Lawrence D. Ezell - Sergeant First Class, United States Army

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 378-08

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence D. Ezell, 30, of Portland, Texas, died April 30, 2008, in Baghdad of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. He was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, Fort Carson, Colorado.

A decorated veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was killed Wednesday in Baghdad, the first casualty from his Fort Carson-based bomb disposal group.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence D. Ezell, of Portland, Texas, died after an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations, the Department of Defense said Saturday.

A soldier of 62nd Ordnance Company (EOD) Joint Task Force Troy MND-B kneels to pay a respects to his fallen comrade
SFC Lawrence D.Ezell during a memorial service at the Camp Taji north of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 3, 2008

Soldiers of 62nd Ordnance Company (EOD) Joint Task Force Troy MND-B salute as they pay respects to their fallen comrade
SFC Lawrence D.Ezell during a memorial service at the Camp Taji north of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 3, 2008.

Ezell, 30, was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist. He was on his second tour in Iraq, deploying November 1, 2007, with fellow members of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group. The unit has fewer than 100 people in Iraq.

He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

He served in Iraq from March 2003 to October 2004 and in Afghanistan from October 2005 to April 2006, according to records from Fort Carson.

Ezell joined the Army on Jan. 11, 1997, and the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group on March 23, 2007.

A casualty assistance officer reached by telephone at Ezell’s Fountain home on Saturday said the soldier’s widow, Christina, did not want to comment. The Gazette could not locate relatives in Texas.

Ezell remembered for wanting to serve

A Tivy High School graduate was laid to rest Monday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sergeant First Class Lawrence David Ezell, 30, died April 20, 2008, in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations.

He is survived by his wife, Christy, and his 2-year-old son, Tristan. His immediate family members live in San Angelo.

Ezell was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist on his second tour in Iraq.

He served in Iraq from March 2003 to October 2004 and in Afghanistan from October 2005 to April 2006. He most recently was deployed November 1 as a member of the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group of Fort Carson, Colorado, which has fewer than 100 people in Iraq.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Randall Fernette of Ingram, a reservist who was called to active duty after the September 11, 2001. attacks, said Ezell used to ride along with him when Fernette was a Kerrville Police Department officer.

“He was trying to decide whether he wanted to go into law enforcement or the military,” Fernette said. “He would ride with me on patrol. He was always eager to learn and interested in just about everything.”

Precinct 1 Constable John Lavender taught Ezell while he was a student at Tivy.

“David was very mature for his age and goal-oriented,” Lavender said. “He was in my auto mechanics class but was very interested in law enforcement at the time.”

Ezell worked at the Kerr County Jail for a while and was a member of the Kerrville armory of the Texas Army National Guard before he joined the military.

“I remember David as someone who was very patriotic, loyal and who loved his country,” Lavender said. “I’m sure he was a distinguished soldier defending this country in Iraq.”

His military commendations echo Lavender’s sentiments.

Ezell’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

NOTE: I just found out that this very good friend of mine at Fort Carson from 1998-2000 had passed over a year ago.

I ETS’d from the Army in March of 2003 after being Stationed in Ansbach Germany on the Katterbach Army Airfield with at least 2 people who also knew Dave well during our time @ Carson.

I also just found out that he had remarried and had a son. My heart goes out to his Family. I wish there was some way that I could tribute my friend and also let his family know what a wonderful friend, soldier, and Man he was. Even though I only knew Dave for a short time I will not forget him or his smile, compassion, and willingness to do anything for a friend and probably even a stranger that he has never met.

I appreciated him taking me under his wing when I first got to Colorado. It was my first permanent duty station after training and as you can imagine after 4-5 months of training I was getting pretty homesick. Dave showed me around introduced me to his friends and made me feel much more at home in the Army and in Colorado. I am sure that my life has been infinitely enriched for having known Dave and am very saddened at his passing. I don’t think I ever knew anyone who disliked Dave. His smile could literally “light-up” a room. Please let me know how I can honor his grave site and/or send my respects to his family. He was a great man and should be remembered as such. He was too young with tons of potential and plans and hopes and dreams. One of the smartest people I met in my 5 years of service.

EZELL, LAWRENCE D
SFC US ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/10/1977
DATE OF DEATH: 04/30/2008
BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8732
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

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Lawrence D. Ezell – Sergeant First Class, United States Army

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