Pvt. Andrew Jon Shields U.S. Army KIA 31 MAY 2008 in Afghanistan

I hate days like today.

It breaks my heart every time I post one of these stories. Andrew was doing the Nations bidding helping our Armed Forces Hunt those who started this war back in 2001.

Andrew was 19 years old.

19 years ago he was a baby in his mothers arms.

At 19 years old Andrew could not buy a beer but could give his life for his greatful Country, the United States of America.

Andrew, we at corpsman.com, “the Doc’s Site” Salute you and your family and friends.

We grieve for your loss brother, As all Doc’s who are your brothers and sisters, we grieve for you.

Taps has been sounded.

Da-Chief

Flags fly at half-staff for medic

VANCOUVER — Flags in Battle Ground are flying at half-staff in honor of Pvt. Andrew Jon Shields, a U.S. Army medic killed Saturday in Afghanistan.

Shields, 19, was the 120th member of the military with ties to southwest Washington and Oregon to perish in conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kuwait. He is the 13th from southwest Washington.

He was a 2007 graduate of Battle Ground High School and a former member of the Clark County Fire & Rescue cadet program. He was appointed a battalion chief shortly after joining the program his senior year.

“His leadership qualities were immediately identified and that’s why he rapidly rose to be a leader in his class,” said Battle Ground Mayor Mike Ciraulo, a division chief with Clark County Fire & Rescue. “He was morally and ethically superior in his standards and beliefs. He was well respected by his classmates and the instructional staff.”

Shields was the son of Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Shields. The younger Shields served with the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg Germany, according to the U.S. Army.

The U.S. Department of Defense said he and another soldier died May 31 in Jalalabad City, in eastern Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

His family asked for privacy.

In a statement, the family said Shields joined the Army while in high school. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; the combat medic course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and basic airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga.

While at Fort Benning, Shields met and became engaged to another medic, Loren Elizabeth Combs, who is serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.

While attending Battle Ground High, Shields played football. He enjoyed his family and friends, competitive shooting, hunting and fishing.

Ciraulo said Shields visited the firefighter cadet program a month or two ago, after completing his basic training and just before deploying to Afghanistan. He shared his experience with the cadets and said he was soon heading to Afghanistan, Ciraulo said.

“He was trustworthy and could always be counted on to do the right thing,” Ciraulo said. “This is a hard one. He was a standout.”

As mayor, Ciraulo said he ordered city flags to fly at half-staff, likely until Shields’ funeral.

Shields is survived by his mother, Wendy Campbell; father and stepmother, Jon and Carol Shields; sister, Ryleigh Campbell; and other extended family members.

Following is a link to Shields’ MySpace page: www.myspace.com/CowboyUp.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Researcher Lynne Palombo contributed to this story. Holley Gilbert: holleygilbert@news.oregonian.com