Army Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes, 36, of Tampa, Fla.

SFC Heringes was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Aug. 24, 2007 near Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations in Bayji, Iraq.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper dies in Iraq
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died from injuries sustained when a landmine detonated near his vehicle in Bajyi, Iraq, Friday.

Sgt. 1st Class. David A. Heringes, 36, of Tampa, Fla., was a Platoon Sergeant with the Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 82nd Abn. Div.

"Sgt First Class Heringes represented everything good about our paratroopers," said Capt. Desmond Jack, the 1st Bn., 505th PIR rear detachment commander. "He always strived to be the best at everything he did."

Heringes joined the Army in November 1991. He completed two over seas tours in Korea from January 1998 to November 1998 and February 2003 to February 2004.

"His willingness to serve his country and lead great soldiers is just two examples of the type of soldier Heringes was. Sergeant First Class Heringes will be sorely missed by all those who had the honor of serving with him. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers." added Jack.

Heringes had one previous combat deployment in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, with the 1st Bn., 505th PIR from September 2004 to November 2004.

Heringes' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct medal with 4 loops, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Master Parachutist's Badge.

Heringes is survived by his wife, Shannan Heringes; his son, Logan, his step-daughter, Cheyenne Ward all of Raeford, N.C.; and his parents, Ronald and Joyce Heringes of Spring Hill, Fla.

The unit will hold a memorial service in Iraq.

Tampa Soldier Killed In Iraq
By Laura Fiorilli of TBO

TAMPA - Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes, a graduate of Tampa's Leto High School, joined the U.S. Army 15 years ago because he had a passion for it.

"He was making a career of it and he had no problem where they sent him," said his father, Ron Heringes, of Spring Hill. "That was part of his job.

On Friday, Heringes, 36, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while he was on a mission in Bayji, Iraq, near Tikrit.

"Right now, it is still a shock," said his brother-in-law Bobby Rhone of Wesley Chapel. "Everyone here is still in disbelief."

David A. Heringes

David Heringes had served in Iraq for one year. He had been scheduled to return to the United States this month, but four months ago he learned his tour was extended until November, Ron Heringes said.

He said he had been communicating with his son once a week by phone or e-mail and that his spirits had been positive. David Heringes never spoke about his missions.

He was born in Cleveland and his family moved to Tampa when he was 15. He graduated from Leto High in 1989.

After high school, he worked as an auto mechanic. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the military, Ron Heringes said, and he planned to stay 20 years or more.

David Heringes became a paratrooper with the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was also a mechanic for the Army.

He served six weeks in Afghanistan during elections and two years in South Korea, Ron Heringes said.

He described his son as fearless and a "fun-loving father." He enjoyed working on motorcycles and cars, Bobby Rhone said.

In addition to his father and brother-in-law, he is survived by his wife, Shannan Heringes, of Fayetteville, N.C.; a son, 5-year-old Logan Heringes, and a stepdaughter, 9-year-old Cheyenne Ward, both of Fayetteville, N.C.; his mother, Joyce Heringes of Spring Hill and his sister, Melissa Rhone, 27, of Wesley Chapel.

No date has been set for the funeral, but he likely will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Ron Heringes said. The family also has not set a date yet for a local memorial service.

Army Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes was killed in action on 8/24/07.