Army Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore

Sgt Freeman was assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Aug. 11, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, Spc. Jordan M. Morris and Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez.

Sgt Freeman had been at Fort Drum in April 2010. He had previously deployed to Iraq 2007 and had been in Afghanistan since March.

Del Ali Rawlings, 46, a longtime friend and mentor, remembered Freeman’s discipline and dedication to his wife and two young children..

“He was a courageous, brave individual, an all-around good guy,” said Rawlings, who taught and trained Freeman in kuntao, a form of martial arts practiced in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Rawlings met Freeman when the two worked together as security officers for the University of Maryland when Freeman was 19, Rawlings said.

“He constantly bugged me to teach him [kuntao],” said Rawlings, who founded the Black Tiger Kuntao Academy in Baltimore in 2005.

Freeman trained three hours a day, four days a week with Rawlings, completing rigorous routines including 2,000 jumping jacks and 800 push-ups. He competed in world championships held in New Orleans and Chicago, Rawlings said.

“I demand a whole lot from my students, and he was the first one to reach a black belt,” Rawlings said. Photos of Freeman and his fighting trophies decorate Rawlings’ studio in Windsor Mill, he said.

August 30, 2011
Black Belt Freeman (as my family and I know you) it was nice to have gotten to know you and your family. I thank you for all the years of experince you have taught my son in the form of martail arts. I know my wife and I have told you before but you are one of the reasons why Dj has matured in the art in the ways that he has. That longggg ride to chicago for the tournament was crazy but I got to know a real good guy. And I will never forget you or what you stand for.

Much Love, from The DeRamus Family...P.S. Dj says thank you and he really misses you.~ Derrick Deramus, Baltimore, Maryland

Sgt Freeman's awards and decorations include:
Commendation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievements (2)
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NATO Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Services for Sgt Freeman were held at Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church on Thursday, 1 Sep 2011. He was laid to rest at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.

Sgt Freeman is survived by his mother (no name mentioned);wife, Jennifer; and two children, Jameel Jr., age 5, and Jenessa, age 2.

Army Sgt. Jameel T. Freeman was killed in action on 8/11/11.