Soldiers' Angels Mourns SGT Nathaniel S. Baughman

From Donna of the Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team:

We have a fallen hero from Soldiers' Angels, Nathaniel Baughman.

Sgt. Nathaniel S. Baughman, 23, of Monticello, Ind., died of injuries on July 17 in Bayji, Iraq, when his HMMWV encountered enemy forces rocket-propelled grenades during patrol operations.

Baughman was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Nate is survived by his wife, Erin and son, Hunter.

Thank you for supporting the families of our fallen heroes and their Angels.

Donna

Nathaniel is also survived by his parents and siblings including a twin brother Nick Skorup, who serves in the U.S. Navy.

"He was definitely proud of what he was doing and he definitely wanted to protect his family and his friends and his country," said his mother Jill Baughman.

She said it was her son's last mission and he was scheduled to return home in a few weeks. Nathaniel had served in the National Guard before enlisting in the Army.

From this story about Nathaniel from the Pharos-Tribune, a local newpaper:

After being hugged by friends, Baughman’s mother, Jill, read a letter he had written to his family. She spoke to a few dozen friends, relatives, media and police officers gathered for a press conference. The text of the letter read:

“I fight for my country so that people can have their freedom and there are many who disagree with us being here. So anybody who is grateful and support us even by just writing a letter, it is a good feeling to feel that what we are doing is not done in vain, but with the support of great American people."

The Patriot Guard Riders are standing by to ride for Sgt. Baughman pending family request.

Update: The Patriot Guard Riders will be riding for Sgt. Baughman on July 25.

Please take a moment to read the Army Sgt. Nathaniel S. Baughman tribute at the Soldiers' Angels Fallen Heroes blog.

Remember our Heroes.