Army Staff Sgt. James R. Ide V

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. James R. Ide V, 32, of Festus, Mo.

SSgt. Ide was assigned to 230th Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Sembach, Germany; died Aug. 29, 2010 in Hyderabad, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

A soldier from Festus Missouri has been killed in Afghanistan. Family members say Army Staff Sgt. James Ide the fifth was shot in the head and killed Sunday while on a mission. Ide went into the Army after graduating from Desoto High School In Jefferson County in 1997. And 13-years later, still loved what he did, according to his family.

Army Staff Sgt. James R. Ide V wasn't afraid to talk about the prospect of his own death. "He always knew it was a distinct possibility," said his aunt, Carol Kline.
As the handler of a bomb-sniffing dog, Ide of Festus was often in a vulnerable spot, at the front of his Army unit when it was on maneuvers.

Ide, 32, who was serving in Afghanistan, told his wife, Mandy, exactly what to post on Facebook if he was killed. On Sunday, she posted that message: "I do not know what to say, but this is the way Jimmy asked me to tell his friends. Jimmy passed away this morning. He died in combat in Afghanistan. Jimmy loved his job and if he could choose a way to go this would be it."

Ide also leaves behind a daughter, Trinity, 7, and a 16-month-old son, Jas. His family was living in Germany.

Ide was a 1997 graduate of De Soto High, who joined the army after high school. Kline said he loved animals and became interested in service dogs through a cousin who trained them.

At the time of his death, Ide was working with a Belgian Malinois dog, who was always at his side, Kline said.

Ide met his wife while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He served one tour in Korea and two in Iraq. His tour in Afghanistan was scheduled to end in October, Kline said.

Kline said her nephew's Christian faith was a large part of his life and that he often made reference to the Bible in conversations. Ide also enjoyed writing poetry and riding motorcycles and was endlessly curious about the world, Kline said. "He really just liked playing with his kids and being with friends," Kline said.

Kline also said "it's very hard for everyone in our family. we're a very large family and we're clinging to each other trying to help each other"

He worked in the the canine unit, training bomb sniffing dogs. Ide's family members say he loved animals and helping others. Ide planned to make a career of the military retiring in seven years. At this point there's no word on when his body will be returned home. Ide, 32, died in Hyderabad, Afghanistan of wounds sustained during an insurgent attack with small arms fire. He served in Korea and two tours in Iraq before his current posting in Afghanistan. Ide was a canine handler working with Daphne, a bomb sniffing dog, often in the most dangerous situations.

His wife Mandy and two small children are currently in Germany. Loved ones describe Jimmy Ide as an outgoing person, dedicated to his family and his faith. Ide's family said he would have come home in October. They're now planning his funeral at Jefferson Barracks.

Army Staff Sgt. James R. Ide V was killed in action on 8/29/10.