Army
National Guard
2nd Battalion
162nd Infantry
Corvallis, Ore∼Kim Strahan's 18-year search for her son ended when she saw his face on the television screen. While watching the morning news, Strahan learned that Ken Leisten Jr. died July 28 when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Taji, Iraq. There was no doubt that the Oregon National Guardsman was her 20-year-old son. "At first, I was like, 'No,'" said Strahan, whose son moved away with his father at age 2. "My second thought was, 'Now I know where he is.'" A few hundred people gathered in Portland to remember Leisten, of Cornelius, Ore., as a tough, quiet and kind man who was easily embarrassed by his father's hugs and kisses. He was stationed in Corvallis, Ore. Leisten planned to attend college after his return and become a software mogul. Sgt. 1st Class Phillip V. Jacques, who was also wounded in the attack, recalled Leisten sharing his water with Iraqi children in the 125-degree heat. "His face is embedded in those children's minds," said Jacques. "That's how all these guys are. They ask for so little and they give so much." Leisten is also survived by his father, Ken Leisten Sr., and stepmother, Lisa LaBlanc.
Leisten quit school but earned a General Educational Development certificate at 17. Instead of going to college, he enlisted, hoping his military paycheck and the chance of a scholarship would pay for his education. He dreamed of a career in computers and of becoming Oregon's version of Bill Gates.
He was assigned to the Oregon Guard's 1st Battalion, 162nd Infantry, based in Forest Grove, but voluntarily switched units to ensure a tour in Iraq. He went overseas with the Corvallis-based 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry and had been part of a unit supplementing the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas Guard.
Army
National Guard
2nd Battalion
162nd Infantry
Corvallis, Ore∼Kim Strahan's 18-year search for her son ended when she saw his face on the television screen. While watching the morning news, Strahan learned that Ken Leisten Jr. died July 28 when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Taji, Iraq. There was no doubt that the Oregon National Guardsman was her 20-year-old son. "At first, I was like, 'No,'" said Strahan, whose son moved away with his father at age 2. "My second thought was, 'Now I know where he is.'" A few hundred people gathered in Portland to remember Leisten, of Cornelius, Ore., as a tough, quiet and kind man who was easily embarrassed by his father's hugs and kisses. He was stationed in Corvallis, Ore. Leisten planned to attend college after his return and become a software mogul. Sgt. 1st Class Phillip V. Jacques, who was also wounded in the attack, recalled Leisten sharing his water with Iraqi children in the 125-degree heat. "His face is embedded in those children's minds," said Jacques. "That's how all these guys are. They ask for so little and they give so much." Leisten is also survived by his father, Ken Leisten Sr., and stepmother, Lisa LaBlanc.
Leisten quit school but earned a General Educational Development certificate at 17. Instead of going to college, he enlisted, hoping his military paycheck and the chance of a scholarship would pay for his education. He dreamed of a career in computers and of becoming Oregon's version of Bill Gates.
He was assigned to the Oregon Guard's 1st Battalion, 162nd Infantry, based in Forest Grove, but voluntarily switched units to ensure a tour in Iraq. He went overseas with the Corvallis-based 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry and had been part of a unit supplementing the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas Guard.
Inscription
SPC - US AMY - BCO 2-162 - KILLED IN ACTION - TAJI, IRAQ - BRONZE STAR MEDAL - PURPLE HEART - ARCOM WITH VALUE
MY SON OUR HERO LOVE DAD
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