Specialist Brandon Mullins, 21, of Owensboro, Kentucky, 2008 Apollo High School graduate, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; died August 25, 2011 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan while serving Operation Enduring Freedom, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. For his heroic service, Specialist Mullins received several awards, medals, and decorations including the Bronze Star, the military’s third highest award, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Brandon was active in Daviess County youth sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, and football, however, Brandon found his niche in high school playing for the Owensboro Hockey League serving as Captain of his team and earning the league's MVP award. Brandon was the middle child of Tommy and Cathy Mullins. Soon after graduating high school, Brandon followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother when he enlisted in the US Army. His brother in law also is enlisted in the US Army.
From Military Times --
"He wanted to serve and was proud to serve’
The Associated Press
OWENSBORO, Ky. — A soldier killed in Afghanistan has been remembered as a selfless young man who made a difference in the lives of others.
Army Gen. Steve Lyons told hundreds of people who attended a funeral service on Sept. 11 for 21-year-old Spc. Brandon Scott Mullins of Owensboro that he was the heart of his platoon and the epitome of service. Lyons said those were just two reasons Mullins has been nominated to receive the Bronze Star, the Messenger-Inquirer of Owensboro reported.
“Some people can live their entire lives wondering, did they make a difference,” Lyons said. “We never have to wonder about Brandon’s life.”
Mullins was killed when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Kandahar province on Aug. 25. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
David Mullins said his nephew knew the risks of enlisting, but decided to follow in the steps of his older brother, father and grandfather.
“He wanted to serve and was proud to serve,” Mullins said, adding that his nephew had planned to re-enlist.
Youth pastor Damian Schoonmaker said Mullins has found himself in the Army.
“He became such a man — faithful, stalwart, servant-hearted and passionate.”
Christy Chaney of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, which handled the service at Good Shepherd Church in Owensboro, said about 1,500 people signed a register in remembrance of the soldier.
He was buried in Owensboro Memorial Gardens.
Specialist Brandon Mullins, 21, of Owensboro, Kentucky, 2008 Apollo High School graduate, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; died August 25, 2011 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan while serving Operation Enduring Freedom, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. For his heroic service, Specialist Mullins received several awards, medals, and decorations including the Bronze Star, the military’s third highest award, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Brandon was active in Daviess County youth sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, and football, however, Brandon found his niche in high school playing for the Owensboro Hockey League serving as Captain of his team and earning the league's MVP award. Brandon was the middle child of Tommy and Cathy Mullins. Soon after graduating high school, Brandon followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother when he enlisted in the US Army. His brother in law also is enlisted in the US Army.
From Military Times --
"He wanted to serve and was proud to serve’
The Associated Press
OWENSBORO, Ky. — A soldier killed in Afghanistan has been remembered as a selfless young man who made a difference in the lives of others.
Army Gen. Steve Lyons told hundreds of people who attended a funeral service on Sept. 11 for 21-year-old Spc. Brandon Scott Mullins of Owensboro that he was the heart of his platoon and the epitome of service. Lyons said those were just two reasons Mullins has been nominated to receive the Bronze Star, the Messenger-Inquirer of Owensboro reported.
“Some people can live their entire lives wondering, did they make a difference,” Lyons said. “We never have to wonder about Brandon’s life.”
Mullins was killed when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Kandahar province on Aug. 25. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
David Mullins said his nephew knew the risks of enlisting, but decided to follow in the steps of his older brother, father and grandfather.
“He wanted to serve and was proud to serve,” Mullins said, adding that his nephew had planned to re-enlist.
Youth pastor Damian Schoonmaker said Mullins has found himself in the Army.
“He became such a man — faithful, stalwart, servant-hearted and passionate.”
Christy Chaney of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, which handled the service at Good Shepherd Church in Owensboro, said about 1,500 people signed a register in remembrance of the soldier.
He was buried in Owensboro Memorial Gardens.
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