Colorado Springs, CO, US U.S. Army SSG, Personnel Sergeant at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC) 3/7/2011, Carroll County, US
Su Wan Ko was killed March 7, 2011 in an automobile accident in Virginia. He was actually stationed in Garmisch, Germany and was back in the U.S. to try out for Special Forces at Ft. Bragg.
Here is the biography that was included in his memorial service:
“Staff Sergeant Su Wan Ko was born in Korea on 23 July 1979. His military career began in September 1999 with this enlistment in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Jackson, SC, he successfully completed U.S. Army Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA. He spent four years with the prestegious 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, CO in which he was assigned as an Administrative Specialist in the Battalion S-1. Next, he spent three years with Allied Forces North Battalion in Brunssum, Netherlands in which he was assigned as the Human Resources NCO. SSG Ko’s most recent assignment was as the Personnel Sergeant at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC). He has been with the GCMC for 3 years. SSG Ko was deployed to Iraq and Kosovo.
SSG Ko’s awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (awarded posthumously), the Army Commendation Medal (2 oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (1 silver oak leaf cluster), and the Parachutist Badge.
SSG Ko loved the outdoors, lifting weights, spending time with his friends and fiance Dayna Wood, and life in general. He is survived by his father Young Nam Ko, his mother Oak Chul Kim, brothers Su Kwon Ko and One Goh.
This is the very official bio of his career. However, to me he was the funny guy that could make me laugh without even trying and melt my heart with every smile. He worked out religiously and sometimes even twice a day. One of the things that I admire most about him is the fact that I never saw him mad. I always tell people that I don’t know what a mad Su Wan looks like. I saw him frustrated and annoyed, but never mad. In fact, 99% of the time he was happy as could be. He was never mean to anyone, even if he didn’t like you. In his spare time, (aside from working out) he loved to watch movies and TV. His favorite show was How I Met Your Mother. He also loved fixing things and figuring out how things work. He always told me that one day when he was out of the Army he wanted to be a mechanic. I have no doubt he would have excelled at such a profession.
The most important person in his life (aside from me) was his best friend Sgt. Tautua. They were inseparable. They went to the gym together every day only to go home and make dinner like a little family. Su Wan always told me that they were a package deal. He might have acted like he was kidding, but I know deep down he wasn’t, and I loved it. I have always admired his loyalty and dedication to the people he loves. I miss him dearly.