I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Joint Guardian. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Sgt. 1st Class Dustin B. Ard, 31, from Hyde Park, Utah, died Aug. 29, 2019, as a result of wounds sustained while engaged in combat operations in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation. Ard was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. ~ DoD News Release
Sgt. 1st Class Dustin B. Ard
Dustin Ard was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After graduating from High School and serving on a Mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ard took advantage of the U.S. Army’s 18X Special Forces candidate program and enlisted at Hyde Park, Utah in 2011. Sgt. Ard was assigned to Fort Bragg where he attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2015.
Sgt 1st Class Ard’s father, Bruce Ard, mayor of Ammon, Idaho, said his son remained focused on his family even when serving thousands of miles away:
“He was still just Dustin. He was a loving, kind, gentle soul, and he knew what he had to do.” ~ News Source
Sgt 1st Class Ard had two previous deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support and he participated in multiple Joint Combined Exchange Training exercises in Indonesia. He was serving as a Special Forces Communications Agent during this current deployment to Afghanistan.
"Dustin was a warrior — an accomplished, respected and loved Special Forces Soldier that could strike up a friendship with anyone, anywhere. Our deepest condolences go to SFC Ard's family. We collectively mourn the loss of our Soldier and honor his service to the Nation. Sgt. 1st Class Ard’s loss is felt across our 1st Special Forces Group Family. Our priority now is to take care of his family and our Soldiers and provide the best possible care that we can during this incredible time of need.” ~ Col. Owen G. Ray, 1st Special Forces Group Commander ~ News Source
Sgt Ard’s military education includes the Basic, Advanced, and Senior Leader Courses; U.S. Army Airborne School; Military Free Fall Course; Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course; Special Operations Sensitive Site Exploitation Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School; Korean Special Operations Language Course; and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Ard's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart (both posthumously); Bronze Star Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (second award); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (third award); Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Army Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Parachutist Badge and Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge. ~ News Source
“We received news that we lost our son Dustin. My heart has a hole so big I can hardly stand it. He was the finest young man I have ever known. Not because he was my son but because of the person he is. A great son, brother, father and husband. He loved his country and was the kind of person we should all be. Son, I love you and know we will see each other again. I will miss you every day I live without you. Love Dad.”
In addition to his parents, Sgt. 1st Class Dustin B. Ard leaves behind a three year old daughter and a wife who is pregnant with their son.
I Got the News Today" is a series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifices made by our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and allows our community to show respect for the fallen and express condolences to those who mourn them. These posts usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.