SSG Patrick Lee Lybert, according to witnesses, held his position as the enemy attempted to overtake his Recon Team. Holding front position SSG Lybert engaged targets close enough and returned fire long enough that others could recover from the ferocity of the enemy’s attack, return fire, treat the wounded and call in indirect fire. Of the 17 soldiers there that day, two more would die with the additional death of a helicopter medic when the hoist on the helicopter malfunctioned. This bought the total number of Fallen during that battle to four. SSG Lybert was returning fire with his weapon at his shoulder when he received his fatal wound.

April 2nd 2008 SSG Lybert was posthumously awarded the Silver Star . At Honors held in his hometown, Ladysmith Wisconsin, Major General Robert Pollmann presented the Silver Star to Patrick’s grandfather, CPL Robert Patrick of Ladysmith, who in turn presented it to his daughter, Patrick’s mother, Cheryl Lee Patrick, and SSG Lybert’s brothers Stacy Alan Lybert and Noah J. Nussberger.

SSG Lybert’s awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Camp Lybert, Afghanistan built and named in dedication to SSG Lybert by 3-71 Cav 10th Mountain is an established outpost on a mountain border between Afghanistan and Pakistan . From Camp Lybert humanitarian aid and educational opportunities for the local Afghan children are provided by American troops as they fight to keep border infiltration routes closed off to insurgents.

From Patrick’s family – “We miss Patrick terribly and deeply grieve each minute without him. My son was full of life and love. We will always honor his memory by standing behind the troops who stand in front of us.”

“The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American flag flies from the last breath of each Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine who has died protecting it.” Author Unknown

Staff Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert, 28, of Ladysmith, Wis.; assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; killed June 21 when his unit encountered enemy forces using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during combat operations in Gowardesh, Afghanistan. Patrick liked the outdoors and thought about working in law enforcement. He graduated in 1996 from Ladysmith High, where he wrestled and played football. As part of his Boy Scout Eagle award project, Lybert cleaned and repaired a park trail along the Flambeau River. He enjoyed the out-of-doors and he was a good student. He earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice. His plan was to make the Army a career and then go into police work. He was coming back to Rusk County to be close to his family. He always had an inner drive to help others. That’s how this young man was. He is survived by his mother, father, stepfather and two brothers. He was also engaged to be married. He was 28.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Help Us Honor Their Memory” style=”fancy” icon=”caret”]