Soldier Honored: Shaun J. Whitehead

Army Staff Sergeant Shaun J. Whitehead, 25, of Commerce, Ga., was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. SSG Whitehead was killed on April 24, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol.

A graduate of Commerce High School in Commerce, Ga., SSG Whitehead went on to join the Army in 2003 and was stationed at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne. His grandfather served in Korea and Vietnam, and SSG Whitehead signed up knowing he would soon be on his way to Iraq. On visits back to Georgia with his family, Whitehead would run at the first sight of his mother to pick her up and twirl her around, laughing.

Among SSG Whitehead’s awards and commendations are an Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and many others.

SSG Whitehead is survived by a wife, son and step-daughter, who is a recipient of the Folds of Honor Higher Education Scholarship.