NEVER FORGET Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby of Rock Island, IL US Army Memorial

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Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby

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Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby

Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby

23, of Rock Island, Ill.; assigned to the 1644th Transportation Company, Army National Guard, Rock Falls, Ill.; killed Feb. 9 when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy in Route Golden, Iraq.

Female soldier from Illinois killed in Iraq

Associated Press

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Sgt. Jessica M. Housby was always willing to help people, and greeted strangers and friends with a smile, relatives said.

“Someone who has never met her or talked to her would say, ‘Wow this was a good person.’ If there were hard times, she did her best to help,” Housby’s mother, Deborah Bundy, said.

The 23-year-old Illinois National soldier from Rock Island died in Iraq after a roadside bomb detonated near the truck she was driving, military officials said Thursday.

Housby’s truck was part of a convoy hauling cargo to a base at the Baghdad airport on Wednesday when the explosion occurred and she was killed, said Maj. Tim Franklin, a public affairs officer for the Army National Guard.

Housby, a 2000 graduate of Rock Island High School, was a member of the 1644th Transportation Co., based in Rock Falls. Franklin said Housby was serving her first tour in Iraq.

Bundy said Housby enlisted in the National Guard in 1999, while still attending high school.

Her desire to join the military started in high school, where she joined the ROTC, said her mother, who lives just outside of Rock Island in Milan.

Lt. Archie Rose of the Illinois National Guard said Housby received an award in 1999 after taking part in a training exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis.

She was chosen as the top cadet out of a group of 187 because of her “hard work, enthusiasm and the responsibility,” he said.

Though Housby told her mother she was scared of being deployed in Iraq, Bundy said her daughter knew she was there to serve and protect her country.

The 1644th was mobilized for its second deployment in Iraq in August. It is a medium truck company with about 170 members.

Died:
February 09, 2005

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	Prayers & Condolences For: Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby BY Anonymous on May 01, 2011
	I still think of you on days like these

	Prayers & Condolences For: Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby BY Anonymous on Jun 28, 2005
	MISS YOU JESS! GOD BLESS YOU! KANDI

	Prayers & Condolences For: Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby BY dpelletd on Jun 24, 2005
	You will always be in our prayers. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

	Prayers & Condolences For: Army Sgt. Jessica M. Housby BY acidburnny on Jun 23, 2005
	God Bless you and your family, your service to our country shall not be in vein.

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Wall Of Prayers

Blue C. Rowe

I am the Chaplain, along with 1SG Obalabi, who made this notification. This was my fifth death notification in 2009. I remembered this one like it was yesterday, and I routinely think about 1SG Rowe’s wife and their son, who was seven at the time. This notification stands out to me because we had to come back to the house a few times because no one was home. We finally saw a light on around 2130, and I and 1SG O went to the door and knocked. 1SG Rowe’s wife answered the door, and it was clear that his wife was not registering why we were there. She did invite us, and we sat down at the table, and ISG O made the notification. 1SG Rowe’s wife said, "Are you sure?" She asked that question five times, and I finally said, " Ma’am, we would not be here if we were not sure. Her response to us was, I just spoke to him a couple of days ago, and he was supposed to come home next week. She immediately got up from the table, called her dad, and notified him. She collapsed to the floor and was crying. The 1SG and I just stood there. We were there for a while, and I remembered that when she asked me to pray, I had to pause a few times to keep from losing it. Cindy, I thought about your husband through the years, and I often wondered how you and your son are doing. I have often prayed for you and your family. And I thank your husband for his sacrifice to our country. I do hope you see this, and I will continue to pray for you and your family. God Bless You Chaplain Will Strong Jr. US Army Retired Romans 8:37

Jose L. Montenegro Jr

I would like the family to know that Jose is honored at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Irvine, CA. I picked his name to place a rose by his name at Panel 20, Line12. Thank you to him for his dedication and service. God's blessings to you.

Luke J Mercardante

I was flying convoy escort overhead that fateful night. Each April I pause and remember both 1sgt Mercardante and Cpl Wilks. May we never forget

James C Matteson

He was not in a Bradley but the turret of humv while fighting gallantly from his position a armor piercing RPG hit SSgt. James. C. Matteson'447211s MARK19 burning off the grenades going straight through his heart during an ambush.

Rickey E. Jones

I meant Rickey Jones in Iraq, October 2005. My deepest condolences to his family: Sincerely SSG. Kassebaum

Derek Argel

I think I still owe you beer. Catch up later bro

Eric S. Patton

Thank you for your service!

Douglas C Desjardins

Our family mission; US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Inc., has sent care packages in his name to troops deployed during the 2025 holiday season. Always Remember!

Patrick J Miller

Miss You Love You

Todd Beamer

Let's roll, RIP Brother!

Russell P Borea

I love you so much. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Michael J Crutchfield

Miss you Cruthfield. Wish I wouldm have had the chance to play chess with you.

Jason C. Ramseyer

When one thinks of the Marines they think of men like SSGT Ram. A Marines, Marine. A leader, not only in title, but also within the respect of his men above and below him…

Jonathan Castro

No greater love hath a man than to give his life for his friends.

Charles Dusty Parrish

Man what a day that was, as someone who was with a different company but same battalion we were just getting ready to role out on our mission when I heard. Man you were a good guy Parrish, gave good workout advice as well as good supplements. Generally just a positive attitude. Think about you alot brother, I pray you are resting easy. God bless

Bruno G. De Solenni

sgt rawl retired

Bruno G. De Solenni

how can i ever forget he help me work on mrap. iam the one they blame

Philip A. Murphy-Sweet

Phil worked for me when he volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the Joint Contracting Command. He was a great officer, a great friend and an incredible husband/father. He was just a couple of days away from returning from his deployment. I received an email from him on 5 April requesting to stay a bit longer so he could finish the job started. I had not yet responded to his email when I was notified by our Commanding Office on Easter morning that Phil had been killed. Miss you Phil!

David A Wilkey Jr

A good young man. My son's best friend.

Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

It's been 20 years since your passing... However, I never forgotten the day you told me I am married, I am going to have a baby, and day your son was born... You touched some many lives in different ways in your brief time on this earth in ways others can't imagine... Some people can be given a life time on this earth and accomplish nothing, and there are some people who are given a short time and accomplish so much... You Mr. Flores-Mejia aka Ricky was that person and soldier who accomplish so much in your shoft tme... As I see the days pass by, and the war seems to be a distant memory, your memory is still alive in my life, and still on this and like other days with my grandchildren I sit back like we did many times and listen to those West Coast oldies... "Never Forgotten"

Frank E. Adamski III

To the family of Frank Adamski, including his wife and daughter, my sincere condolences. I plan to make sure he is never forgotten.

Benjamin Walker

🕯️

Trevor B. Adkins

If I could go back in time I would begg you not to go I miss you so much the girls do to they talk about you all the time lots of love your sister

Wall Of Prayers

For Blue C. Rowe For Jose L. Montenegro Jr For Luke J Mercardante For James C Matteson For Rickey E. Jones For Derek Argel For Eric S. Patton For Douglas C Desjardins For Patrick J Miller For Todd Beamer For Russell P Borea For Michael J Crutchfield For Jason C. Ramseyer For Jonathan Castro For Charles Dusty Parrish For Bruno G. De Solenni For Bruno G. De Solenni For Philip A. Murphy-Sweet For David A Wilkey Jr For Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia