Landis W. Garrison
Landis Wayne Garrison (January 9, 1981 – April 29, 2004) was a United States Army sergeant and the only member of the 333d Military Police Company to have died while actively serving with the unit. He died in Iraq of non-combat related causes.[2][3]
Landis W. Garrison | |
---|---|
Birth name | Landis Wayne Garrison |
Born | Moline, Illinois, U.S. | January 9, 1981
Died | April 29, 2004 23) Abu Ghraib, Iraq | (aged
Buried | Coal Valley Cemetery, Coal Valley, Illinois, U.S. |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1998–2004 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | 333d Military Police Company |
Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Awards | ![]() |
Biography
Garrison joined the volunteer Port Byron, Illinois Fire Department before graduating from Riverdale High School in 1999. He joined the military at the age of 17[3][4] and was training to be a police officer in nearby Hampton, Illinois when his unit was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom.[5]
Death
In 2004, after Garrison had arrived safely in Kuwait preparing to return home, his year-long deployment was extended by the Pentagon 90 days. He was among 20,000 soldiers whose tours were extended because of the then-surge of violence in Iraq.[6] He and his company were subsequently sent to the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, where Garrison received an accidental yet fatal gunshot wound.[2][7]
References
- Stroyan, Gina (October 30, 2009). Sgt Landis Wayne Garrison (Photograph). Find A Grave. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Warneke, Jeremy (January 28, 2016). "The Tragic Truth Of Accidental Deaths In Combat Zones". Task & Purpose. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- "Illinois soldier killed in Iraq". The Northwest Indiana Times. May 1, 2004. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- Morse, Travis (May 5, 2004). "Friends fondly recall Garrison (Fallen in Iraq)". The Journal Standard.
- Yates, Jon (May 2, 2004). "Death adds to town's frustration". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- Glauber, Bill (April 25, 2004). "A push to get troops home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
- Burghart, Tara (September 12, 2004). "After 9-11, Iraq, soldiers readjust at home". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved July 4, 2016.