SSgt. LeRoy Otis Webster (1980-2009

WEBSTER, RIECK, PEDERSON, BREON, JATHO

Posted By: obriencc (email)
Date: 2/17/2016 at 15:34:12

Staff Sgt. LeRoy O. Webster, 28, a native of Hartley, Iowa. He was a 1999 graduate of Hartley-Melvin Sanborn High School and married Jessica Rieck on July 29, 2000, in Hartley. He enlisted in the National Guard and mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Iowa Army National Guard (Algona) in 2002, providing security at a Department of Defense installation in Newport, Indiana. He deployed to Afghanistan with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard (Council Bluffs) in 2004-2005.
After returning from that deployment, LeRoy moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., and later transferred to the active duty Army in March 2006. From October 2006 to January 2008, he deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and performed duty in Baghdad. His last deployment began in January 2009 in Iraq, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
He died after being shot while on a dismounted patrol. LeRoy's awards include The Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
LeRoy loved being outdoors and spending time with family and friends, whether he was hunting, camping, or just playing in the yard with the girls. He enjoyed taking his wife golfing or on a motorcycle ride. His new-found hobby was playing the Wii with his daughters—they especially loved Guitar Hero.
SSGT Webster is survived by his wife Jessica and daughters Natasha, Kaydence and Jadyn; his parents, Donald and Crystal Webster, brother Matt Webster and sister Connie Breon, all of Hartley; his grandmothers, Maxine Webster of Emmetsburg and Carolyn Pederson of Ft. Dodge; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Dale LeRoy Webster, Wilbur Otis Pederson and Elwayne Jatho.