South Dakota Soldier killed in Afghanistan


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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
www.state.sd.us
 
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
CONTACT:    The 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-0661/0662, or Maj. Orson Ward, South Dakota National Guard public affairs officer, at (605) 737-6721 or cell (605) 431-8753.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
South Dakota Soldier killed in Afghanistan
 
PIERRE, S.D. - The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
 
Corporal Tanner O’Leary, 23, of Eagle Butte, S.D., was a combat infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
 
O’Leary died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive devise that detonated when he was moving to an over-watch position as part of a reconnaissance element on Sunday, Dec. 9, in Musa Qal’eh, Afghanistan.
 
Gov. Rounds asks that all the people of South Dakota please remember Corporal Tanner O’Leary’s family in their thoughts and prayers as we join with them to mourn this tragic loss.
 
O’Leary is survived by his mother, Carmen O’Leary, of Eagle Butte; and his daughter, Alexis, of Mankato, Minn.
 
“We will always remember Tanner O’Leary for the upstanding commendable paratrooper he was and the sacrifices he made for his country,” said Capt. Thomas Renner, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th PIR.

O’Leary joined the Army in January of 2005. He graduated Infantry One Station Unit Training in May of 2005 and the Basic Airborne Course in June of 2005 at Fort Benning, Ga. 
 
He arrived to the 82nd Airborne Division in August of 2007 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th PIR as an infantryman.
 
“His death was tragic and premature but the impression he made on his fellow brothers and paratroopers will last forever,” added Renner. “His death reminds us of the honor and selfless service that he embodied.”
 
O’Leary’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
 
The unit will hold a memorial service in Afghanistan. Further details about funeral arrangements will be announced when they become available.
 
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact the 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-0661/0662, or Maj. Orson Ward, South Dakota National Guard public affairs officer, at (605) 737-6721 or cell (605) 431-8753.