FORT HOOD, Texas - As most 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers were only days from getting on a plane headed for Iraq, it was on their highest priority to honor two of its own after their recent deaths.
Pfc. Jordan May, Company A, 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and Pvt. Timmy Lynch, Company E, Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, were honored separately on Fort Hood. May died at his home in Cuero, Texas while on leave Dec. 20. Lynch also died while one leave at his hometown of Fort Smith, Ark. Dec. 27.
1st Cavalry Division's Memorial Chapel was packed as troopers from 4th Sqdrn., 9th Cav. Regt. honored May, a cavalry scout, Jan. 5. Lt. Col. Andrew Shoffner, 4th Sqdrn., 9th Cav. Regt. commander, described May as an energetic, skillful and enthusiastic young man, and that although his life, however short, should not be seen as "unfortunate" but instead to focus on those attributes that made May well liked and respected throughout the squadron.
"Let those be your three watchwords as we deploy to combat this week," he told his Soldiers in attendance. "For if you only focus on the negative or feel sorry for yourself, then this deployment will be very long and hard for you, but if you consider yourself a lucky man to have ridden the trail along side such fine troopers like Pfc. Jordan T. May and adopted his attitude and attributes, then this deployment will prove a rewarding event for you."
Capt. Jesse Prince, Co. A, 4th Sqdrn., 9th Cav. Regt. commander, addressed May's family, telling them that it was his honor to have served with a Soldier of May's caliber and commitment to his troop, the Army and his country during a time of war.
"We are serving in an all-volunteer Army of a nation at war ... Pfc. May enlisted at a time when his country needed him the most - without fear or reservation and with a great sense of duty," Prince said. "He knew when he signed up to be a cavalryman; he would be in the forefront of the War on Terror. This made him a special breed of Soldier; the type of Soldier who was ready to stand with his brothers and do what was needed."
For Cpl. Estanislado Bella Jr., who worked closely with May, the time they spent together was mostly spent joking and laughing.
"If there was a trait of his that described his personality the best, it would be his unfailing sense of humor," Bella said. "He always had something to say and regardless of how little relevance his comment had with the conversation taking place, it would, at least, make everyone smile."
Bella said he'll always remember May as a friend, a great Soldier and a brother.
May is survived by his mother, Jana Lee, father, David, sister, Kaitlin.
For the "Black Knights" of 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2n BCT, 1st Cav. Div., they honored one of their newest Soldiers at Memorial Chapel Jan. 6. Lynch, of Fort Smith, Ark., a petroleum supply specialist assigned to E Co., Forward Support Company, 1-5 Cav., arrived to the unit in September 2008.
According to Lt. Col. Scott Jackson, although Lynch had only been with the "Black Knights" for a short time, he said he lived a "Soldiers life" and done so with honor.
To his company commander, Cpt. Nathan Fahie, Lynch was a shining example of patriotism and valor.
"Although he was only here a short time his efforts and hard work were appreciated and widely felt," Fahie said. "He will always be remembered as a Soldier of honor, loyalty, and duty."
His supervisor, Sgt. Dorothy Golphinsyas described Lynch as one of those Soldiers who make their sergeant's job easier due to his eagerness to train, learn and to volunteer for any mission.
"He adapted well to his new platoon ... to this military environment and the Army way of life," she said. "He quickly adjusted with the ever changing duties of the distro[bution] platoon and enjoyed a wonderful working relationship and personal friendship with all his peers."
Lynch is survived by his mother Denice Kincy and his father Timothy Lynch, Sr.
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