A Rock Island woman was killed in Iraq Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded near the truck she was driving in the Baghdad area.
Sgt. Jessica M. Housby, 23, of the 1644 Transportation Unit of the Illinois National Guard based in Rock Falls, was part of a convoy hauling cargo from forward operating base Scania to forward operating base Stryker at the Baghdad Airport, according to the Illinois National Guard.
Scania is a convey support center about 90 miles southwest of Baghdad near the village of Nippur along the main supply route to Kuwait.
First news of her death was released by her family, through Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan.
The 1644 was mobilized for its second deployment in Iraq in August. It is a medium truck company with about 170 members.
In 1999, Ms. Housby was named top cadet of 187 cadets from eight Explorer Posts taking part in a training exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisc.
Lt. Archie Rose of the Illinois National Guard said at the time that her "hard work, enthusiasm and the responsibility" resulted in the award.
She graduated from Rock Island High School in 2000.
Quad Cities Online - Rock Island woman killed in Iraq
'Let's go home son' is how we captioned the photo
3 comments:
I only knew Jessie as an extended member of the 1644th Trans Comp family. She is/was a beautiful, intelligent, friendly, smiling bundle of energy, a credit to herself, her family, and her country.
My heart goes out to her family and friends in their great loss. I am sure God has taken her to a better place.
Thank you for posting a tribute to our fallen. It helps make it more personal to have someone who knew her speak of her qualities.
Jessie Housby was a close friend of mine and a co worker . She was the most honest,upstanding young women . She was a beautiful,smart,caring and gifted person. We will miss her very much.
We love you Jess"lilft"
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