Gordonville soldier killed in explosion

Department of Defense press release:

Missouri Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley J. Skelton, 40, of Gordonville, was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) on Feb. 6 in Iraq. Skelton, who came out of retirement to serve on this deployment, was a member of the 1138th Engineer Company (Sapper), headquartered in Farmington. He has been posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.

"I am saddened beyond words about the loss of Sgt. Skelton, I knew him personally and was very proud of his decision to rejoin the Missouri National Guard for this deployment," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. "I ask everyone to pray for the 1138th Engineer Company as they struggle with their second Soldier death in less than one week."

In an interview before his deployment, Skelton said, "I decided to come out of retirement because I have a lot of close friends going back for a second time and want to serve with them again," Skelton said in July 2007. "I hope that my previous experiences can help protect the new Soldiers as well."

Skelton originally enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard in 1984, during his senior year in high school. He deployed with the 1140th Engineer Battalion to Iraq in 2004-2005. He came out of retirement to mobilize with the unit in July 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 1138th Engineer Company (Sapper) has been conducting route clearance Operations while in Iraq. The unit attempts to locate and defeat improvised explosive devices (IED) and maintain traffic flow along military supply routes.

His military awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, third award; National Defense Service Medal, second award; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with mobilization device, second award; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Missouri Commendation Medal, second award; Missouri Basic Training Ribbon; Missouri 15 Years Long Service Ribbon; and Utah National Guard 2002 Olympic Winter Games Ribbon.

The 1138th Engineer Company lost Sgt. Matthew F. Straughter when his vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade launcher on Jan. 31.

Skelton is the eighth Missouri National Guard Soldier to have lost his or her life during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

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Earlier story:

Sgt. Bradley Skelton of Gordonville was killed in Iraq Wednesday, a spokesman for the Missouri National Guard in Farmington said.

Skelton was serving with the Missouri National Guard's 1138th Engineer Battalion in Baghdad.

The 1138th is involved in route clearance in Baghdad.

The cause of Skelton's death was not yet available.

Skelton was one of 100 members of the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last July. The 1138th is based in Farmington.

Skelton has served over 20 years in the National Guard. The tour was his second in Iraq. His first tour was from February 2004 to March 2005. He volunteered to return, his uncle Charles Skelton said. "He told me he wanted to give someone else a break who was married and had a family."

The sergeant grew up in Gordonville and graduated from Jackson High School. His parents, Harold and Dorothy Skelton, are deceased. His sister, Carmen Robinson, and her family live near Sikeston. Charles Skelton also lives in Gordonville.

He said his nephew was planning a trip to Australia on his next leave and he thought he was getting ready to be discharged in April. He said he liked hunting and fishing. He had worked for a water softener company and at a warehouse before going back to Iraq.

Funeral arrangements are just beginning.

"I'm kind of at a loss right now," Charles said. "He has been very loyal to the community and especially his service."

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Other local soldiers killed in Iraq:

Sgt. Robert G. Davis

1st Lt. Dan Riordan

Pfc. Jeremy Shank