Iraq (OIF/OND/OIR)
-
Fallen

Fargo, ND


County:
Cass

Date of Loss:

Branch of Service:
National Guard

Rank:
Sergeant

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
957th Engineer Company

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:
130th Engineer Brigade

Circumstances:

Died Jan. 24 when his convoy was attacked by an improvised explosive device north of Fallujah, Iraq.

Biography:

"Over here in Iraq, we are doing an important job, trying to secure a better future for the people of Iraq," Smette said in a letter dated Christmas Eve. "I think it's going to be great to be a part of this whole experience," Smette wrote in a letter to his family last year. "I really feel as though we are helping the world, and most importantly, the Iraqi people. I just hope they feel the same way." Smette volunteered to go to Iraq in January 2003 and withdrew from classes at NDSU that February. His sister, Sarah, who now lives in Wisconsin, served in the Army. His younger brother, Robert, also was a member of the 957th in Iraq. North Dakota State University plans to honor Keith Smette with a scholarship in his name. Compiled from Associated Press reports. Retrieved 10/01/2013 from "Honor the Fallen", http://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/