Stryker Brigade News

To the family of CPT Jacobsen,
Words have so little meaning at a time like this. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our son is in the 1/24 in Mosul.
Alta Austin

Captain Jacobsen was my son's Company Commander. My family was there when he and my son were deployed. We could tell what a caring and loving family man he was. We appreciate his work and my son spoke very fondly of him when they were at Fort Lewis together as well as in Iraq. He is a hero in our minds. God bless his family, we are thinking of you this Christmas.

Our prayers and sympathy are with you and your family.

My husband is currently with 1/25 in Mosul. Please know that we both have you in our prayers and know that you will find peace in this very sorrowful time.

We pray that our Lord Jesus wrap His arms around you and yours, and give your His peace.

That man was absolutely incredible - I got my son into trouble (as I frequently do) by asking questions. Cpt Jacobsen spent about half an hour talking to me on the phone trying to allay my fears about my son going to Iraq. He then spent time the next day sending me an email - one of these days I will show you when and if it is appropriate. He then offered me his cell phone number to contact him and so on and only last week asked after I was.... in the midst of all he was dealing with. I do not know why him - but I guess I have to trust God - but you know it is hard for me - and I did not even know him - so what his fanily must be going through - I really - well words fail me - they are meaningless - all I can so is pray for them...

My thoughts and prayers are with CPT Jacobsen family.

I had the privilege to meet and have a number of conversations with this man. I am proud to have met such a great, kind man. My husband went with him to Iraq. He always had a kind word to say to people. I appreciated the fact that he took the time to figure out what anyone needed around him. I am very saddened to see such a loss at this one. My deepest, sincere thoughts are with his entire family right now and forever. He touched my life. He made a difference. I am sure many feel the same way. Thanks for all that he did.

Our prayers are with CPT Jacobsen's family. Our son, SGT Ferdman is in Mosul with the 1/24th. We all feel your sorrow and your loss.

I so clearly remember the day when the troops departed for Iraq. Our family and extended family were there to see off my step-son.
As a former Infantry officer I was interested in the officers leading our men today. I remember standing near CPT Jacobsen as he was saying his good-byes to his wife and children. His military presence was obvious to me. I saw a great leader of men. In his gentle demeanor I saw a great man.
In our communications with our son he often spoke of the outstanding leadership of Cpt Jacobsen.
My heart is broken over the loss of this man. I know at this moment God is holding him tightly in his arms.
I have no words that could begin to assuage the pain his family feels. I can only say he will be in my heart, my mind and my prayers forever.

My nephew, Sean Beveridge, is in the 1/24. Our family's thoughts and prayers are with CPT Jacobsen's wife, children, family and friends. We are praying for Sean's release from Ramstein Hospital soon -- he is critically injured. Peace be with you all. Karen

One of the best officers that I have know. A leader of men, who truly led by example "out front". You will be missed. I know that you are at the gates of heaven waiting for your number to enter.

Cpt. Jacobsen was a great guy.
My husband was serving under him in Iraq. He thought the Cpt. was just a great guy. I know my husband will truly miss him as will all the other soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Proud Stryker Mom,
Ellen

My son served under Capt. Jacobsen. His goodbye to his family at Ft. Lewis last October was seered into the minds of many of us. Watching this soldierly man so tenderly say goodbye to his four children and wife was an enduring reminder that war is about people.

I sent the following e-mail to acquaintances and friends. The responses indicate that American's from all over honor the sacrifices of soldier's and their families and in particular the family of Capt. Jacobsen.

In October of this year, I sent my son John off to war. As a member of the Stryker Brigade, he was going to northern Iraq to relieve the first Strykers sent last year. Family members gathered at Ft. Lewis outside the barracks. Weapons and gear were lined up on the ground in preparation for departure. The sunny afternoon was full of hugs and tearful goodbyes from parents, wives, girlfriends, children, family and friends.

As these brave soldiers were readying to board their bus, headed to McChord AFB for their flight to the Middle East, I looked around at the troops, thinking that some of the boys may not come home alive. It was a sobering thought. I looked to their Company Commander, wanting to tell him to take care of John and all these brave men, but he was busy hugging and saying goodbye to his wife and four young children. It was not a time for interruption. Soon he led his men to the busses. It was too late too say anything to the Captain, but I saw for myself that he was someone who valued family and I knew would value the lives of every one of his soldiers. As they boarded the busses, young children called for their fathers. Wives and girlfriends were weeping. It was an experience like no other.

I am sad to say my fears have come true, but not as I expected. On Dec. 21 at Camp Marez, Mosul, Iraq, Capt. William Jacobsen, Jr. A Co. 1-24th INF, father of four young children and beloved by his men, was killed by a suicide bomber while having lunch with his men.

War is not an abstract notion. God bless Capt. Jacobsen, his family, and his men.

I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the family of Cpt Jacobsen and to his soldiers in Mosul. May this Hero rest in peace and may Perpetual Light shine upon him.

I send my condolences to Cpt. Jacobsen's family. No words can describe what your going through. I pray for you all. He was a great leader and I wouldn't ask for a better leader. I am sure that he is in a good place. He will be in our hearts forever.

