Saying Farewell to 'a Warrior'

Va. Native Killed in Iraq Is Remembered as a Leader

The military was in Jonathan Dozier's blood. His great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, his grandfather served during World War II, and his father spent 28 years in the service. Carl Dozier last spoke with his son two days before he was killed in Sinsil, Iraq, this month.

"He was doing fine," Dozier, of Chesapeake, Va., told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. "You know, they can't say but so much, but based on what he could tell me, I know that they were getting ready to go after the bad guys."

Staff Sgt. Jonathan K. Dozier, 30, of Rutherford, Tenn., was among six soldiers killed Jan. 9 by a makeshift bomb during combat operations, according to the Department of Defense. Yesterday, more than 130 mourners, bundled up against the cold, gathered to say goodbye to Dozier as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. He was the 402nd member of the military killed in Iraq to be buried at Arlington.

Folded flags were touched to the container holding Dozier's remains for a long moment before being given to his wife, Sgt. 1st Class Amy Dozier, his father and his mother, Martha Cabe.

Dozier, a Virginia native, entered the military in 1997, his father told the Virginian-Pilot. He studied international affairs at Middle Tennessee State University before reenlisting in April 2005 as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to Middle Tennessee State, according to the Jackson (Tenn.) Sun.

His military service took him to Georgia, North Carolina, Washington state and then, in September 2006, to Germany. He entered a scout platoon and was deployed to Iraq on Aug. 11, 2007.

"He was a warrior," Carl Dozier told the Sun. "He looked after the welfare of his soldiers. He was a brave soldier. He chose to be in the sniper recon. He knew the dangers that were inherent."

His parents described him as a man with great looks and great intellect. Carl Dozier said his curly-haired son had the looks, strength and courage of Samson; his mother said Dozier could go on "Jeopardy" and answer every question.

Dozier's military honors include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and National Defense Service Medal.

He had a daughter, Emma.

"He had a vibrant life," Carl Dozier told the Sun.

The other soldiers killed with Dozier were Cpl. Todd E. Davis, 22, of Raymore, Mo.; Staff Sgt. Sean M. Gaul, 29, of Reno, Nev.; Sgt. Zachary W. McBride, 20, of Bend, Ore.; Sgt. 1st Class Matthew I. Pionk, 30, of Superior, Wis.; and Sgt. Christopher A. Sanders, 22, of Roswell, N.M. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Vilseck, Germany.

At a memorial service last Wednesday in Vilseck, Capt. David A. Dykema, commander of the rear detachment of his squadron, delivered a eulogy in which he called Dozier "a natural leader of men, and not afraid to shoulder responsibility."