Army Spc. Justin E. Culbreth

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Justin E. Culbreth, 26, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Spc. Culbreth was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Nov. 17, 2010 at Panjway district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Justin E. Culbreth was born and raised in Wentzville, Missouri, where his parents still reside. He attended Warrenton High School, then was homeschooled and finished early before joining the Army in 2004.

His family says he liked playing paintball and video games, and enjoyed fishing and deer hunting with his friends.

Spc. Culbreth was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, for a couple of years and he met his wife there. They married and created a large family in Colorado Springs with their children and stepchildren. Spc. Culbreth and family moved to Fort Campbell in 2009, where they lived in Clarksville while he was being trained. He was deployed to Afghanistan in February with Delta Company.

During his career, Spc. Culbreth was deployed to Korea, and also served a tour of duty in Iraq. Culbreth received commendations for his earlier service in Korea and Iraq, and has since received numerous commendations, including the Purple Heart Medal, for his service in Afghanistan.

"He was a fine young man growing up," his father Walter Culbreth said in The Gazette. "He had his mind set. He wanted to serve his country. We miss him."

SPC Culbreth is survived by his wife, Kimberly Culbreth; son, Brandon S. Culbreth; step-daughters, Katelyn R. Carbaugh, Mariah J. Bailey and Hannah G. Carbaugh and step-son, Cole R. Carbaugh, all of Clarksville, Tenn. He is also survived by his parents Walter and Cheryl Culbreth of Wentzville, Mo.

Army Spc. Justin E. Culbreth was killed in action on 11/17/10.