Al’kaila T. Floyd
Sergeant, United States Army
March 4, 1983 – July 13, 2006
Age – 23
Grand Rapids, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
54th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, Bamberg, Germany
Died of injuries sustained July 8 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his mine protected vehicle in Ramadi, Iraq.
SGT Floyd died on July 13 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained on July 8 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Mine Protected Vehicle in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
On active duty and stationed in Bamberg since 2002, Floyd was on his second yearlong deployment to Iraq, where he served as a squad leader and vehicle commander performing route clearance. He is survived by his sisters, Tokia Hampshire and Luzinka Vander, and his twin brother, Aljaila Floyd, who had flown from the States and were with him when he died.
Floyd’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Sapper tab.
One of his battle brothers remembered him –
To the Family of Sgt Floyd,
Please forgive me for not writing sooner, but I have just now gotten up the courage to find out who you are. I was a medical technician in the Emergency Department at Balad AB when the chopper arrived carrying your loved one and I was a member of the team that tried desperately to save his life. As we treated him, I held his hand and told him that God was with him and that he was safe now. I prayed for him as we intubated him to treat his severe burns and stabilize him. I wanted you to know that I tried my best. It pains me to think that I was probably one of the last people to see Sgt Turner alive.
There was something very personal about that night for all of us there in the Emergency department, we all took responsibility for doing our best to see that Sgt Floyd and his fellow soldier Sgt Turner had every chance to live. I still have dreams about that night. I take his death very personally. Please feel free to contact me, I realize it would be difficult to open such a wound again, but I am willing to talk with you.
Sincerely,
MSgt Allan Folsom
USAF MEDIC
Wylie Texas
Another remembered him with the following –
Hey K.K., It’s been about 3 or more weeks since you left us. I was told by the other men in the hooch that I was screaming your name in my sleep, it scared them a little. I can’t believe you’re gone. I remember when I was just a new specialist and you were tough with me, but after a while I understood and respected that. You were in my squad for about 18 months and you got me ready for the war. I’ll never forget that, I believe that’s why I’m still alive today. You went too early bro. I have tried to ask God why and try to find out why but I still can’t understand it. I It’s not the same without you here. You’ll be with me always though, I know that. People like you don’t die, you live forever. Linden and Micks and Flores are with you, take care of them. Say hi for me will ya? I miss them so much. I want KK’s family to know that he was loved and respected by his men, and we will never forget him ever.
Sgt. Justin McCoy