Location: 3671
Date: 8/6/2007
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Sgt Nicholas Gummersall, a member of the 2nd Infantry Division of the 23rd Infantry Regiment based in Fort Lewis, Wash., was killed on August. 6, 2007 in Baqubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his patrol. Nicholas is remembered as a fiercely competitive, fearless, confident, tough, witty and loyal friend who believed he could accomplish anything and exuded an aura of invincibility. He was a standout athlete who once broke his arm in a football game and begged the coach, with no success, to let him back on the field.
Nicholas’s commander in Iraq described him as ”larger than life.” The day before he died, the commander said Gummersall had just returned from a particularly dangerous mission. While other soldiers were discussing the hazards, Nick simply ruffled his hair, smiled and said, ”It was just another great day in Iraq.” Another soldier described Gummersall as a mentor who would work extra guard duty so his comrades could sleep in. Gummersall’s motto in combat, according to the soldiers who became like family to him, was, ”Go big or go home.” Gummersall was helping to distribute humanitarian supplies when he was killed.
Gummersall had served two previous tours in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan before his most recent deployment in June 2006. He would likely be alive today had the tour not been extended by an additional three months.