Rogers Serviceman Killed In Iraq
Woodham, 37, Survived By Wife, Three Children
Last updated Tuesday, July 8, 2008 9:41 AM CDT in News
By John Henley Jr.
THE MORNING NEWS
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ROGERS -- Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Lynn Woodham was a hero who died serving his country, said Mayor Steve Womack on Monday.
Woodham, 37, died Saturday in Iraq after being electrocuted in a vehicle maintenance area, according to a news release from Maj. Keith Moore, public affairs officer with the Arkansas Air National Guard.
Woodham, of Rogers, was a mechanic assigned to the Arkansas National Guard Delta Company, 39th Brigade Support Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team of Heber Springs. He was deployed in March to Camp Adder, Tallil, Iraq.
It was Woodham's second deployment. His first was from 2004 to 2005, after which he re-enlisted.
Woodham had worked as a mechanic at Springdale Dodge Chrysler, Womack said at a news conference Monday.
"This is a difficult time for his family and for our city," Womack said. "Our city, state and nation lost another hero."
Woodham's wife, Crystal, their three children, Patrick, 17, Mitchell, 11, and Courtney, 6, and his mother, Katherine Woodham, stood alongside Womack during the news conference.
Woodham is the second Rogers serviceman to die while on active duty this year. Marine Cpl. Kyle Weston Wilks, 24, a 2002 graduate of Rogers High School, was in a convoy of 36 vehicles in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on April 16 when the vehicle in which he was riding was struck by an explosive device. Wilks was killed instantly.
Courtney carried a portrait of her father in full dress uniform. The picture was in the right-hand side of the frame. On the left side of the frame was an American flag, under which was printed, "In service for our country."
Katherine wore a dog tag on a chain around her neck that stated, "Mom of Anthony Woodham."
Katherine said she wore the dog tag when her son was deployed the first time, removing it only when he returned home safely.
Katherine said she put the dog tag on again when he was redeployed.
"Now I guess I'll just keep it on," Katherine said, clasping the dog tag in her left hand.
Crystal described Woodham as a loving husband, a great father, a wonderful person and someone who cared about everyone around him.
"He always told all of us that he loved us," said Katherine, adding that she and her son would frequently instant message one another over coffee: Woodham from Tallil and Katherine in Drasco, near Heber Springs.
The last time the two had coffee together was Friday, Katherine said.
"I've got to go shave, mom. I love you, bye," Katherine said were the last words of his last message.
Woodham wanted to retire once he reached 20 years of service, which would have been in January, the same month he was supposed to return home.
Womack said no details of Woodham's death were released other than the cause and an investigation is ongoing.
Electrocution deaths in Iraq have been the subject of an investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
"According to the Army and Marine Corps, at least 12 service members have died in Iraq as a result of electrocution since 2003," wrote Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to Sec. Robert M. Gates, U.S. Department of Defense, in a letter dated March 19.
Waxman requested all documents relating to accidental electrocutions in Iraq. Waxman noted in his letter that the death of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, who was electrocuted while taking a shower, was the result of an improper grounding wire, according to a memorandum issued by the Army Criminal Investigative Division.
Services for Woodham will be announced by Stockdale Funeral Services in Rogers.
Reader Comments (10 comment(s))
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4Anthony wrote on Jul 7, 2008 1:48 PM:
May God Bless him and keep him while bringing peace to his family and giving them the strength to look forward.
I love you all! "
widow wrote on Jul 7, 2008 4:03 PM:
sovereignty wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:51 PM:
hi wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:47 PM:
ozarks wrote on Jul 8, 2008 7:58 AM:
Not already registered?
mom03 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:49 PM:
My thoughts and prayer go out to the Woodham family! "