This man has and will always be a apart of my husbands and my life. Over these past few months I've gotten the chance to really meet the family, and My prayers and thoughts will always be with you. Always Dawn

Last October we flew from Germany to spend a week with our son Jared, before he departed to Iraq. During our stay we had the honor and privilege to meet his Company Commander. We were very impressed by Capt. Jacobsen. Not only was he an officer, but a gentleman and a great leader. Before we went our way he said "Don't worry, I'll make sure he (Jared) will come back safe and sound." We truely feel that he will continue to watch over our son and the rest of the brave soldiers from 1-24 Stryker Brigade. Only now it will be from above.
To his wife and loved ones...We weep for your loss. He will be missed by many. Capt. William Jacobsen was one of a kind.
Our prayers are with you

To the Jacobsen Family
I do not have any words to express how sad I feel with your lost, my husband had the honor to met him and to work with him, Bill always have a big smile and whenever we had an FRG meeting he always said not to worry because he will do whatever it takes to bring all his men back. He was a wonderfull person, I have the best memories of him.

I have cried and prayed for the entire Jacobsen family since I have heard of the news of Bill's death. I have read the other comments and the prevailing theme is that CPT Bill Jacobsen was a true gentleman and a leader. I met Bill 13 years ago at Western Kentucky University in the ROTC program, and then ran into him again at Ft. Knox, KY in 2002. During our brief encounter at Ft. Knox, I could easily see that Bill was a very devoted soldier who served with the utmost honor, but more importantly, he was an equally devoted family man...he loved his wife and children endlessly.

My heart breaks for the wife, children, parents and siblings of CPT Bill Jacobsen. May God be with you and bring you peace!

Many condolences,

Leigh Lindsey of Bowling Green, KY.

CPT Bill Jacobsen was the most complete man I have had the honor and privilege to have enter and touch my life. He was a man that defined love of God, family, and country. He was a man whose values and convictions were the bedrock of his being. He was a fierce warrior that always led from the front, where a leader belongs – in the thick of the fight where he can give direction and confidence to those around him. He was a man whose compassion for those less fortunate was unparalleled. Every life Bill touched is better because of him. He was a man that the entire world should cry from its very soul because he is no longer with us. Bill leaves behind the legacy of a highly trained, disciplined, lethal Stryker rifle company that takes the fight to the doorsteps of the enemy every day and he leaves us with an example of what we should all aspire to one day become.

Our son, SSG Holcomb, was serving with CPT Jacobsen and counted him as a good friend. In his words, "we were close." Our son would like us to send the family his heartfelt condolences. Can someone email us privately with the information? Any help would be appreciated. CPT Jacobsen, SSG Holcomb says, "The 'Beast' will carry on!"

To the family and friends of CPT Jacobson, I lost my best friend in the same incident know that my prayers and thoughts are with you.

We wish to express our condolences to the CPT's wife and family. Our feeble attempt to comfort you in this time of extreme loss is sincere and heartfelt. We hope that your faith will guide you during this sadness. We will include you always in our prayers.

Dear Mrs. Jacobsen,

As someone whom both knew and worked with your husband I felt obligated to write you today. My name is Jerry Krein and I am a retired deputy sheriff of 23 years, I have been working in Iraq since August 2004. I was assigned to your husband’s unit, and our job at times was to go out and inspect police stations.

Since I have been in country I have met two people that truly impressed me, your husband was one, the other happened to be a BYU graduate also (I had to take the time to introduce them to each other). Your husband's dedication to duty, bravery, leadership and willingness to lead from the front was an absolute honor to witness. Each and every time I saw your husband, he would stop what he was doing and extend his hand in friendship and with warmth and caring interest inquire as to my well-being.

Your husband and his men kept me safe and out of harm's way each and every time I went out with them. I can honestly say I owe my life to your husband. The last time I talked to your husband I was preparing to come home for a short vacation before heading back to Iraq and his last words to me, in his typical fashion were for me to take care of myself and be safe on my journey home, again placing my well-being above his own.

I can only imagine the grief in which you are experiencing and although these are only words, please take comfort in knowing what a truly courageous and honorable man your husband set as an example for the rest of us to aspire to be.

I pray that these words bring you some relief from the pain that you must be experiencing and please know that you and your family will always be in our prayers, again, my most sincere and profound condolences.

Jerry Krein
Dec 22nd 2004

Capt. Jacobsen will never leave his family or his men unattended. All will feel his presence continually. A man this compassionate, loving, strong and skilled will endure in the hearts of all who knew him and guide them with his wisdom.

The angels always sing loudest at this time of year. Listen closely.

Our family will always have a special recollection of Bill as a tall, straight-forward, kind and joyful person that was fun to be around. We are deeply grieved at the loss of Brother Jacobsen and want to express our love and thoughts to his family.

In particular, we remember a talk in Sacrament meeting concerning the “kill zones” that Satan sets up for us in this life and the analogy Bill drew from his own training and experiences in the Army. This is the one talk that we can say our son, Billy, actually had his head raised alert and watched the speaker, at the pulpit with interest, and remembers to this day, graphically what Brother Jacobsen talked about. The style was especially suited for a young man to grasp the ideals Bill was trying to convey.

