To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 11/22/16 • Approved: 11/24/16 • Last Updated: 11/27/16 • R1162321-G0-S3
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FOURTH CLASS Army National Guard
Vietnam
Persian Gulf
Iraq
July 8, 1954 - April 24, 2004
Killed in Action
Taji, Iraq
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
*Obituary
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick William Kordsmeier, age 49, of North Little Rock Lost His Life Saturday, April 24, 2004 in Taji, Iraq while serving his country and protecting his troops during a mortar attack. Born July 8, 1954 in Little Rock he was the son of the late Anthony Nicholas Kordsmeier, Sr. and Dolores Ilgner Kordsmeier. He was a member of the American Society of Military Insignia Collectors, Knights of Columbus and The Razorback Club.
Patrick has served his country for over 31 years in the HHC 39th Support Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard. His service awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He was a dedicated soldier, loving father, devoted husband, supportive brother, and trusted friend.
He was a true American Hero. In a letter to his family, Patrick wrote "In some small way, I hope to help free the Iraqi people."
The moment is there in her mind, and as a soldier's daughter she vows that she'll never forget it. Jennifer Kordsmeier-Legate says she soaked up every minute with her father before he deployed to Iraq with the 39th Infantry Brigade in March 2004. It was a mission the 49-year-old fulltime Arkansas National Guard member had prepared for all his life, serving 32 years and working his way up to be the brigade property officer in charge of tracking all equipment. He could have retired, but he was really fired up to go serve his country. He was waiting to serve his country in his war his whole career. But while Patrick Kordsmeier was preparing himself for the worst, he wanted to shield his three children and wife from the same. He explained that his job was administrative and that they shouldn't worry about him.
Army
National Guard,
39th Support Battalion,
39th Brigade Combat Team,
1st Cavalry Division,
Hazen, Arkansas.
Parents:
Anthony N Kordsmeier (1923 - 1997)
Dolores Jane Kordsmeier (1929 - 1998)
Section I
Contributed on 11/22/16 by hawkinsdonna
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1162321