Army Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Mo.

Sgt. Kohlhaas was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died April 21, 2008 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Army Spc. Steven J. Christofferson.

Two Fort Campbell soldiers killed in Iraq
The Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — A soldier from Kentucky who spent his time between the football field and the hunting field was among two infantrymen who died this week in Iraq from injuries suffered when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, who grew up in Cadiz, Ky., and Spc. Steven J. Christofferson, 20, of Cudahy, Wis., died Monday in Bayji, the Department of Defense said.

They were both assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Kohlhaas joined the Army nearly six years ago and had been at Fort Campbell since October 2002. He was on his third deployment since enlisting the summer before his senior year of high school, his brother, Nate Kohlhaas, said Thursday.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, of Bowling Green, Ky.; his daughter, Londyn Nelson of St. Peters, Mo., and his father, Henry Kohlhaas of Cadiz, Ky. His father said he enlisted in the Army in Missouri.

Adam Kohlhaas, who just recently turned 26, impressed his football coaches at Trigg County High School with his dedication and enthusiasm, his brother said.

“He didn’t do nothing normal — he had to take an extra step,” Nate Kohlhaas said. “He was a big guy with a big heart.”

An avid turkey hunter, Adam Kohlhaas was an expert with guns, his brother said. A memorial Web site created by his family shows a picture of him as a grinning child, holding up a fish longer than his torso.

He was hoping to take leave in July to go on a honeymoon with his new wife, Nate Kohlhaas said.

Henry Kohlhaas said Adam lost his mother in January 2007, and an uncle 12 months later.

“It’s been a continued numbness,” he said, “but he’s back in his mom’s arms.”

Funeral arrangements were pending.

Christofferson joined Army in June 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2006. He is survived by his mother, Michell Christofferson, also of Cudahy, and his father, Jeffrey Christofferson.

Christofferson was a 2006 graduate of Cudahy High School, where he played football, wrestled and ran track.

Including Kohlhaas and Christofferson, a total of 229 soldiers from Fort Campbell have died in the Iraq war. Of those, 28 soldiers have died in the latest deployment, which began in September.

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Funeral held for Fort Campbell soldier killed in Iraq
The Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The family of a Fort Campbell soldier who was killed in Iraq accepted awards for him at a tearful funeral Thursday.

The ceremony for 26-year-old Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas of Bowling Green was held at J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home in his home town. After the funeral, military rites were performed outside the chapel and family and friends placed roses on his casket.

“Over 4,000 have died in Iraq, and it’s now personal,” the Rev. Sally McClain said. “This last week has been days of weeping and mourning.”

The Bowling Green Daily News reported that Kohlhaas’ family was presented with three awards he received in the military: the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal.

“He cared more about others than himself, which often led to him getting in over his head,” Adam’s father, Henry Kohlhaas said. “I’ll miss your hugs and smile, and I’ll never forget them. I’m so proud of you, son.”

Kohlhaas and 20-year-old Spc. Steven J. Christofferson of Cudahy, Wis., were killed April 21 in Bayji. They were assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

On the same day as Kohlhaas’ funeral, the military announced the combat death of another Fort Campbell soldier in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Clay Craig of Mesquite, Texas, also a member of the 101st Airborne Division, was killed Monday in Baghdad.

Including Craig, 233 soldiers from Fort Campbell, which straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border, have died while deployed in the Iraq war. Of those, 32 have been in the current deployment that began last fall.

Kohlhaas had been at Fort Campbell since October 2002 and was on his third deployment.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca, of Bowling Green, Ky.; his daughter, Londyn Nelson of St. Peters, Mo.; and his father, Henry Kohlhaas of Cadiz, Ky.

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Army Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas remembered
The Associated Press

When Adam J. Kohlhaas died, he was riding in a lead vehicle so all the others in his unit would be safe.

“There’s no greater love than laying down your life for a friend,” Chaplain Lt. Col. Rhett Starnes said. “Adam was doing exactly what he wanted to do. He loved being a soldier, he loved being a father, and he loved life. He gave completely of himself.”

Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Mo., was killed April 21 in Beiji when his vehicle struck an explosive. He was assigned to Fort Campbell and was on his third deployment.

Kohlhaas impressed his football coaches in high school with his dedication and enthusiasm, his brother said. “He didn’t do nothing normal — he had to take an extra step,” Nate Kohlhaas said. “He was a big guy with a big heart.”

He was on his third deployment, and loved to hunt and play guitar.

“He had a way of touching people’s lives without really trying,” said Joe Misuraco, his best friend. “I’m proud to call him my friend, not just my friend, but my best friend.”

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and a daughter, Londyn.

Army Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas was killed in action on 4/21/08.