SSG Curtis A. Mitchell, 28, U.S. Army, born in Ohio January 11, 1977, was killed in action on December 12, 2005. Mitchell served as an M1 Armor Crewman with 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and deployed to the Middle East twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thirty-six hours before his second tour of duty was over, he passed away on a routine patrol when an IED detonated near the M1 Abrams Tank he was commanding. For his service, Mitchell earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Rest easy, Hero! Til Valhalla, Brother!