Karl Pieper 

Karl B. Pieper was born at West Point, New York on September 22, 1979, while his family was stationed at the United States Military Academy. After living in Connecticut and Ohio, he graduated from high school in June 1997 from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida. He was a good student and a dedicated athlete who was co-captain of his high school basketball team. He loved the outdoors, in particular the beaches of Florida and the mountains of Colorado, and the physical challenges that life presented him. He attended the University of Connecticut from 1997 until 2001.

After the terrorist attack on September 11^th, Karl knew that he wanted to serve his country, and enlisted as an infantryman in the U.S. Army in November 2002. After completing his basic and advanced training in June 2003, he went to Airborne School in July 2003, and was then assigned to the 101^st Airborne Division, which was already deployed to Iraq. Karl was assigned to the 1/502^nd Infantry Battalion in Mosul. Within a month of his joining the unit, Karl was quickly recognized for his leadership abilities, and was assigned to the Battalion's Scout Platoon, where he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB). 

After returning from Iraq in February 2004, Karl continued to improve his war fighting skills, completing Air Assault School in May 2004, and Ranger School in August 2004. He was then awarded the Expert Infantryman's Badge (EIB) in November 2004, and completed the US Army Sniper Course in May 2005.

Karl was promoted to Sergeant in March 2005, and deployed to Iraq for a second time as a sniper team leader with the 1/502^nd Infantry, which was stationed in Mahmudiyah. Karl participated in numerous sniper and reconnaissance missions in the "Sunni Triangle," where his scout platoon was continually recognized for the detailed information it provided and the elimination of enemy threats within the Battalion's sector. Karl was medically evacuated from Iraq in June 2006 due to a back injury, and returned to Fort Campbell.

Unfortunately, his injuries resulted in Karl receiving a medical disability retirement, and he was discharged from the Army in September 2008. While awaiting his medical discharge, Karl completed his Bachelor of Science Degree from Troy University in July 2008. Karl died at his mother's home on May 10, 2009.

Karl is survived by his mother, Maryann Trocchio White, his father LTC (Retired) William J. Pieper (US Army-Reserves), his stepfather, Michael White, his sisters, Lauren, Erin, and Rebecca, and his brothers, Philip, Ian, and George.

Karl was proud of his military service, and was a dedicated soldier whose career was ended prematurely due to his injuries. As his platoon sergeant while stationed in Iraq said, he will always remember Karl "as the one person who could put a smile on my face when times were tough, and put the chaos in perspective." SGT Karl B. Pieper loved his country, the U.S. Army, his family, and the men whom he served two tours in Iraq with whom he considered to be his brothers.

Fellows Mahmoud Miri and jesse Scollin are completing their Fellowship in honor of Karl Pieper.

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