{"id":573,"date":"2019-12-15T14:53:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-15T19:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/?post_type=memoriam&p=573"},"modified":"2020-02-05T11:33:36","modified_gmt":"2020-02-05T16:33:36","slug":"pape","status":"publish","type":"memoriam","link":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/memoriam\/pape\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin M. Pape"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bio<\/span><\/h3>

Staff Sgt. Kevin Matthew Pape, 30, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Konar Province, Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Pape was a squad leader assigned to 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. He was on his sixth deployment in support of the Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Pape was born Feb. 5, 1980 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2005 from his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning.<\/p>\n

Pape graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was then assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment in April 2006, where he served as a machine gunner, team leader and squad leader.<\/p>\n

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course, Warrior Leader Course and the Advanced Leader Course.<\/p>\n

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat InfantrymanBadge and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Iraq Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.<\/p>\n

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.<\/p>\n

Pape is survived by his wife Amelia Rose Pape, his daughter Anneka Sue, both of Savannah, Ga., and his father Marc Dennis Pape and sister Kristen Michele Pape, both of Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/p>\n

As a Ranger, Pape selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army\u2019s premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.<\/p>\n

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!<\/p>\n

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Nov. 17, 2010) \u2013 A U.S. Army Ranger was killed in action on Nov. 16 during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.<\/p>\n

Staff Sgt. Kevin Matthew Pape was assigned to Co. C, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.<\/p>\n

Pape, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., was killed by enemy forces while conducting combat operations in Konar Province, Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

\u201cStaff Sgt. Kevin Pape had two priorities in his life \u2013 his family and the Rangers he led,\u201d said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. \u201cKevin was literally the lead Ranger in a heavy firefight against a large number of Taliban in some of the most rugged and extreme terrain in Afghanistan. By the manner in which he lived his life, Staff Sgt. Pape defined sacrifice, dedication, and selfless service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pape previously served on three deployments to Iraq, and this was his third deployment to Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

\u201cStaff Sgt. Pape was killed in action while leading his Rangers against known enemies of the United States,\u201d said Lt. Col. Mike Foster, commander of 1st Ranger Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment. \u201cHe is a hero to his family, the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pape is survived by his wife Amelia Rose Pape, his daughter Anneka Sue both of Savannah, Ga., and his father Marc Dennis Pape of Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"menu_order":40,"template":"","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/memoriam\/573"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/memoriam"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/memoriam"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/suaspontefoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}