Kristopher J. Gould
Corporal, United States Army
February 12, 1986 – February 28, 2011
Age – 25
Frankenlust, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, KY
Died of wounds received when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Kristopher was born on February 12, 1986, in Saginaw. He was a 2004 graduate from Valley Lutheran High School. He began his military service in 2003, while still in high school, with the Michigan Army National Guard. He served in Iraq from 2005 – 2006, was in the military full-time from 2006 to the present and he was on his 2nd tour in Afghanistan.
While serving in Afghanistan, Gould performed traffic control point operations to restrict Taliban movement in the southern part of the country. He was a very caring and loving man and was so very proud when he wore his uniform to serve his country. Kristopher was involved in several Army combative tournaments.
Gould previously served a 12-month tour in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 and a 15-month tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. The 2004 Valley Lutheran graduate was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East. He most recently deployed in January as part of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Knox, Ky.
He loved to go dirt biking, motorcycle riding, and 4-wheeling in the mud, playing baseball and golf. Growing up, baseball was his life as he could play it 24-hours a day. He participated in football, baseball and wrestling while at Valley Lutheran. He enjoyed hunting with his late Uncle Paul Gottleber. Kristopher was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served with its usher group, youth group, and Boar’s Head Festival.
His awards and decorations include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Mobilization, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.
His former platoon sergeant remembered him as follows:
I was Kris’ Platoon Sergeant here in Afghanistan, more importantly he was my friend! He was and is an inspiration to the whole platoon. He would do anything to help another Soldier, or friend. We miss him so much, and our condolences go out to his family. He was truly one of our brothers and will be with us until we return! We will fight for Kris, and he will not be forgotten!
Jeremy Benando