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A Soldier's Tribute

Dec-28-2004 » Filed Under: Tributes

You may remember an entry we posted a while back titled A Soldier's Letter. SSG Holcomb has written another email to his parents that he is allowing us to share with you. CPT William W. Jacobsen Jr., killed in the bombing last week, was his company commander.

*****

Dear Family and Friends,

I grieve...for a family that has lost a father. For myself, I've lost a friend. For an army company that has lost a commander. For a nation that has lost a hero.

I first met Captain Jacobsen about seven months ago. He was inspecting the barracks before signing for the building. He came to my room and noticed that I was a fan of The Lord Of The Rings. He did his inspection quickly and then started talking about the movies and books. We visited for 10-15 minutes, during which I told him that I was disappointed that we were supposed to leave for Iraq before the extended edition of the third movie was available. He told me that he had asked his wife to send it to him as soon as she could and that when he got it we would have a movie marathon.

A few weeks later, he and the first sergeant decided to play 2 on 2 basketball against guys in the company for the right to park in their reserved parking places. My friend Kris and I were the first challengers. It was a good game, with several lead changes, but in the end Captain Jacobsen's 6'5" frame was the difference, and we lost. There was one incident, however, that shed some light on his character. We both went up for a rebound and I got the ball, but in doing so, I hit his nose with my elbow on my way down. He ignored it until I stopped and asked if he was ok. He quickly wiped the blood away with a finger, looked at, wiped it on his shirt and said, "let's play". He didn't get upset, didn't make a big deal about it, he just got back down to business.

A few weeks ago, we started working out together. That first time, we lifted for about an hour. I pushed him so hard that he decided that, as soon as we were done lifting, we were going to run. I hate running. I spent a good portion of the rest of lifting trying to convince him that running after lifting wasn't a good idea. Amazingly(ha ha), he saw through my facade. So we ran. On the way back to our rooms, the water we had drank decided that we didn't need it anymore. It's a special bond you share with someone that you throw up with.

Since we have been in Iraq, Captain Jacobsen has led from the front, without fail. Before every mission he would have a talk with the whole company, telling us exactly what the plan was, asking if there were any questions, encouraging us, and then praying with us. He was a man who embodied the phrase 'For God and Country'.

When word reached me that he had been injured in the chow hall, I thought "It's Captain 'J', he'll be fine". He was one of the few men that I looked up to, he couldn't die. About 30 minutes later, my platoon sergeant called the squad leaders into his room. His eyes were red and brimming with tears. In a choked voice he said, "Captain Jacobsen is dead. He's not coming back". Suddenly, I realized that I was looking at the floor with tears streaming down my face.

In the sorrowful week that followed, we were told that it had been a suicide bomber that attacked the chow hall. We learned that over 20 had died, 2 in our company, and almost 70 were injured, including my roommate who will have a piece of metal, the size and shape of a large marble, in his knee for the rest of his life.

The memorial service was held yesterday. Through blurry eyes, I saw hundreds of grown men cry and hug each other. We are saddened by the loss of the dead and angered by the means of their death. The cowardice of this attack is unrivaled, yet I despair that we will never have our vengeance against those responsible. The best we can do is fight on with the memory of those we lost close to our hearts. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers. Also remember that all who paid the ultimate price are hero's.

Dustin

(Written by SSG Dustin C. Holcomb who is with the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, WA, serving in Mosul.)


Comments For "A Soldier's Tribute":

Dear SSG Dustin C. Holcomb ,
Your letters have been great to read. Unfortunately you guys are having to see what you've been seeing but stay focused and remember that God has you all out there for a reason. Don't forget that God is good and takes his people home when he's ready to have them. Your letters have been a good reminder of what you guys are doing over there for our freedom here in the USA. Thank you for what you guys are doing. I believe you are in the same division as my brother-in-law, Timothy Neal. I pray for you guys daily. May God be with you at all times. We love and thank you for what you're doing. Michelle Neal

Posted by: Michelle Neal | December 28, 2004 2:20 PM

MY SOLDIER IS 1/5 25TH ID (L) SBCT
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU - MY PRAYERS ARE FOR ALL TO STAY THE COURSE, REMAIN STRONG AND BRAVE.
WE ARE THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF YOU - THE BRAVE.

