Staff Sergeant Eugene Henry Eli Alex, 32, of Reese, MI was assigned to 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was wounded by small-arms fire on his 32nd birthday, August 30, 2006. He died September 2, 2006, of injuries sustained in that attack.

SSG Alex joined the Army in May 1996. He had recently married and was working at a granary. He enlisted so he could better provide for his family. On his second tour to Iraq, he was on radio watch and worked around the forward operation camp. As his brigade was preparing to come home, the violence in Baghdad had spiraled out of control. SSG Alex requested that he be returned to a line unit so he could return to duty with his fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his selfless service to his country.

SSG Alex was married for nine years and had three children. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and making his wife go camping. SSG Alex loved making memories with his children. His wife said, “Eugene was not just a soldier, he was a loving caring friend, husband and father. He loved his family very much.”