Another recollection for our son is a birthday in June two years ago when he was allowed to go to Ft. Lewis for Paint Ball with Bill Jacobsen and Jim Young and some of the youth of the ward and they had a blast! Bill’s talents and skills were witnessed by all along with his good humor and sportsmanship. No parent could have been more happier that we were to have such a great example there for our son.

As a retired Navy veteran, I wish I could have had Leadership as righteous as Captain William Jacobsen demonstrated to his men.

We will never forget the testimony Bill shared in Sacrament meeting before deployment to Iraq. Such a sweet spirit and knowledge that God Lives and Jesus knows us and loves us. Bill pleaded with the congregation to pray for his family. He asked nothing for himself but only thought of his family. My sister was visiting from out of town and was so touched by his testimony that she singled him out after church and let him know she would pray for his family.

Last Christmas, Riikka, Bill’s wife, painted four patriotic gifts out of wood for me to give to my sisters and mom. I have asked my sisters to write a memorial on the back of them and the date that Bill was taken from this earth. They each agreed to do this.

Bill’s life had meaning. We are deeply sadden his family couldn’t have him here longer. Bill will not be forgotten. We know he did everything he needed to do during his short time here on earth to ensure eternal life for himself with his family.

There is not a better example of the American Fighting Man, Ambassador of the United States, Church Member or Father than Brother “Captain” William Jacobsen.

With love and eternal respect for Bill’s sacrifices…

The Mulks Family

I first met Captain William W. Jacobsen, Jr., when his father, Lieutenant Colonel William W. Jacobsen, Sr., and I were assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Young "Bill Jr" was about 13 years old. His father, "Bill Sr" and I worked together in the Scouting program. Bill Jr. had already met most of the requirements for the Eagle Scout award. His wonderful mother, Vicki Jacobsen, asked me to encourage Bill Jr. to move forward in his progress toward becoming an Eagle Scout. It was an easy task. Bill Jr. loved a challenge. He sought out every opportunity to improve himself, physically, mentally, socially, and spritually. I grew to love this young man. My son, Josh, was a year younger. Josh looked up to Bill Jr. and sought to follow in his footsteps. They later roomed together at Brigham Young University. Josh became an Eagle Scout, just like Bill Jr. He joined the ROTC program and went off to Airborne School, just like Bill Jr. He served a 2 year voluntary LDS mission just like Bill Jr. He graduated from BYU, just like his hero, Bill Jr. How thankful I have been, as a father, for the outstanding and excellent example that Bill Jr. consistently set. It is no suprise that he became an accomplished and beloved leader of men. He is one of the finest young men this country has ever produced. I mourn the loss of this great American, military leader, husband, father, brother, son, grandson, and friend. I love the Jacobsen family. I know I share only a portion of their great sorrow and loss. I know that they take comfort in the knowledge that they will see Bill Jr. again in our Father's Kingdom. What a great motivation to emulate the righteous life and example of Bill Jr., who laid down his life for his friends. Greater love hath no man than this. Bill Jr. is with our Savior and Redeemer. I pray that we will live worthy to join him some day.

Riikka and Family,
I dont know if you will ever read this. Last night (Jan 13th) we heard about Bill. Riikka, our hearts our heavy for you and your beautiful children. I will always treasure when our paths crossed in 2002. You helped me get through that tough time when Carlton was in Korea. I, along with the members of the Brandenburg Ward will always remember Bill and his kind way of making everyone feel at ease. I will always remember your cute boys in their little matching white shirts and how beautiful you were when you were pregnant with Avalon...(picture perfect)
I lost your card and address you sent me when you got to Lewis but had found a little note you had written me in August of 02. You told me in that note how much you appreciated me and that you considered me to be a "friend." I dont think you ever knew how much those words meant to me at that time in my life. I have often thought back to you and your family. Riikka, Bill loved you and those kids so much. That was so evident. He used to sit in the back row sometimes in sacrament meeting, when the boys were sick and you were home with them. He had such a kind demeanor and you knew how much he loved the church. Riikka, you know that this is not the end.I know you know what I mean. I will carry you and Billy, Sedrick,Yona, and Avalon in my heart. I pray for you to get through this and that you will be given peace and comfort.
We will never forget him...
With Much Love,
Melissa Hylander and SFC. Carlton L. Hylander
and Family of Fort Knox, Kentucky

My Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your kind words, your support, love and prayers at this time. I miss Bill so much. I will love him forever and ever. I am so proud of him and all that he was able to accomplish here on the earth. I know that I will see him again and that we will be together forever. What a comfort that is to me!

We continue to pray for all of Bill's soldiers and everyone that is still deployed. May the Lord bless you all always.

We are in Charlotte, NC right now and moving into our new home in two weeks. If you are ever around here, please, come and visit.
Thank you again. My love to you all always.

Our prayers are with the Jacobsen family. We thank you for your sacrifice and Williams' service to our country and our way of life. God bless