Ghost 7

AFZC-B-N-CDR March 20, 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR The Honorable Mel Martinez, Senator of Florida

SUBJECT: Staff Sergeant Joshua Hager, United States Army.

Dear Senator Martinez,

On am writing on behalf of Mr. Kris Hager – father of Staff Sergeant Joshua Hager. SSG Hager was recently killed in action in Ramadi, Iraq and I understand it is your desire to provide him some kind of tribute and honor. I am SSG Hager’s Battalion Commander and on behalf of every Soldier and Marine in our Infantry Battalion Task Force, please accept my humble effort to honor a fallen comrade who was an exceptional American Soldier and who also happened to be a Son, Husband, and Father. Despite being responsible for over 1300 men, I knew Joshua Hager personally and spent most of my days on the battlefield with him.

The 1^st Battalion, 9^th Infantry Regiment is a Task Force that consists of over 1300 Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors organized into six Infantry Rifle Companies, one Tank Company, a Forward Support Company, and Headquarters Company. Our Battalion has been conducting combat operations against insurgent forces in East Ramadi, Iraq since late October 2006. The city of Ramadi – particularly East Ramadi where we operate – is probably one of the most dangerous places in Iraq. Close combat with enemy insurgents occurs everyday in the form of rifle and machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and improvised explosive devices. Despite this seemingly endless enemy contact, the civilian populace and many brave Iraqi Army Soldiers and Policemen fight and sacrifice bravely alongside us with the dream that one day Iraq will be normal again.

The Scout Platoon normally operates with my Battalion Assault Command Post which is myself and a couple radio men. This element operates and has seen more of East Ramadi than any other platoon in the Battalion. Some days we are on foot patrol inside the city, other days we are on vehicles, and sometimes both during extended periods of combat operations. The Scout Platoon often conducts sensitive raids and reinforces other elements in contact. Most of our days are spent out on the ground with our Rifle Companies.

On February 22d, 2007 the Scout Platoon and I were conducting a vehicle movement at night along a route we had traveled many times before. Joshua and the rest of the Scouts have every inch of this road memorized. Joshua’s vehicle was number two in the order of movement and I was number three. It was pitch black and very difficult to see without night vision goggles. Joshua was the element leader and had conducted a detailed convoy briefing before we left and personally inspected all of us and the vehicles. He was very deliberate and left nothing to chance. Our speed was slow and our jammers were on – basically doing everything possible to reduce our odds from hitting an IED, but it wasn’t enough. About halfway to our destination, Joshua’s vehicle was struck by a large, deeply buried improvised explosive device that was carefully camouflaged and somehow the first vehicle missed. Nearby Scouts and I immediately moved to provide first aid and security but there was nothing we could do for Joshua. He was instantly killed by the blast and two other Scouts in the vehicle were wounded. One of the nearby platoons from one of my Rifle Companies moved to assist us and they struck another large improvised explosive device killing two more Soldiers and wounding another. We worked feverishly to evacuate the wounded and recover our dead.

I have been in the Army for about 23 years and served in numerous Infantry, Special Forces, and Ranger Battalions. I have served about three years collectively in combat in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq and SSG Joshua Hager is one of the best Sergeants I have ever served with and I trusted my life with him. He was one of the very best Non-Commissioned Officers in the battalion – an Airborne Ranger – that I hand picked to be the Scout Platoon Sergeant after watching him lead one of my Rifle Platoons during training back at Fort Carson. He was the consummate professional and the absolute standard bearer for his platoon. I spent many days and nights conducting combat operations with Joshua nearby me. I can personally attest to his courage and commitment during many firefights and combat operations before he was killed. He died doing what he loved and what he was very good at and I was proud to serve with him. I hope and pray that our Nation will always appreciate the ultimate sacrifice he and his family have made. I will never forget Joshua and I carry his memory burned into my heart as we continue to fight in the city of Ramadi.

Joshua and I had both served as Rangers in previous assignments. Rangers – regardless of when or how long they serve – live, fight, and die by a creed for the rest of our lives. This creed is something that we take very seriously and I know Joshua had it memorized and lived by it. He would want to share with you and anyone else willing to listen.

Respectfully,

CHARLES P. FERRY

Lieutenant Colonel,

InfantryCommander,

Task Force 1-9 Infantr