| From The Oregonian oregonlive.com
08/28/12:
Baker City soldier Spc. Mabry Anders remembered as 'bubbly, fun kid'
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 5:29 PM Updated: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 10:11 AM
By Richard Cockle, The Oregonian
BAKER CITY -- Mabry James Anders, who died Monday of injuries from enemy small arms fire in Kalagush, Afghanistan, was a "bubbly, fun kid," a Baker High School administrator recalled Tuesday.
Spc. Anders, 21, the son of Troy and Genevieve Woydziak of Baker City, joined the Army on Jan. 5, 2010, and was deployed to Afghanistan this past March 10. He worked as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.
"He was a very likeable, social kid. He had an upbeat personality," said Baker High Assistant Principal Gundula O'Neal.
Anders' parents said they were proud of their son and his service to the nation. "Mabry always gave his all, and in the end he gave all he had," they said in a prepared statement. "We will miss his fearless spirit and love of life."
Anders was the 155th member of the military from Oregon and Southwest Washington to die in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Born in Yuma, Ariz., on July 22, 1991, Anders will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and NATO Medal, in addition to the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and other awards, the army reported.
He left Baker High School before his senior year ended and transferred to the identically named Baker High School in the San Bernadino County town of Baker, Calif.
Also killed in the action that took Anders' life was Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell, 25, of Windsor, Colo. They were assigned to the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo. |
