Army Sgt. Jimy M. Malone

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Jimy M. Malone, 23, of Wills Point, Texas

Sgt. Malone was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died June 23, 2007 in Taji, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Army 1st Lt. Daniel P. Riordan, Army Sgt. Joel A. House and Army Spc. Derek A. Calhoun.

23 year old Army Sergeant Jimy Malone decided to enlist when he was a senior at Wills Point High School.

His uncle by marriage, Mike Madden, said, "He had made his mind up that that's what he wanted to do. I mean, he was hard core Army."

For advice, Jimy turned to his principal and retired Army veteran Jim Lamb.

"I knew he was going to be a success in the military, because he was always highly motivated in whatever he did," says Jim.

The Army took Sergeant Malone on two tours to the Middle East, where he saw first hand the costs of war. He shared those experiences with students at his alma mater who were considering a military career. Now, his picture will be added to the school's wall of honor so his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

"We tell kids every year when we start, 'Hey, there's kids fighting and dying on foreign soil to give you the freedom to come up here and act like a fool.' And that's what these kids are doing," says Jim.

Across town, signs of a grieving community can be seen. Flags were flown at half staff at the Veterans Memorial Park and at the Wills Point Fire Station where Jimy served shortly after high school.

And in the neighborhood where Jimy's family still lives, a row of flags were carefully placed by members of the Kiwanis Club.

John Young with Kiwanis says, "We just felt that it was very important to support the family during this time of distraught, and we're just trying to celebrate Jimmy's life."

"It's just, overwhelming love that everyone in this community shows each other," says Mike.

On the tree of his in-law's house hangs a yellow ribbon in honor of a soldier that will never return home.

There's no word yet on when Sergeant Malone's memorial serivce will be held, but his family tells us he will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

He leaves behind his wife and their five month old baby girl.

Army Sgt. Jimy M. Malone was killed in action on 6/23/07.