Private First Class Haunert, from Blue Ash, Ohio. A 2005 graduate of Sycamore High School where he was a top baseball player, playing both third base and pitching. The love of baseball runs in his family and he was always asking for updates on how their favorite teams were doing while he was away from home. Branden attended the University of Cincinnati for two years, but then decided that wasn't for him, so he enlisted in the Army on September 12, 2007. He spent 16 weeks at Fort Benning, Georgia, under going basic training. There he earned tops in his class and the top physical training achiever in his unit. In February 2008 he was assigned to the the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was deployed to Iraq five weeks ago, and was killed by a roadside bomb in Salah ad-Din Province. Branden was doing what he wished with his life, and loved being a soldier. Last week, he earned the top physical training achiever for his unit in Iraq and his Sergeant bought him a knife because of that achievement. Branden's military awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Weapons Qualification, M4, expert and posthumous awards of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Military life agreed with Branden and he was recently recommended for Army Ranger School. He is survived by his parents, William (Bill) and Tammy Haunert; five brothers: Joe, Nicholas, Christopher, Andrew and Sean; aunts and uncles: Jeff, Robbie and Chris Fultz, and Donald, Timothy, Susan, Steve and Robby Haunert; and by many friends. Branden was preceded in death by his grandfather Donald J. Haunert.
Private First Class Haunert, from Blue Ash, Ohio. A 2005 graduate of Sycamore High School where he was a top baseball player, playing both third base and pitching. The love of baseball runs in his family and he was always asking for updates on how their favorite teams were doing while he was away from home. Branden attended the University of Cincinnati for two years, but then decided that wasn't for him, so he enlisted in the Army on September 12, 2007. He spent 16 weeks at Fort Benning, Georgia, under going basic training. There he earned tops in his class and the top physical training achiever in his unit. In February 2008 he was assigned to the the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was deployed to Iraq five weeks ago, and was killed by a roadside bomb in Salah ad-Din Province. Branden was doing what he wished with his life, and loved being a soldier. Last week, he earned the top physical training achiever for his unit in Iraq and his Sergeant bought him a knife because of that achievement. Branden's military awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Weapons Qualification, M4, expert and posthumous awards of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Military life agreed with Branden and he was recently recommended for Army Ranger School. He is survived by his parents, William (Bill) and Tammy Haunert; five brothers: Joe, Nicholas, Christopher, Andrew and Sean; aunts and uncles: Jeff, Robbie and Chris Fultz, and Donald, Timothy, Susan, Steve and Robby Haunert; and by many friends. Branden was preceded in death by his grandfather Donald J. Haunert.
