505th Panther Association

PFC Ricky Taylor, 24, of Athens, Alabama, died Jan. 16 in Baghdad of wounds
sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He
was assigned as a Combat Engineer assigned to the A Co BSTB

HQ-MND Baghdad 
Camp Liberty
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
RELEASE No. 20090124-08 
January 24, 2009                                  

Paratroopers honor fallen comrade
By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
3rd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B 

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Paratrooper killed in eastern Baghdad was honored during a memorial ceremony at Forward Operating Base Loyalty Jan. 22. 

Pfc. Ricky Turner, a 20-year-old combat engineer from Athens, Ala., was assigned to Company A, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed in action when an improvised-explosive device struck his vehicle during combat operations Jan. 16 in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad.  He was on his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“He was a brother to us, and he was always willing to execute his duties no matter what,” said Capt. Aaron Cox, Turner’s company commander. “He was a quiet professional and will be remembered as an honest and dedicated man that gave everything he had because he loved what he was doing.”

His fellow Paratroopers remember Turner as a true friend and a great Paratrooper.

“Ricky always wanted to improve himself and he never complained. He always placed the mission first and never accepted defeat. He was a Paratrooper – and he loved it,” said Pfc. Anthony Beretta, Turner’s personal friend. “We will always remember him and his ultimate sacrifice. We love Ricky and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Turner enlisted in the Army in September 2007 as a combat engineer. He completed his one-station unit training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga.   

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachute Badge.

He is survived by his wife, Nyoka, stepdaughter, Arissa, mother, Regina Turner and father, James Turner.

Images from his unit services:

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