COMANCHE, TX, USA U.S. Army SPC, TROOP F, 2D SQUADRON, 3 ACR, FORT HOOD, TX BALAD RUZ, IRAQ 03/10/2008
Specialist Donald Allen Burkett, 24, of Comanche, Texas, entered the Army in April 2006 as an armor crewman. He was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since August 2006.
Burkett’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
Donald A. Burkett was known for his goofy smile and his positive attitude, said Private First Class Anthony Wix-Aguilera. Heading to deployment, you wouldn’t find him in the bars or clubs, Wix-Aguilera said. You’d find him in his newly purchased home with his family.
Burkett, 24, of Comanche, Texas, was killed March 10 by a roadside bomb in Balad Ruz. He received a GED in February 2001 and was assigned to Fort Hood.
Gary Bufe, his former school principal, remembers Burkett as very intelligent, noting he generally scored in the 96th to 99th percentile range on pre-ACT college readiness tests.
He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and a son, Mason, 3.
Mason was my husband’s pride and joy, Brandi Burkett said. He didn’t like being away from him, he missed being home, but he felt like serving our country would be his chance to make things better for our future.
Burkett planned to give Mason a special birthday present when he came home on leave _ a puppy. We were supposed to go out and get the puppy, so his daddy could give it to him when he came in, said Carolyn Gray, Burkett’s mother.
Now the family plans to give Mason a puppy in remembrance of his late father.
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