Eric P. Woods

Died: July 9, 2005

Rank: Private First Class

Unit: 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

Branch: U.S. Army

Private First Class Eric P. Woods was killed July 9, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle outside Tal Afair, Iraq. Woods, who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, out of Fort Carson, Colorado, died heroically while performing the duties of a combat medic—attempting to save a comrade’s life. Shortly before the explosion, Woods had aided a wounded Soldier, stabilizing him and loading him onto a vehicle for transportation. As they drove to the landing zone, Woods’s vehicle was struck by the bomb, which killed both Woods and another Soldier. The Soldier initially aided by Woods, Sergeant Wolfsteller, survived. Woods was buried with full military honors in McDivitt Grove Cemetery in Urban­dale, Iowa.