Willett, Gary De
Male
Verified U.S. Army Sergeant Gary De Willett, 34, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, died on February 8, 2008, in Taji, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Their Story
Gary De Willett was a 34-year-old sergeant from Alamogordo, New Mexico. He served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
On February 8, 2008, Sergeant Willett was killed by hostile fire in Taji, a city north of Baghdad. The Department of Defense stated he died from wounds sustained during a small arms fire engagement while on a dismounted patrol.
His death occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a conflict that began with a U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. By 2008, the war had entered a phase characterized by counterinsurgency operations and efforts to train Iraqi security forces.
Sergeant Willett was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. He was survived by his wife and children. His body was returned to the United States for burial.
He is memorialized on the Iraq War Veterans Memorial and by his unit. The 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment continued its deployment in Iraq following his death.
Explore Further
Sgt. Gary De Willett 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.
