RELEASED BY: LT. COL. GREG HAPGOOD
     PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
     OFFICE: (515) 252-4582
     CELL: (515) 971-6385
     HOME: (515) 986-5725

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

IOWAN SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY KILLED IN IRAQ

The Department of Defense regrets to announce the death of Spc. David Behrle (BURR lee), 20, a Tipton native serving on active duty in the U.S. Army. Behrle was killed during combat operations when insurgent forces detonated an improvised explosive device directly adjacent to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was operating. The attack occurred during a combat patrol near Baghdad, Iraq at approximately 5 p.m., Iraq time, on May 19. He was assigned to Co. A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
 

Behrle was born March 6, 1987 in Iowa City and graduated from Tipton High School in 2005. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 2005, completed basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas. He mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom in October 2006.
 

Behrle is survived by his parents, Dixie and Dennis Pelzer and Johnnie Behrle, all of Tipton; sisters Jill (Tim) Chambliss of Tipton and Kellie Behrle (Curt Jeffries) of West Branch; brother Jonathan (Amy) Behrle of Homestead; stepbrothers Anthony and Andrew Pelzer of Iowa City; and stepsister Adelena Pelzer of Chicago. David is also survived by niece Jaidyn Behrle and nephews Jonathan and Jacxon Behrle, all of Homestead, and Colin Chambliss of Tipton; grandparents Kenneth and Twyla Jedlicka, Martha Behrle, and Richard and Theresa Pelzer, all of Tipton; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
 

The family of Spc. David Behrle issued the following statement:
 

“Being in the Army was a dream of David’s that he knew he had to pursue. He enlisted before graduation knowing full well he would be doing a tour in Iraq. David was never one to back down from something that he believed in, even though he knew he might be giving the ultimate sacrifice. He was proud to take a stand and serve his country alongside his fellow comrades. He is “The Man”, and our hero.”
 

The family of David Behrle asks that their privacy be respected at this time. Media may contact the Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Office for additional information.
 

Funeral arrangements are pending at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton and details will be provided as they become available.
 

For questions concerning this release as well as additional information about the operations, training, and activities of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, please contact Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer by email at gregory.hapgood@ia.ngb.army.mil or (515) 252-4582 (office), (515) 971-6385 (cell), or (515) 986-5725 (home). You may also contact Master Sgt. Duff E. McFadden, at (515) 252-4666 (office), (515) 480-7647 (cell), (515) 251-7335 (home), or by e-mail at duff.mcfadden@ia.ngb.army.mil.

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IOWA NATIONAL GUARD
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