Army Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler, 32, of Austin, Texas

Sgt. Mittler was assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 10, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire.

Sergeant Shaun M. Mittler, 32, of Austin, Texas, was an indirect fire infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. He entered the Army in December 1999 and arrived at Fort Campbell in May 2008.

Army Staff Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler last visited family in the Kansas City area over Christmas. Then it was back to his unit and on to Afghanistan. But he appeared concerned about his new assignment, his father said Friday. “I could just tell by his demeanor that this time it was a little bit different with him,” Terry Mittler said.

Shaun Mittler was killed July 10 when his unit was attacked in Konar, Afghanistan, with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.

“He grew into a great man; we are very proud of him,” his father said.

Mittler grew up in Gladstone and attended Oak Park High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1998 and also had served in the Kansas National Guard.

“He wanted to serve his country,” Terry Mittler said. “When the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred, Shaun told me (that) had he not enlisted a couple of years ago, he would have done it then.”

Mittler previously served two tours in Iraq. He was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, his father said.

Mittler loved sports, camping and the outdoors. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Terry Mittler said his son wanted to go back to school with the goal of advancing in the Army. He owned a house in Clarksville, Tenn. “I am going to miss seeing his beautiful smile. He just lit up a room when he walked in. Everybody was his friend,” his father said.

Mittler’s awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Meritorious Unit Citation; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Air Assault Badge; Driver/Mechanic Badge; and Weapons Qualification: M4, expert.

Mittler is survived by his wife, Maricel B. Mittler, daughter Christine Mittler and step-son John Barcel of Mililani, Hawaii; father Terry Mittler of Kansas City, MO; and mother Joyce Turner of Gladstone, MO.

Army Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler was killed in action 7/10/10.