Wilhelm, Keiffer Prescot
Male
Verified Private Second Class Keiffer Prescot Wilhelm, 19, of Plymouth, Ohio, was a U.S. Army cavalry scout. He was killed in action on August 4, 2009, at Forward Operating Base Hunter in Maysan province, Iraq.
Their Story
Keiffer Prescot Wilhelm was a 19-year-old soldier from Plymouth, Ohio. He served as a cavalry scout assigned to Bravo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based at Fort Bliss, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On August 4, 2009, Wilhelm died at Forward Operating Base Hunter in Maysan province, southeastern Iraq. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during a mounted patrol. He was the only service member killed in the incident.
Operation Iraqi Freedom began with a U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. By 2009, the conflict had entered a phase focused on counter-insurgency and training Iraqi security forces. Maysan province, bordering Iran, was a known transit route for weapons and militants, making it a high-risk area for patrols.
The Army posthumously promoted Wilhelm to the rank of Private First Class. He was survived by his parents and siblings. His body was returned to Ohio, where he was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth.
Wilhelm is memorialized on the Iraq War Veterans Memorial in his hometown. His name is also inscribed on Panel 50W, Line 12 of the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial in Sunbury.
Explore Further
Keiffer Wilhelm was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010). The conflict concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Kennedy, Brian Matthew, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Gutierrez, Jose, Waters-bey, Kendall Damon.
