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Return to First Friday Briefing Click on photos for larger version and details Georgia Guardsman’s
memory honored Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Conrad College, 372nd MPAD
Willoughby died July 20 in a vehicle rollover accident near Baghdad. He is thought to be the first Georgia Army Guardsman to die in a combat operation since World War II, and the first Georgia Guardsman killed since the Korean War when three pilots of the Air Guard's 158th Fighter Squadron were lost. The approximately 150 soldiers of Company H were joined for the memorial service by another unit, the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, based in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. The 203rd is a multi-component unit, being comprised of both Army Reserve and active duty soldiers.
Willoughby, known in his unit as the ultimate Ranger, had served as a U.S. Army Ranger on active duty for eight years with the 75th Ranger Regiment, based in Fort Lewis, Wash. First he was in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, for five years. Later he was selected for duty with the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Reconnaissance Detachment where he served for three more years. During that period, he served on numerous overseas deployments, including Operation Restore Hope in Haiti in 1994. Besides completing the Ranger course and the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) course, Willoughby had also completed many Special Forces courses, ranging from Special Forces HALO Jumpmaster School to the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course. In 2000, Willoughby separated from active duty to enroll at Auburn University, and went on to complete his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Auburn, while also serving in the Georgia Army National Guard. In the memorial service in Baghdad, five soldiers spoke from the podium of their personal experiences with Willoughby. First, his company commander, Capt. Matthew Smith, said, "Men, I cannot describe the pride I feel each and every time I stand in front of you – but Sergeant Willoughby could. His pride as a leader of this company and the United States Army was palpable. And we are all better off because his impact on us is equally palpable. Each of us will feel and experience the smile, the technical expertise, the courage of Chris Willoughby for the rest of our lives." Then Sgt. 1st Class Colin Thompson stepped up to the podium and said, "He was the kind of guy who was instantly likeable. His friendly demeanor belied his knowledge and abilities." Thompson said, "As an E-7 he was my peer, as a soldier he was a mentor, as a human being, he was my friend. I trusted him implicitly and loved him like the brother I never had. Though I am not a religious man, forever I will look to the night sky and know that one of those rising stars is Christopher Willoughby. I miss you already, brother. We’ll see you on the high ground." Sgt. 1st Class Carl Anderson spoke next. In part, he said, "Will, I remember the day the first sergeant came to me and asked who I recommended out of the third platoon to take over second platoon. I couldn’t think of anyone more capable of the job than you. That is until I told you and you panicked like I had just told you that you were going to the NCO of the year board – in 10 minutes. But you took the ball and ran with it further and faster than anyone could have asked. I’m proud of you, brother, and I appreciate everything you did for all of us. Love you man." Staff Sgt. John Gilliland was the fourth speaker. He said that Willoughby and he had been planning a big golf game at a certain course upon returning home. "I’ll have a hard time playing on that course now, when the time comes" Gilliland said, "but you better bet that first tee off will be for that Ultimate Ranger in the sky. "And all of you, when the phrase Ranger in the sky is mentioned, better think first of Sgt. 1st Class Willoughby. He is the embodiment of a Ranger, setting the example for the honorable task assigned to anybody tough enough to earn the right to be called a Ranger. He is in a much better place now. He along with God will be watching over us. "Remember to take the time to say a prayer for his family, again and again. His children and wife especially," Gilliland said. Then Chaplain (Maj.) Eduardo Docampo gave a short meditation followed by the first sergeant’s remarks. 1st Sgt. Michael Hurndon, said, "We, the Company H Band of Brothers have lost a brother from our sight. That is tragic. A monumental loss it is and it hurts deeply. "However, we have been incredibly fortunate by knowing Sgt. 1st Class Willoughby. Blessed we have been to have served, for however long, with Sgt. 1st Class Will. He is the Giant in so many aspects. Will set the bar high for us all, and high it remains. This has made us all better. Our time with Will has made us better soldiers, sergeants, Rangers and human beings." 1st Sgt Hurndon concluded, "None finer than the Will." Willoughby lived in Phenix, Ala., where, in his civilian role, he was employed by Robinson, Grimes and Co. He is survived by: his wife, Jeannine and their two sons, 9-year-old Blake and 16-month-old Collin; his father, Robert Willoughby of Greenville, S.C.; his mother, JoAnn Hudson of Grants Pass, Ore.; and his sister, Sandy Willoughby of Grants Pass. |
