Andrew K. Waits
Specialist, United States Army
October 22 1982 – April 13, 2006
Age – 23
Waterford, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY
Killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV in Baghdad, Iraq
Spc. Andrew K. Waits of Waterford, Michigan was fun, sweet and competitive as a child. He captivated neighborhood kids with skateboard tricks, a strong kickball leg and a friendly disposition. Later, he dreamt of becoming a sheriff’s deputy. He seemed to brim with energy and compassion.
Andrew graduated from Kettering High School in 2001, then worked at a coffee shop and as a restaurant cook until he joined the Army in October 2003 in the wake of his father’s death. He was deployed to Iraq in September 2005. He said little about what he experienced in Iraq, where he was a Humvee gunner.
While driving at home, he would swerve to avoid potholes or anything that looked unusual in the road. Oakland County made Waits a Sheriff deputy posthumously. His family was presented with the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his military service. He died in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations at age 23.
He was remembered by some fellow soldiers as follows:
“Waits,
It Dang man. How have you been. I don’t even know what to say. I miss you. I never got to tell you this, I just figured you knew. But you were the BEST damn soldier I ever had the privilege of having during my short time as an NCO. I’m not even just saying that man. You knew it. I could count on you for anything. I hope your mother is doing okay. Mrs. Waits, if you are reading this, my heart goes out to you. I think of you and Smith every time I think of the Army. You and Smith have the top spots on my Myspace page. I know it’s not much, but I want everyone who visits my page to know how wonderful of a man you are. A HERO. and I miss you man. -Dang”
Sgt. Dang, Gary of (A-co 1/502) L.A. C.A.
“Waits you will always be missed I was just thinking about our trip to louisville with griff what a great time the three of us had. How I miss those days. Dianne I hope you are doing well and I am sorry that I did not keep in touch the way that I should have but my prayers are always with you.”
Sgt Greg Graham 1-502 INF of Margarita Island, Venezuela
“Andrew not a day passes by when I think of you, my comrade, my best friend, my battle buddy. There has always been a void in our lives when you were taken from us. I will always remember the fun and good times we shared together. (you me and ben) whether it be taking spontaneous trips to Canada or getting in trouble in oak grove ky. I love you man, and will miss you always.”
SSG Mabuyo, Sonny P of Fort Irwin, CA/ USA