He rose rapidly to be a 1SG in 4-10 MTN, where he was carrying out the Abrams Charter of leading American Soldiers. He was weeks from going home when his FOB (Shank) came under attack and Bill was hit leading his Soldiers.
RLTW!
1SG Bill J. Siercks from Lincoln, Missouri
1SG Siercks served with:
Born in 1979, Ranger Siercks was 32 years old at the time of his death in 2011.
Complete biography is below the photo gallery
1SG Bill J. Siercks 's Biography
He rose rapidly to be a 1SG in 4-10 MTN, where he was carrying out the Abrams Charter of leading American Soldiers. He was weeks from going home when his FOB (Shank) came under attack and Bill was hit leading his Soldiers.
His wife, Georganne Thorpe Siercks is an incredible Mother and Wife and was by his side when he finally passed - God Bless her and their two boys, Gabriel and Gage. Billy Joe - you will never be forgotten my brother in arms. RLTW!
During his military service, 1SG Bill J. Siercks also served in 2nd Bn, 10th Aviation Reg, 10th Combat Aviation Bde, 10th Mountain Div.
1SG Bill Siercks - KIA in RC-East Afghanistan 28 SEP 11. Friend, Father, Husband, and American Ranger. It is not very often you meet and serve with someone who embodies the American spirit - well, I have, and it was in this young man.
I had the privilege to serve him as his Commander in ECO 51 LRSC for the initial operations into Kosovo in 2000. It was a close unit with an incredible group of Warriors and Leaders - Billy being one of our brotherhood! I have kept in contact with most of these Warriors over the years and in Bill's case, got to watch him rise rapidly to be a 1SG in 4-10 MTN, where he was carrying out the Abrams Charter of leading American Soldiers. He was weeks from going home when his FOB (Shank) came under attack and Bill was hit leading his Soldiers. His wife, Georganne Thorpe Siercks is an incredible Mother and Wife and was by his side when he finally passed - God Bless her and their two boys, Gabriel and Gage. Billy Joe - you will never be forgotten my brother in arms. RLTW!
- COL Scott Nelson
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http://www.drum.army.mil/news/Article.aspx?ID=3493
10th Mountain Division Soldier killed in Afghanistan
Press Release
Release Nr: 1110-01
October 3, 2011
Fort Drum Public Affairs
10th Mountain Division Soldier killed in Afghanistan
Fort Drum, NY - A 10th Mountain Division Soldier died Wednesday September 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained on September 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
Killed is First Sergeant Billy J. Siercks, age 32, of Velda Village, Missouri. He was an infantry senior sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
Siercks joined the Army in May 1997. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia he was assigned to Fort McNair, Washington D.C., Kelly Barracks in Germany, Fort Drum , New York, returned to Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to Fort Drum in May 2010. He deployed to Bosnia in April 2000 to October 2000, Kuwait from August 2002 to October 2002, Iraq from February 2003 to November 2003 and
Afghanistan from February 2006 to November 2006. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan in October 2010.
Ranger Siercks' awards and decorations include
- two Bronze Stars,
- Purple Heart,
- two Army Commendation Medals,
- three Army Achievement Medals,
- Meritorious Unit Commendation,
- four Army Good Conduct Medals,
- Kosovo Campaign Medal,
- two Afghanistan Campaign Medals,
- Iraq Campaign Medal,
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
- two Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons,
- Army Service Ribbon,
- two Overseas Service Ribbons,
- three NATO Medals,
- Drill Sergeant Identification Badge,
- Ranger Tab,
- Combat Infantryman Badge,
- Expert Infantryman Badge,
- Pathfinder Badge,
- Parachutist Badge,
- Senior Parachutist Badge.
He completed the following courses: the Senior Leadership Course, the Combatives Level 1 and 2 Course, the Drill Sergeant School, Total Army Instructor Training, Advance Leadership Course, the Pathfinder Course, the Long Range Reconnaissance Course, the Jump Master Course, the Rappel Master Course, the Warrior Leadership Course, the Ranger Course, the Combat Life Savers Course and the Airborne Course.
Siercks is survived by his wife, two children, a mother, father, and step-mother.
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http://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-1st-sgt-billy-j-siercks/6568008
Army 1st Sgt. Billy J. Siercks
Died September 28, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom
32, of Velda Village, Mo., died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Missouri governor orders flags lowered to honor fallen soldier
The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered flags at all state buildings and the city of St. Louis to be flown at half-staff Thursday to honor a soldier who died in Afghanistan.
Thirty-two-year-old 1st Sgt. Billy Joe Siercks of Lincoln will be buried Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Siercks died Oct. 1 of wounds he suffered when his unit was attacked in Logar, Afghanistan.
Nixon on Tuesday also ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings in Benton County be flown at half-staff from Nov. 12 to Nov. 17.
Siercks was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
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http://oefkia.blogspot.com/2011/10/us-army-1st-sgt-billy-siercks.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/3/1022485/-
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Missouri
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Mo., died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. ~ DoD News Release
Billy Siercks enlisted in the Army during his senior year at Lincoln High School and eventually became part of the elite group of Army Rangers.
1st Sgt Siercks served tours in Kosovo and Iraq and had only a few weeks left on this current tour in Afghanistan.
Billy's mother, Toni Siercks said that while under attack and missiles coming in, Siercks was trying to round up the other soldiers and herd them into a bunker. Others were injured, but only Billy died.
He loved the camaraderie and the closeness of the guys. They loved him and he love them to death. He believed in what he was doing.
Some of his friends in the military grew up in rough environments and didn't come from strong families. He wanted to be their protector and their leader.
Billy Sierck was married to Georganne Siercks who grew up in Nokesville, Virginia and lives there now with the couple’s two young sons. Ultimately, his plans were to return to Lincoln, Mo., open a small business and build a home on the family farm.
Siercks’ family set up a Facebook page, Prayers for Billy while he was hospitalized and updated some 600 friends and family members as the seriousness of his condition became clear.
Here are a few of the posts:
...On Tuesday, 09/27, Billy’s FOB (Forward Operating Base) endured a rocket attack. Along with Billy, there were 5 other Soldiers who sustained injuries and all were medically evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany. Billy suffered severe injuries from shrapnel to the back of the neck, head, and spine. Tests confirmed that he was no longer with us on Wednesday, 09/28.
All 5 injured Soldiers stayed at Billy’s side every chance they could until Billy’s Dad, Georganne, and Billy’s Mother-In-Law arrived on Thursday, 09/29. After many consults and liaisons, it was decided that he would be taken off life support at 10pm Germany time....4pm east coast time, Friday 09/30. Georgann...e has met with every one of the Soldiers injured in the attack, and she strongly suggests that they desperately need our prayers for a speedy recovery. She has seen first-hand that these men have suffered not only physical wounds, but emotional wounds as well. They are deeply saddened that they’ve lost such a fine leader. Although she cannot list their names at this time, she asks that we please include them in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Michelle Roane Rist
Billy Siercks my brother you will truly be missed. I am honored to have served with you on 3 different deployments. Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. You are a true leader and a awesome friend. Billy you are a true American Hero. Georganne and your two little boys Gage and Gabriel I am so sorry for your lose dear friends. Your in my prayers. Billy Siercks may you Rest In Peace brother. I will truly miss you! We Love You! ~ Adones Flores
I will start the SOUND OFF TO YOU BILLY..... .........HOOOOOAH, from Washington state. ~ Scott Siercks
He was an exact model of the soldier I always wanted to be. And he has set the bar so high for standards of how to be a man that I don't know of anyone that can reach them. ~ Rob Hardwick
