Florida soldier died "a warrior's death" defending others

Dying a 'warrior's death'
Northwest Florida News
By Army Lt. j.g. Bryan E. Mitchell
Special to the Daily News
Published: Sunday, January 12, 2014

CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan — Hundreds of troops gathered Sunday in a dingy airplane hangar that had been diligently transformed into a place of mourning and solemn remembrance.

Troops kneel before the Fallen Soldier Battle Cross for Sgt. 1st Class William "Kelly" Lacey who was killed in an attack in Afghanistan on Jan. 6. A memorial was held on Sunday in an airplane hangar at Lacey's base at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army / Special to the Daily News

Service members from at least a dozen countries came together to pay their respects to Army 1st Class William “Kelly” Lacey, a 38-year-old Northwest Florida native, who was killed in an attack the week before.

“He died a warrior’s death, defending his soldiers,” Capt. David Darling said during the ceremony.

On Jan. 4, less than two weeks before he was set to return home, Lacey sprung from his bed shortly after sunrise. Insurgents had struck his outpost on the Nangarhar Province compound.

“He was the first on the scene,” Chaplain David Howell said. “Vulnerable and exposed but suppressing fire.”

A car bomb had slashed through a section of the perimeter wall. At least six enemy fighters, some clad in suicide vests, were storming the base.

Lacey assumed a high position in a guard tower, and is credited with killing three assailants — two wearing suicide vests — before a rocket-propelled grenade took his life. No other Americans were killed.
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