Our Latest American Hero #118

johnkdaggett
Originally uploaded by Randuwa

Army Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, of Phoenix; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died May 15 in Halifax, Canada, of wounds sustained May 1 in Baghdad when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.

“Phoenix Soldier Dead After Grenade Attack In Iraq”

An Army soldier from Phoenix has died of wounds he suffered in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Baghdad earlier this month, the Department of Defense announced Friday.

Sgt. John K. Daggett died in Halifax, Canada, on Thursday. While en route from Iraq to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on May 1st, four days after he was wounded, the plane had to land in Halifax in order to tend to his injuries.

Daggett, known as Kyle, attended Pinnacle High School in Phoenix where he played football for four years.

“He worked hard to put himself in the position of starter and a linebacker on our defense,” said his former coach, Dana Zupke. “Every day, he came to practice with a positive attitude and can-do attitude ... he was just that kind of kid.”

He also cared about academics as much as sports.

“You get that sometimes with athletes — they have an incredible work ethic on the field but don’t apply that in the classroom,” Zupke said. “Kyle definitely was not in that category. He was on top of his grades all the time. Beyond decent grades, I think he genuinely enjoyed learning and being in high school and being involved in different classes.”

Daggett was assigned to a Stryker combat team in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was a fire team leader.

Daggett joined the Army in June 2005. He was serving his first tour in Iraq.

Zupke said Daggett often talked about the Army and the strong sense of duty he felt.

“He came to see me and said he planned to enlist in the Army Rangers,” Zupke said. “I believe he referenced Pat Tillman at one point.”