Army Sgt. Brahim J. Jeffcoat

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Brahim J. Jeffcoat, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sgt Jeffcoat died near Balad, Iraq, while conducting convoy operations and an improvised explosive device detonated his HMMWV. He was assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Brahim Jeffcoat was raised in a deeply spiritual family with a deep commitment to public service. His grandmother Amatullah raised her children to fight racial injustice in America, be the victims African-American, Jewish or Islamic. His aunt Desiree served in the U.S. Navy and as a local police officer, and his mother Julia has worked as a nurse and an advocate for impoverished Philadelphians.

So, it wasn't a surprise when Brahim, a George Washington High graduate who went to the Community College of Philadelphia and then Temple University for business administration, enlisted in the National Guard.

"He loved his country," says Julia. "He was proud to be an American soldier."

When the War on Terror broke out, Brahim was stationed in Germany. At some point in late 2003, he went to Samarra, Iraq. The family doesn't know exactly when because he hid it from them, claiming he was still in Germany. Later, he admitted he lied to keep them from worrying.

When the vehicle flipped over, Brahim was pinned, his pelvis crushed. He still pulled the remainder of his men out. It is the family's understanding that Brahim lived for an hour longer.

Army Sgt. Brahim J. Jeffcoat was killed in action on 08/06/05.