Army Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr.
Death: Apr 10, 2009
of St. Louis Mo.; assigned to the 1st Battalion 67th Armor Regiment 2nd Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division Fort Carson Colo.; Died April 10 in Mosul Iraq when his vehicle was struck by a suicide bomber. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Gary L. Woods Jr. Sgt. 1st Class Bryan E. Hall Cpl. Jason G. Pautsch and Pfc. Bryce E. Gautier. Soldier showed dedication to his ‘brothers’ The Associated Press Edward W. Forrest Jr.’s sister asked him not to re-enlist and go to war for the third time. “I told him I didn’t want him to be a hero. I just wanted him to be my brother” said Melissa Forrest-Pliner. “But he said he owed it to his brothers — that’s what he called the soldiers in his unit — to go back and help them finish up the job.” Forrest25 of St. Louis Died April 10 when his vehicle was struck by an explosive in Mosul. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Carson. In high school Forrest known as “Eddie” was a long-distance runner and was also on the wrestling team. “He was a very enthusiastic member of the track and field program” said his former coach Rolland Garrison. “He was a very good kid with a great smile.” Forrest and his wife Stephanie were living in Colorado Springs with their 3-year-old son Bradan and a newborn son Jameson. “Edward was home last month to witness the birth of their youngest” said his father-in-law Ron Foster. “Edward returned to Iraq for his third tour of duty right after the birth.”Operation Iraqi Freedom