Posted by: KATE7 | December 28, 2004 3:51 PM

SSG Dustin C. Holcomb and family, I again thank you for sharing a part of your heart by sharing your words. You bring all of what you endure daily closer to home, so we truly have a better understanding of what you must endure daily. Our prayers for safety, sound mind and returning home soon will continue. God bless each of you.

Debbie

Posted by: Debbie | December 28, 2004 5:00 PM

Thank you and please stay safe. Keep the Capt. in your prayers as I am sure that is what he would want more than anything. He was a good friend and officer to you and you have those memories to cherish. God bless and thank you for protecting us in the USA.

Posted by: Florence | December 28, 2004 5:53 PM

SSG Holcomb,

As a former member of the company and a friend to most of you. I offer you and the rest of the company my deepest condolences. I was able to make it to the memoral and like many of the people you talked about I was crying for the loss of some of the finest soldiers the army has. My new commander was friends with CPT J and he was hurting as well. Your loss tuched more them just the DUCE FOUR battalion. I pray that you will have the courage to press on.

SFC Z

Posted by: SFC Zamora | December 29, 2004 5:39 AM

Dustin, all commanders hope to gain the respect of their men. It's worth more to them than all the medals on their chests and all the promotions the army can hand out.

Your letter is worth more than any medal of valor that can be bestowed upon your commander. He did his job and from all I'm reading, did it extraordinarily well - with spirit, compassion and a respect for his men. To lose him is a HUGE loss for everyone including those who didn't even know him but whose sons and daughters were entrusted to him.

The angels need commanders too. I have no doubt that he is leading his group with honor.

Take what he taught you and gave you spiritually and wrap it around you for your safety now and your comfort forever.

He has left his family in the charge of his men. Your mission will go on forever as you help his family cope with his loss. Good commanders deserve this loyalty and it will be very comforting to his family to know there are always his men to be there for them.

Posted by: Yvonne | December 30, 2004 6:06 PM

SSG Holcomb and family,

Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. That was a wonderful tribute to an obviously fine, brave man. My DS is with the 1-25. My thoughts and prayers are with ALL of the soldiers and their families, especially those who are enduring such sorrow and pain. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

Posted by: Jan Boudrot | December 31, 2004 10:58 AM

Hi:
My husband is SPC. Daniel Stahle and I bet you know him because he is there with A.CO 1/24th. He is very sad too, when he called on Christmas his voice broke down because he was sad with all this deads. Not only CAPT. Bill and SGT. Robert die but also a good friend SSGT Julian Melo too, I am not sure if I ever met you but I always pray for all of you over there and always think of all the good memories that I have with most of the guys. Please be safe and Thank you for sharing this with us.

Posted by: Fiorella Stahle | January 1, 2005 9:03 PM

As Capt Bills "Granny" I gave him his first bath. Watched him grow and mature. Spent time with the family when his father Lt Col William Jacobsen sr was on tour. This was a tremendous loss. I just found this URL and have recieved much joy from reading your memories. God be with you,All, and extra blessings for Riikka and Bills family.

Thank you.
Willean "Sammy" Reed
Gold Hill, Or

Posted by: Granny | April 29, 2005 5:08 PM

AS I SIT HERE TRYING TO GET MY THOUGHTS TOGETHER AND SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A DEAR PERSON IN THEIR LIVES AND FOR THE INJURED THAT EVERYDAY GO THRU REHABILITATION; I AM REMINDED THAT THESE VERY BRAVE YOUNG PEOPLE GAVE THEIR ALL FOR OUR FREEDOMS AND SAFETY.THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVED THAT GAVE SO FREELY OF HIMSELF AND PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

Posted by: Peggy Blanton | August 11, 2005 5:19 AM

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