Army Spc. John P. Sigsbee

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. John P. Sigsbee, 21, of Waterville, N.Y.

Spc. Sigsbee was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Jan. 16, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained from grenade and small-arms fire during combat operations. Also killed were Pfc. Danny L. Kimme and Pfc. David H. Sharrett II.

News 10 Now -- WATERVILLE, N.Y. -- "Giving his life, he died a hero. It just says what type of young man he was."

Specialist John Sigsbee, 21, a Waterville native, was killed Wednesday after an enemy attack in Balad, Iraq. Sigsbee's High School Guidance counselor, Bob Gray says John was a great kid and his character showed after being injured in Iraq in 2006.

"He chose to return, I think he had a very strong bond with his comrades and fellow soldiers and could not leave them and that just says what kind of young man he was,” said Bob Gray, Waterville Guidance Counselor.

Gray says coming to work has also become a little more difficult because of where the Sigsbee's live.

"They live right down the road from the school here and it's tough driving to work in the morning when you drive by the house,” said Gray.

Now Gray says the loss of John is taking a toll on the entire community. He says everyone is coming together because of it."

"There certainly is a great sadness there but I think there's also a lot of pride in the young man in representing our community the way he has,” said Gray.

One of the ways the community is remembering John is by flying the Village American flag at half-staff.

“He'll be remembered forever,” said Gray.

When Sigsbee was injured by a roadside Bomb in Iraq in 2006 he received the Purple Heart. He was deployed with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Army Spc. John P. Sigsbee was killed in action on 1/16/08.