Cloverdale soldier killed in Afghanistan

Sunday, July 3, 2011 ~ Updated 6:25 PM

CLOVERDALE -- A 21-year-old Putnam County soldier serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan was killed in action Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Sunday.

Army Pfc. James A. Waters, Cloverdale, died Friday, July 1 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents reportedly attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

The Cloverdale soldier was assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, N.Y.

Waters' body was returned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Saturday where his parents, Garry and Valerie Waters, traveled to make positive identification.

With his mother wearing a Military Mom shirt and his father sporting a Whiteland High School football shirt, his parents met the media Monday afternoon -- the Fourth of July -- after returning from Delaware.

"I felt like Jimmie died a hero," Garry Waters said, "and I was proud of him."

His father also recalled the grief he experienced when military personnel arrived at their southern Putnam County home. "When you answer the door and there's two servicemen there, you already know the answer," he said.

A U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Pfc. James A. Waters Saturday, July 2 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Waters, 21, Cloverdale, died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (Associated Press photo)

An infantryman, Pfc. Waters joined the Army in September 2009. After training at Fort Benning, Ga., he came in Fort Drum in January 2010. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011.

Waters' awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Pfc. Waters graduated from Johnson County's Whiteland High School in 2008, after which the family soon moved to the Cloverdale area.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Jennifer, and three brothers, including Andy and Anthony Waters, both of whom have also joined the Army.

Andy Waters is in the midst of boot camp, while Anthony is scheduled to deploy next March.

No funeral service information is currently available.

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  • Our thoughts and prayers are with the Water's family. No words can ease the pain of your loss but we thank you for your sacrifice in defending us all.

    -- Posted by USAirman on Sun, Jul 3, 2011, at 12:29 PM
  • Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family & friends of this young soldier.

    -- Posted by miraclemom3 on Sun, Jul 3, 2011, at 2:56 PM
  • all of us pray for your family and your loss. it can not compensate you all, ever, for this loss, but he is a true hero. and will always be remembered as a hero. a grateful nation will always appriciate the devotion this young man showed for his country. bless you and the fallen hero. yes, we do appriciate his contribution to freedom in this world. thank you and our prayers to your family.

    -- Posted by BORNINPUTCO on Sun, Jul 3, 2011, at 5:53 PM
  • My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this brave young man.He truely is a Hero.

    -- Posted by interestedperson on Sun, Jul 3, 2011, at 8:24 PM
  • R.I.P. Pfc. James A. Waters.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family young man.

    -- Posted by A Mad Bovine on Mon, Jul 4, 2011, at 6:07 AM
  • My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this hero right now. No words can even come close to the sacrifice your family has suffered. Please know that we appreicate his willingness to serve and protect our country. God Bless you all.

    -- Posted by ladycubs on Mon, Jul 4, 2011, at 11:07 AM
  • God bless you and your service.

    It's sad that the Cloverdale Town Board meeting articles has more responses than this story.

    -- Posted by Keyboard_hero on Mon, Jul 4, 2011, at 7:35 PM
  • keyboard_hero, It is quite possible that many people didn't even think to check the B-G yet since they broke the story on Sunday and today is a holiday. I'd almost guarantee there will be more responses tomorrow when everyone returns to their normal lives.

    -- Posted by miraclemom3 on Mon, Jul 4, 2011, at 8:55 PM
  • May this brave young man rest in peace. Prayers to his family they should be very proud.

    -- Posted by dcsaiht on Mon, Jul 4, 2011, at 9:18 PM
  • Your son DID die a hero Mr. Waters.

    -- Posted by conffool on Tue, Jul 5, 2011, at 1:20 AM
  • My prayers go out to this family and this soldier for his service. God Bless our military, their families and the USA!

    -- Posted by SamHill on Tue, Jul 5, 2011, at 7:23 AM
  • So sorry to hear of your loss. I too am a soldiers mom (two tours over there) and my thoughts and prayers go out to this family. He is truly a HERO and he will never be forgotten. God Bless you and your family. God will get you through this. Thank you for the sacrifice and fighting for our freedom and countryJames Waters. You will be greatly missed.

    -- Posted by oifmom on Tue, Jul 5, 2011, at 7:37 AM
  • Definition of Hero: A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities...

    Courage, achievements, nobility...

    This man not only was, but will always be, a Hero. Just as all of them are who are serving. God bless your family with the ability to move through this. Praying for you.

    -- Posted by SMEEBS on Tue, Jul 5, 2011, at 9:12 AM
  • *

    Very few words are able to soothe the emotional loss of nature. Be proud of your Son for being a patriot and paying the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May God bless you and all your family at this time of grief.

    -- Posted by ridgerunner54 on Tue, Jul 5, 2011, at 4:05 PM
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