Army Spc. Kurt W. Kern, 24, of McAllen, Texas
Spc. Kern was assigned to 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; died Dec. 27, 2011 in Paktya, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Army Sgt. Noah M. Korte and Army Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire.
Spc Kern was killed along with Sgt Noah Korte and Pfc Justin Whitmire when a bomb detonated while they were on combat operations in Paktia.
Spc Kern graduated from McAllen Memorial in 2006, where he played football. He joined the Army in September 2009 as a military police officer. He arrived at Fort Hood in September 2011.
Spc Kern volunteered with another unit when his original deployment was cancelled. He had been deployed to Afghanistan for less than a month when he was killed.
Spc Kern loved to cook and studied at the Texas Culinary Academy in Austin.
Older brother, Keith, said his brother was "proud to be a soldier and really loved his job. Ever since he was little, he wanted to be a soldier. He finally went for it and loved it."
Bill Littleton, McAllen Memorial Athletic Director, said, 'I just remember him as a hard working young man who played football for us here at McAllen Memorial and he was a good kid. I'm just sorry that it happened. I'm sure Kurt was doing what he wanted to do and I say that every time a young man loses his life doing what he loved. He tried to make this a better country so you appreciate what he's done.
Spc Kern's awards and decorations include:
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Spc Kern is survived by his parents and his brother, Keith.
Army Spc. Kurt W. Kern was killed in action on 12/27/11.
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