R.I.P. Pfc. Billy G. Anderson

Army Pfc. Billy G. Anderson
Died May 17, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

20, of Alexandria, Tenn.; assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died May 17, in Badghis province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with improvised explosive devices.

(The following was taken from www.newsobserver.com of May 22, 2010) FORT BRAGG -- A Fort Bragg paratrooper was killed Monday in western Afghanistan, the 82nd Airborne Division announced Friday.

Pfc. Billy G. Anderson, 20, was killed when a homemade bomb exploded during a foot patrol in Badghis Province, according to the 82nd's news release.

Anderson, from Alexandria, Tenn., was a combat engineer assigned to Company A, 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

"Pfc. Anderson was always motivated, and he always had a big grin on his face," Staff Sgt. Samnang Long, Anderson's platoon sergeant, said in the release. "It seemed like nothing could bring him down. I consider it to be a great honor to have had him as a soldier under me."

Anderson enlisted in the Army in June 2009. After Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Anderson reported to Fort Bragg in November.

He was assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, which had deployed to Afghanistan in August. He joined them there in March.

Anderson is the 24th soldier in the 4th Brigade Combat Team killed since the unit deployed.

"Even though I only knew him for a short time as the platoon leader, he instantly made an impression on me as a motivated young soldier with a positive attitude and great outlook on life," said 1st Lt. Daniel Newell, Anderson's platoon leader. "He will not be forgotten by the members of this platoon, and I can only hope more soldiers will follow his example and personal demeanor."

Anderson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart among others.

Anderson is survived by his wife, Caitlin, his daughter, Lilly, his mother, Patricia Goodwin, and his father, Billy Anderson.

A memorial in his honor will be held in Afghanistan.