R.I.P. Sgt. Joel D. Clarkson

Army Sgt. Joel D. Clarkson
Died March 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

23, of Fairbanks, Alaska; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died March 16 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds sustained March 13 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

(The following was taken from newsminer.com of Mar. 20, 2010)FAIRBANKS - An Army Ranger who was born and raised in Fairbanks has died of injuries he sustained last week while serving in Afghanistan.

Special Forces Army Ranger Joel D. Clarkson, 23, was wounded March 12 by small-arms fire while his unit was on patrol in Helmland Province. He was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Clarkson was operated on in Afghanistan, then flown to Germany for additional treatment.

This was Clarkson’s third tour of duty out of Fort Lewis, according to a family member.

Gov. Sean Parnell, in a statement Friday evening confirming Clarkson’s death, ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday.

“Sandy and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Clarkson,” Parnell said. “He was a brave soldier who sacrificed his life while defending our freedom. We offer our condolences and prayers for his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Clarkson’s mother, Karen Clarkson, gave some details of the attack to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper on Wednesday.

“A bullet entered the front side of his helmet and penetrated his skull during combat,” Williams said. “The shock of it took him out pretty good.”

Several members of Clarkson’s family traveled to Germany, where he was listed in serious condition on Monday.

Clarkson is survived by his wife, Cassandra; 9-month old son, Orion; and his parents, Karen and Steve Clarkson of Fairbanks.