CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Over 300 U.S. Soldiers of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) mourned the loss of fellow soldier, Spc. Daniel Jay Beard, 24, in a memorial service at the Memorial Hall here, April 10.
Beard, a member of the 3rd platoon, 147th Adjutant General Company (Postal), assigned to the 408th Human Resources Company, 287th Special Troops Battalion, 287th Sustainment Brigade, 3d ESC, died April 3. His death was non-combat related.
His friends and comrades remembered him as a motivated Soldier with a "healthy dose" of humor. Those traits, according to Beard's platoon leader, 1st Lt. Jacqueline Woods, "made him a very popular Soldier, yet humble. He could always make you laugh. From a leader's standpoint, I was always most impressed by what a warrior he was. He never showed any weakness; he was tough in every way."
Beard came to Iraq, she said, with a resolution of improving his physical fitness. Within months he had transformed himself, and Soldiers from other COBs were asking her to send them pictures of him. "It was because I told everyone that he was a lot leaner. But Specialist Beard joked that didn't want anyone to see him before his big 'reveal' in Kuwait before redeployment. His last APFT was his personal best and was impressive to all of us," she said.
Spc. Samuel Boadi, who was Beard's roommate and battle buddy, was unable to attend the memorial but his remarks were read by another Soldier.
Boadi's message was that Beard was an inspiration and a source of strength to everyone around him. He credited Beard's energy and motivation for their platoon acquiring the name "The Aggressor" while training in Germany.
"You were indeed the backbone of our platoon. Thank you for not hesitating to come to war with us...you always kept a positive attitude and never let a day go by without smiling on something," the message read.
Beard's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
Beard is survived by his wife Yolanda, father Ulysses Beard, two older brothers and sisters -- all residing in Buffalo, New York.
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