Army Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart, 25, of Perrysburg, Ohio

SSgt Hart was assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died February 17, 2011 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident.

Staff Sgt. Hart, who is survived by his wife, Katharine P. Hart, and parents, Charles and Darlene Hart, has posthumously been awarded the Army Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, according to a news release from USASOC.

Described as an expert mechanic and dedicated soldier, Hart had unparalleled selfless service and technical and tactical expertise that set him apart, according to the release.

A graduate of Penta High School in Perrysburg, Hart enlisted as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in August 2003, according to his military biography.

After training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Fort Benning, Ga., Hart was first assigned to Fort Bragg in 2004 as a paratrooper and mechanic with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade.

In the next four years, Hart served as the heavy wheeled vehicle noncommissioned officer in charge and recovery vehicle operator, deploying once for a year's stay in Afghanistan.

In 2008, Hart was selected for assignment with the Special Operations Logistics Support Element, also on Fort Bragg, where he "quickly proved himself as an expert mechanic and trusted leader within the unit and easily gained the respect of his soldiers, fellow noncommissioned officers and unit leadership within a very short period of time," according to USASOC.

Unit leadership recognized his ability by deploying him individually in support of various Joint Special Operations Task Forces.

At the time of his death, Hart was stationed in Djibouti supporting Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, a cooperative partnership between civilian agencies, the U.S. Armed Forces and partner countries that provide peacekeeping, humanitarian and military assistance for countries in West Africa.

Hart's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, and the Driver/Mechanics Badge.

Perrysburg Soldier Killed in Africa

A member of the Army's Special Forces, Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart, 25, of Perrysburg, died Thursday at his base at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, from injuries sustained in a noncombat incident, the Defense Department said Sunday.

The Army said Staff Sgt. Hart and was stationed in the Horn of Africa in support of the war in Afghanistan and was assigned to the Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The military did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the incident that led to his death beyond noting that he died "while performing his official military duties."

A spokesman at Fort Bragg said deaths from noncombat incidents would trigger an investigation.

Staff Sgt. Hart's death is the third this year of area members of the Armed Forces.

Since 2003, 32 area service members have died as a result of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Hart was born June 18, 1985, in Perrysburg to Charles and Darlene Hart and graduated from Penta Career Center in Perrysburg Township. He enlisted in the Army as mechanic in August, 2003.

He attended his basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C., and volunteered for airborne training and the Ranger program at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2004, the Army said in a news release.

After his training, he was assigned as a paratrooper and mechanic in Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

Over the next four years, Staff Sgt. Hart served as the noncommissioned officer in charge and as a recovery vehicle operator, the Army said.

He was deployed for a year in Afghanistan where he received the Army Commendation Medal for his actions.In May, 2008, Staff Sgt. Hart was assigned to the Special Operations logistics support element at Fort Bragg.

While there he served as a vehicle maintenance sergeant and was called on to support different joint Special Operations task forces.

His mother, Darlene Hart, declined to comment out of respect for his widow, but she noted that the family is proud of their son and his service to his country.

Army Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart was killed in a non-combat related incident on 2/17/11.