Regional News
Father says Cozad, Neb., soldier dies in Iraq
Published Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Sgt. Justin Duffy
By JEAN ORTIZ Associated Press Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A Cozad soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom has been killed in Baghdad, the soldier's father and the Department of Defense said Wednesday.

Four other paratroopers were injured in the blast, but they are in stable condition.

Joe Duffy says 31-year-old Sgt. Justin Duffy was in a Humvee when an improvised explosive device detonated nearby on Tuesday in east Baghdad.

Military personnel delivered the news Tuesday afternoon, Duffy said.

His son was serving with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army based in Fort Bragg, N.C., after joining the service in search of a challenge, he said.

The Department of Defense confirmed Duffy's death on Wednesday, and officials said he had served with distinction.

"His legacy as a Gladiator and Panther Paratrooper will endure." said Lt. Col. Kenneth Rector, commander, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

Sgt. Duffy was originally from Moline, Ill., though moved to Cozad with his family while in the sixth grade. He graduated from Cozad High School in 1995. He later earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The Defense Department said Duffy joined the Army in June 2007.

Sgt. Duffy was deployed in November 2008 and expected to spend the next 18 to 24 months overseas, his father said.

"We had some fears, but at the time, the hostilities were much less than they had been previously," he said. "We took some relief in that."

But Duffy's family support his decision to join the Army. Duffy leaves behind his parents, Joe and Jan Duffy in Cozad, and two older sisters in Grand Island and Yuma, Ariz.

Duffy said his son could get along with anyone and had a knack for easing tensions between others. He was the kind of guy who was successful at anything he tried and was quick to jump in when needed, he said.

"When there's a job to do, he was the first one there," he said.

Duffy's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Cozad Mayor Greg Tetley has asked that flags be lowered to half-staff until Duffy's burial.

Services are pending in Moline, Ill.

"That was his real home," Duffy said.

Duffy's unit plans to hold a memorial service on Sunday in Iraq.

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