Fort Campbell, KY – Three Fort Campbell Soldiers died August 11th as a result of combat-related injuries they sustained in Dzadran, Afghanistan.
Identified are Staff Sgt. Octavio Herrera, 26, of Caldwell, Idaho; Sgt. Jamar Avery Hicks, 22, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Spc. Keith Erin Grace Jr., 26, of Baytown, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Octavio Herrera
Herrera was assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a Fire Control Sergeant. He joined the Army in July 2007 and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, where he deployed twice to Afghanistan prior to arriving to Fort Campbell, KY, in September 2012.
His awards include two Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, one Army Good Conduct Medal, one National Defense Service Medal, one Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Third Campaign Phase), one Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, one Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, one Army Service Ribbon, one Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2 Device, two NATO Medals, one Combat Action Badge, one Parachute Badge, and one Air Assault Badge.
Herrera is survived by his spouse, Courtney R. Herrera of Clarksville, TN, and his parents, Gerardo and Angelica Herrera, both of Caldwell, Idaho.
Sgt. Jamar Avery Hicks
Hicks was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a vehicle driver. He joined the Army in November 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell, KY, in May 2010. He previously deployed with the Division in 2010.
His awards include one Army Commendation Medal, one Meritorious Unit Commendation, one Army Good Conduct Medal, one National Defense Service Medal, one Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Second Campaign Phase), one Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, one Army Service Ribbon, one Overseas Ribbon, one NATO Medal, one Combat Action Badge, one Air Assault Badge, and one Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicle Bar.
Hicks is survived by his spouse, Debra T. Evans, of Chicago, IL; his son, Jamar A. Hicks, Jr., 1, of Chicago, IL; his father, James N. Hicks of Memphis, TN; and his mother, Hope E. Jacobs, of Little Rock, AR.
Spc. Keith Erin Grace Jr.
Grace was assigned to 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a vehicle driver. He joined the Army in January 2012 and arrived at Fort Campbell, KY, in May 2012.
His awards include one National Defense Service Medal, one Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and one Army Service Ribbon.
Grace is survived by his parents, Keith Grace, and Sheryl L. Scott.
A memorial ceremony will be conducted in Afghanistan.
