Honoree: Eric S. McKinley


Eric S. McKinley
Dates: Died June 13, 2004
Hometown: Corallis, OR
Branch of Service: Army National Guard
Rank: Specialist
Player: Greyson Leach

Specialist Eric McKinley, 24, of Corvallis, Oregon, was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Corvallis, Oregon. He was killed June 13, 2004, when his Humvee was ambushed by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Baghdad that destroyed two vehicles and wounded four other Oregon soldiers.

Born in Salem, SPC McKinley attended Philomath High School. He loved music and was an avid outdoorsman. Following school, he moved to Corvallis and worked as a baker at Alpine Bakery. He joined the Oregon National Guard in 1998. Upon his return from Iraq, he planned to open a juice bar in the college town provide a drug- and alcohol-free environment for young people.

“It’s tragic that the Oregon National Guard lost a soldier, but the true tragedy is that our community, and country, lost a caring, curious, loyal and amazing human being,” said his squad leader Sean Davis. Friends from the Irish Celtic band, Amadan, played his favorite music at his funeral, a special remembrance.

McKinley is survived by his father, Tom McKinley and mother, Karen Hilsendager.