NEW BERLINVILLE, PA, USA U.S. Army PFC, COMPANY B, 2D BN, 502D INF, 2D BRIGADE, 101ST AA, FORT CAMPBELL, KY BAGHDAD, IRAQ 04/22/2006
A 101st Airborne Division soldier was killed when a roadside bomb exploded while he was on foot patrol in Iraq, the Army said Monday. Private Travis C. Zimmerman, 19, of New Berlinville, Pa., died Saturday in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his observation post.
Zimmerman graduated in June from Boyertown Area High School in Pennsylvania, where principal Dan Goffredo said students and teachers were mourning his loss.
It’s a big shock, Goffredo said. He was always respectful, personable and polite. He seemed very good-natured.
Two American flags were in a planter and a yellow ribbon was wrapped around a tree on the property where Zimmerman lived. His family has not spoken publicly about the loss.
Zimmerman was assigned to the division’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in July 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2005, the post said.
One of Travis C. Zimmerman’s former English teachers remembered the soldier very well. She loved his wry, knowing smile that comes with a dry sense of humor. Travis was one of these kids who would have a smirk on his face, said Beth Williams. He always made me laugh. He was a pleasure to have in class because of that sense of humor.
In his school records, his teachers noted he was a ‘pleasure to have in class,’ district Superintendent Dr. Harry Morgan said. Over the years, it was written on a number of his report cards that he was courteous and cooperative.
In his yearbook, Zimmerman listed only one word under the heading future plans _ Army. He also worked part time at a restaurant. Everyone who worked with him liked him, said restaurant owner Denise Christman. He did everything from dishwashing to hosting to waiting on tables and worked hard.
He is survived by his parents, Gail Camperson and Lloyd Zimmerman.