Jonathan P. C. Kingman laid to rest

ASHLAND — Friends, family and law enforcement paid their final respects this morning to an area man who died Jan. 20 in Iraq.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan P. C. Kingman, 21, of Nankin, was serving a second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed near Baji of wounds suffered when an improvised bomb detonated near his vehicle.

He was remembered in a private ceremony at an Ashland church attended by his wife and children, relatives, friends and law enforcement including Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner, a retired Army veteran, and seven deputies.

A color guard from Patriot Guard Riders, formed a year or so ago after anti-war protesters began disrupting military funerals with chanting, silently held flags on the steps of First Christian Church on Cottage Street as guests entered and left the church.

After the service, Kingman’s casket was borne by a color guard to the hearse, as about 50 students from St. Edward’s School and Ashland Middle School stood along the road in respectful silence. A procession to Mansfield Cemetery was led by three sheriff’s cruisers and an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser.

A combat engineer, Kingman was assigned to the 41st Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Fort Riley public affairs officials said Kingman was serving as a tank commander when he was killed. He was the only soldier who died in the bomb attack.

Kingman attended grade school in Mansfield. He graduated from Mapleton High School and had lived in Shelby. He has a wife and children in Ashland County, and family members in Mansfield and Shelby.

Kingman entered the Army in August 2003, a few months after graduation, arriving at Fort Riley in January 2004.

From the Telegraph Forum

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