Thucydides