thedrifter
04-18-06, 06:52 AM
2 Kentuckians' deaths caused by roadside bombs in Iraq
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FRANKFORT - Two Kentucky men sent to Iraq, one with the National Guard and the other with the Marines, died over the weekend.
Master Sgt. Clinton Cubert, 38, of Lawrenceburg died Sunday in Lexington from injuries inflicted in Iraq last fall. Lance Cpl. Justin Sims, 22, of Covington died Saturday in Iraq. Both were killed by roadside bombs.
The Kentucky Army National Guard's 2113th Transportation Co. was already on tour in Iraq last year when it received word that a fourth platoon needed to be added as a convoy escort.
The unit had no experience in protecting large convoys against insurgent attacks in the war-torn country, but Capt. William Serie didn't hesitate when he named Cubert as the new platoon's leader.
"He was the most dedicated in making sure his soldiers were trained, equipped and ready," Serie said yesterday in a telephone interview from Paducah. "People use the word 'dedicated' and 'outstanding' and things of that nature, but I think those words don't really express what he did for us. He was truly a person that was outside the mold."
Cubert was on patrol Sept. 11 when a bomb went off near the Humvee he was riding in near Samarra. He died Sunday morning at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center of the injuries he suffered in the attack. Cubert was a 19-year veteran of the National Guard and worked in the combined support maintenance shop at the Guard's headquarters in Frankfort.
Cubert is the 10th Kentucky Army National Guard soldier to die as the result of combat action in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Amy, and their daughters, Alisha and Sarah.
"Clinton was a great father, husband and solder," Amy Cubert said in a statement from the Guard. "He loved his community and his country and will be terribly missed by everyone who knew him."
Cubert received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during his service. He was promoted to master sergeant upon returning to Kentucky, and was recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly last month.
Sims was among four Marines who died in an attack Saturday in Al-Anbar province, the Department of Defense said.
Sims had lived with his mother, Alma Jones, in Covington, and attended Holmes High School, where he graduated in 2003, said his father, Beechie Sims.
"He loved the Marines and what they stood for," Beechie Sims told The Cincinnati Enquirer. He joined the Marines after graduation, his father said. Justin Sims married in December 2004, just before heading to Iraq for his first tour of duty.
He returned to Iraq a month or so ago, the last time Beechie Sims heard from his son.
Justin Sims is survived by his wife, Leah, and six half-sisters, Beechie Sims said.
He said he expects his son's remains to be flown home in three or four days. Funeral arrangements are pending.
A funeral for Cubert was planned for Wednesday in Lawrenceburg, followed by a graveside memorial with full military honors at Camp Nelson in Nicholasville.
Rest In Peace
Ellie
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FRANKFORT - Two Kentucky men sent to Iraq, one with the National Guard and the other with the Marines, died over the weekend.
Master Sgt. Clinton Cubert, 38, of Lawrenceburg died Sunday in Lexington from injuries inflicted in Iraq last fall. Lance Cpl. Justin Sims, 22, of Covington died Saturday in Iraq. Both were killed by roadside bombs.
The Kentucky Army National Guard's 2113th Transportation Co. was already on tour in Iraq last year when it received word that a fourth platoon needed to be added as a convoy escort.
The unit had no experience in protecting large convoys against insurgent attacks in the war-torn country, but Capt. William Serie didn't hesitate when he named Cubert as the new platoon's leader.
"He was the most dedicated in making sure his soldiers were trained, equipped and ready," Serie said yesterday in a telephone interview from Paducah. "People use the word 'dedicated' and 'outstanding' and things of that nature, but I think those words don't really express what he did for us. He was truly a person that was outside the mold."
Cubert was on patrol Sept. 11 when a bomb went off near the Humvee he was riding in near Samarra. He died Sunday morning at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center of the injuries he suffered in the attack. Cubert was a 19-year veteran of the National Guard and worked in the combined support maintenance shop at the Guard's headquarters in Frankfort.
Cubert is the 10th Kentucky Army National Guard soldier to die as the result of combat action in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Amy, and their daughters, Alisha and Sarah.
"Clinton was a great father, husband and solder," Amy Cubert said in a statement from the Guard. "He loved his community and his country and will be terribly missed by everyone who knew him."
Cubert received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during his service. He was promoted to master sergeant upon returning to Kentucky, and was recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly last month.
Sims was among four Marines who died in an attack Saturday in Al-Anbar province, the Department of Defense said.
Sims had lived with his mother, Alma Jones, in Covington, and attended Holmes High School, where he graduated in 2003, said his father, Beechie Sims.
"He loved the Marines and what they stood for," Beechie Sims told The Cincinnati Enquirer. He joined the Marines after graduation, his father said. Justin Sims married in December 2004, just before heading to Iraq for his first tour of duty.
He returned to Iraq a month or so ago, the last time Beechie Sims heard from his son.
Justin Sims is survived by his wife, Leah, and six half-sisters, Beechie Sims said.
He said he expects his son's remains to be flown home in three or four days. Funeral arrangements are pending.
A funeral for Cubert was planned for Wednesday in Lawrenceburg, followed by a graveside memorial with full military honors at Camp Nelson in Nicholasville.
Rest In Peace
Ellie