Nominee: Sgt. Donald S. Oaks Jr.
by Laurie Oaks of erie

Sgt. Donald Oaks enlisted in the U.S. Army following his High School Graduation from Harborcreek in the year 2000. He was following his desire to serve his Country. He graduated boot camp at Fort Knox Kentucky during the time of the bombing of the U.S.S Cole. His patriotism further fueled that desire as well as the results of 9-11. He quickly rose up in the ranks from private to Sergeant. In January of 2003, he was deployed to Iraq serving with the 3rd Battalion 13th Field Artillary regiment out of Fort Sill Oklahoma. He was a Gunner on a Multiple Launcher. All of this acheived while only at the young age of 20. He was 3 weeks shy of his 21st birthday when the effects of the war had taken his life.

His unit was bombed by friendly forces. The ultimate sacrifice has been paid by this young heroic man in his quest to protect the freedoms and safety of his fellow countrymen while fighting the war on terror. Sergeant Donald S.Oaks Jr. died in Iraq on April 3,2003 during the conflict "Operation Iraqi Freedom".

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