Marlin Stutzman: “Over 2 weeks ago, Staff Sergeant Kevin Matthew Pape, age 30, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy fire fight while…”

“Over 2 weeks ago, Staff Sergeant Kevin Matthew Pape, age 30, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy fire fight while conducting combat operations in the Konar province of Afghanistan. Born February 5, 1980, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sergeant Pape enlisted in the United States Army in September of 2005 from his home town of Fort Wayne. As a squad leader assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Pape was on a remarkable sixth deployment, with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. Sergeant Pape's awards and decorations for his service are too numerous to list here. However, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service medals. Sergeant Pape is survived by his wife, Amelia Rose Pape; his daughter, Anneka Sue; his father, Marc Dennis Pape; and his sister, Kristen Michele Pape, both of Fort Wayne. Sergeant Pape selflessly lived his life for others, distinguishing himself as an Army Ranger while continuously deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and fighting valiantly as he served our great Nation and following the Ranger creed. ____________________”