Fallen Soldier: Jessica L. Cawvey

Sergeant Jessica L. Cawvey, 21, of Normal, Ill., was assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company of the Illinois Army National Guard. On October 6, 2004, Sgt. Cawvey was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq.

SGT Cawvey graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in 2001 and earned her associate degree in accounting from Parkland College in 2003. She was also pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University to provide for her daughter. To continue her educational path, she joined the U.S. Army National Guard in the spring of 2001.

"Any task she was given she would always get accomplished. She was an excellent battle buddy,” said one of her fellow soldiers. “She would do everything in her power to protect me. I will always remember her incredible laugh that would get everyone around her laughing. "

SGT Cawvey’s daughter is a Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient.