Our Latest American Hero #41

timothyafulkerson
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Army Spc. Timothy A. Fulkerson, 20, of Utica, Ky.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; killed Oct. 8 when a landmine detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Tikrit, Iraq.

“'All American' Dies Protecting Fellow Troops”

Spc. Timothy Adam Fulkerson joined the Army in 2004 to get his college education, his uncle said Wednesday.

Instead, two years after enlisting, he lost his life in Iraq.

Fulkerson, a 20-year-old Fort Bragg paratrooper, died Sunday from wounds he received during combat operations near Tikrit, Iraq, according to a statement from the 82nd Airborne Division.

Fulkerson, of Utica, Ky., was assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Reconnaissance, 82nd Airborne Division.

Fulkerson’s mother offered to work three jobs to help put her son through college, Greg Skaggs said. But Adam, as he was called by his family, wanted to pay for his own education.

And the Army offered him that opportunity, Skaggs said.

Fulkerson was 13 when he went to live with Skaggs and his wife, Anissa “Nikki” Skaggs. He was the son of Tammy Brown and Timothy L. Fulkerson. He was a 2004 graduate of Daviess County High School in Owensboro, Ky., Skaggs said.

“He was an avid drawer,” Skaggs said. “He drew cartoon characters.”

Friends and family will remember Fulkerson for his wit and his personality.

“He was about as witty as you could get,” Skaggs said. “He was a bright light. You could walk into a room, and you knew he was there.”

Fulkerson’s company commander agreed.

“His positive attitude and side-splitting sense of humor kept us all upbeat, even in the most difficult of times,” Capt. Jonathan T. Belmont said in the statement. “I felt honored to serve with such a fine trooper.”

Fulkerson was the epitome of the all-American kid.

“If you looked under American boy in the dictionary, his picture would have been right there,” Skaggs said.

Fulkerson, who worked on Apache Longbow helicopters, volunteered to go on a convoy, Skaggs said, when he could have stayed on base.

Skaggs and his wife learned of Fulkerson’s death Monday when Army personnel came to their home. Skaggs’ first thought, he said, was that they were lost and looking for directions. He commended the soldiers for their dignity and professionalism.

“I know their job sucks, probably worse than anything,” Skaggs said.

Fulkerson was assigned to the 82nd Airborne in April 2005. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

“He was a great all-American who died while protecting fellow troopers,” Col. Kelly Thomas, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander said in the statement. “His professionalism and dedication serve as an exemplary model for every soldier.”

A memorial service was held Tuesday in Iraq. Funeral arrangements are incomplete pending the return of Fulkerson’s body to his family.