William W. Bushnell dies 'of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by a rocket propelled grenade during combat operations'

JASPER, Ark. - Another soldier from Arkansas has died in Iraq, according to the Defense Department.

Sgt. William W. Bushnell, 24, of Jasper died Saturday in Baghdad from wounds he suffered when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during combat.

Bushnell had been assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas. He was the 13th soldier from the brigade to be killed since it was deployed to Iraq in October.

Bushnell's parents, Wesley and Peggy Bushnell of Mount Sherman, said Bushnell was their only son. He enlisted Oct. 16, 2002, and served in Afghanistan before he was deployed to Iraq.

"Billy served proudly in the airborne infantry," his father said. "That's what he wanted to do when he joined and proud to do it. His shoulder was hurt a while back, and he went to a hospital in Kuwait. All he could think about was getting back in with comrades in Baghdad."

William Bushnell was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. A memorial ceremony to honor him will be held at Fort Bliss on May 16.

From the Pine Bluff Commerical