Army Sergeant Michael Boatright

Army Sergeant Michael Luke Boatright, 24, of Whitesboro, Texas was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed on December 4, 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck him during combat operations.

SGT Boatright was born in Lewisville, Texas, and grew up in Frisco. At Frisco High School, he participated in Future Farmers of America and rodeos and was active in the First Baptist Church youth group. He joined the Army National Guard at age 17 and trained as a combat engineer. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, he entered active duty and planned to make the Army his career.

Desty Boatright described the love of her life as a good ole’ country boy. “He loved hunting and fishing, drove a noisy old pickup, and was always goofing around, trying to make people smile.”

According to his mother, “He loved being a soldier and took his Army values very seriously; loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.”

SGT Boatright is survived by his wife and three children.