Landis W. Garrison

Landis Wayne Garrison (January 9, 1981 – April 29, 2004) was a United States Army sergeant and the only member of the 333d Military Police Company to have died while actively serving with the unit. He died in Iraq of non-combat related causes.[2][3]

Landis W. Garrison
Birth nameLandis Wayne Garrison
Born(1981-01-09)January 9, 1981
Moline, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 29, 2004 (2004-04-30) (aged 23)
Abu Ghraib, Iraq
Buried
Coal Valley Cemetery, Coal Valley, Illinois, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1998–2004
Rank Sergeant
Unit333d Military Police Company
Battles/warsIraq War
Awards Bronze Star[1]

Biography

Garrison joined the volunteer Port Byron, Illinois Fire Department before graduating from Riverdale High School in 1999. He joined the military at the age of 17[3][4] and was training to be a police officer in nearby Hampton, Illinois when his unit was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom.[5]

Death

In 2004, after Garrison had arrived safely in Kuwait preparing to return home, his year-long deployment was extended by the Pentagon 90 days. He was among 20,000 soldiers whose tours were extended because of the then-surge of violence in Iraq.[6] He and his company were subsequently sent to the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, where Garrison received an accidental yet fatal gunshot wound.[2][7]

References
  1. Stroyan, Gina (October 30, 2009). Sgt Landis Wayne Garrison (Photograph). Find A Grave. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  2. Warneke, Jeremy (January 28, 2016). "The Tragic Truth Of Accidental Deaths In Combat Zones". Task & Purpose. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  3. "Illinois soldier killed in Iraq". The Northwest Indiana Times. May 1, 2004. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  4. Morse, Travis (May 5, 2004). "Friends fondly recall Garrison (Fallen in Iraq)". The Journal Standard.
  5. Yates, Jon (May 2, 2004). "Death adds to town's frustration". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  6. Glauber, Bill (April 25, 2004). "A push to get troops home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  7. Burghart, Tara (September 12, 2004). "After 9-11, Iraq, soldiers readjust at home". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved July 4, 2016.



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