American Heroes

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Rest in peace, Ranger.

PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Army Ranger killed in combat

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 15, 2011) – A U.S. Army Ranger was killed in action on June 14 during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  Staff Sgt. Jeremy Andrew Katzenberger was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

He was killed by direct fire from enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Paktika Province.

A native of Weatherby Lake, Mo., Katzenberger enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 2004. For more than six years, Katzenberger served as a rifleman, automatic rifleman, team leader and Ranger squad leader in 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regt.

The 75th Ranger Regt. has been continuously deployed to Afghanistan since October 2001.

“Staff Sgt. Katzenberger was a phenomenal Ranger who died while leading his men in an assault against our enemies. He died while protecting our Nation and we will not forget his sacrifice,” said Col. Michael Foster, commander, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. “He was universally respected by every member of this command and was a devoted, loving husband and proud father. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Katzenberger family.”

Katzenberger previously served on four deployments to Iraq and this was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan.

“I wish the American people could truly understand the dedication and sacrifice that Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger made for his country. Since early 2005, Jeremy has either been in combat or training for combat. This was his eighth combat deployment,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regt. “Jeremy was the epitome of a Ranger squad leader; he is a hero to our Nation, the Army and his family.”

Katzenberger is survived by his wife Colleen A. (Montgomery) Katzenberger, son Everett James both of Richmond Hill, Ga., and his parents Robert and Peggy Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake, Mo.

In 2001, U.S. Army generals caused an uproar within the ranks by stealing the black beret, which had for more than a decade been associated with U.S. Army Rangers, and giving it, unearned, to the Army at large.

I remember the sense of disgust at learning that every cook, clerk, and maintenance man in the Army would now be wearing the symbol of the Ranger – the one which I myself had earned 15 years earlier by successfully completing the rigorous three-week Ranger Indoctrination program. My class started with more than 150 and 37 made it to graduation.

When the big Army took over the black beret, Rangers adopted another mark of distinction: the tan beret.

Fast forward another 10 years and the Army has now decided to ditch the black beret altogether. Apparently it took them that long to figure out the hat was not good for field use (We never wore it in the field).

It is hot in summer, cold in the winter, and does nothing to keep its wearer from being scorched by the sun or soaked by the rain. One trooper put it this way, “It’s like wearing a wet sock on your head.”

I couldn’t agree more. In the last 10 years I’ve learned that a hat can never confer honor or prestige. It can signify an accomplishment, but pride can never be given – it must be earned.

So goodbye black beret. The timeless patrol cap will take its place on the crowns of our soldiers around the globe. And I don’t think anyone will mourn the change.

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Most Americans can name the contestants on the hit show “American Idol,” but very few can name even one of the eight men who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroic actions in battle since 9/11.

This week I’m delighted to see that one more is being added to their numbers. This one is especially sweet for two reasons, the first being that SFC Leroy A. Petry is still alive, since most medals of this kind are awarded posthumously.

Secondly, SFC Petry is a Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment, where I myself served two decades ago.

Ranger Petry was on a rare daylight mission in Afghanistan to capture a high-level Taliban warlord when he was shot through ;both legs. He continued to fight, however, saving the lives of several of his men.

Then a grenade was thrown and landed nearby, and would likely have killed them all, but for quick thinking and selfless action on the part of Ranger Petry. He grabbed the live grenade and threw it away from his men, whereupon it detonated, blowing Petry’s hand off.

Even still, the wounded man and his comrades continued to fight until he was eventually recovered.

Petry would be the first to say, however, that he would gladly give up the award if it would bring back his teammate, Spc. Christopher Gathercole, who was killed in the same engagement.

Leroy Petry will live the rest of his life as a hero to the nation, but heroes bear the great burden of those who did not come home.

Our congratulations, and prayers go out to this man, who has certainly proved the Ranger Motto: Rangers Lead the Way.