| 2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger United States Army KIA 01 November 2007, Iraq |
| Tributes Memorial Page Established by-Tanya Leo Tracy Lynn Alger was born June 21, 1977 to Pauline Symbal of Stanley, Wisconsin. She was a 1995 graduate of Chetek High School and continued to further her education at UW-River Falls, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and marketing. She worked as a graphic designer and certified nursing assistant before enlisting in the United States Army in January 2006. Tracy was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), also known as the Rakkasans, based at Fort Campbell, KY. She graduated from The United States Army Air Assault School in 2007 prior to her departure to Iraq. Originally stationed in Fort Story, VA, Tracy requested to be transferred to the 101st Airborne Division where she served as a distribution platoon leader for her battalion. Tracy was killed in action on Thursday, 01 Nov 07, in Shubayshen, Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near her vehicle. Tracy's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service ribbon, and Weapons Qualification, M4, Expert. March 23, 2008 Shannon Mattner (Brown) There are so many wonderful memeories that I have from growing up with Tracy. Family Weddings, and running around Uncle Teddy and Aunt Bernice's farm. Those are memories that I will hold on to forever. I'm so very proud of my cousin Tracy. You are greatly missed. Jan 25, 2008 SFC Rod Brewer Christmas in Arlington... Rest easy, sleep well my brothers and sisters. Know the line has held, you job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell. From Arlington National Cemetery. Tracy, You Will Not Be Forgotten... Rod. Jan 22, 2008 1LT Jeremy Haynes LT Alger and I attended Air Assault School together shortly before our deployment. I can recall slowing down on Mile 8 of the 12 mile road march at Air Assault School and hearing Tracy saying, "Keep it moving Rakkasan." She was extremely physically fit and was full of motivation. Tracy & I joked with one another occasionally as well as offered each other advice. We spoke briefly before deployment and we told one another to be safe. I am deeply saddened for her lost & my sympathy and prayers goes out to her family, friends, and Soldiers. Tracy was a great Soldier and an outstanding person. LT Jeremy Haynes Jan 7, 2008 Lynn Craig, Whiskey Blue Farms For those that knew Tracy, how lucky we are. I bought Gettum from her a few years ago and every month or so she would send me emails of jokes, causes and just nice little notes about her progress in the military. She never complained and always was more worried about me and those wonderful horses. I'm riding this year with Gettum for Tracy taught me another lesson. Hold on to your dreams and do what you feel you must. We will never forget her. And Tracey's mom, thank you for bringing up such a wonderful person, I will think of you often and hope you will find peace. Nov 24, 2007 Zac Johnson Tracy I didn't know you all that well, but from what I did you were a extraordinary person. I have to say I am very proud of you and thank you for serving our country. I know you are gone, but it is great to know that an angle like you is watching over all of us and would do whatever you needed to help out and be there for any of us. You will be greatly missed! Love, Zac Tanya Leo Tracy was not only a dedicated soldier but the best sister that anyone could ask for. Words cannot describe the respect and love I have for my sister. Although she has been called home, she will live on in the hearts of those she touched here on earth. I anxiously look forward to the day that I can see her once again. I love you Tracetta! Nov 23, 2007 Steve and Lil Tracy was a very dedicated soldier and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country for our freedom. You'll be missed. Love |
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A New Auburn native whose passion was barrel-racing died when an improvised explosive device exploded
near her Humvee in Iraq, her mother said Nov. 3.
Army 2nd Lt. Tracy Alger, 30, died Nov. 1, according to her mother Pauline Knutson, of New Auburn.
Alger grew up in New Auburn, went to Chetek High School and then studied graphic design at the University
of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“Serving her country was what she wanted,” Knutson said. “We had a conversation before she left that she
might not be coming back, so we spent as much time together as we could.” Knutson said her daughter
started considering the service after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
After college, she worked as a graphic artist and then a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home before
signing up for the National Guard.
She moved to Fort Campbell, Ky. within the last year, she said. Alger was in charge of convoys that
transported supplies, her mother said. “She was a very considerate officer,” Knutson said. “She didn’t have
to go on a lot of the convoys, but she wanted to serve alongside her people. She was not a stay-back-at-
camp kind of person.”
Knutson said Alger wrote her aunt a letter, which arrived Oct. 28.
“She wrote a letter that they were going into a big mission and they were concerned about it,” she said.
Alger spent many years barrel-racing, a rodeo-like event in which horse and rider are timed as they
maneuver around large barrels, she said. Her horse, Tango, is boarded at Knutson’s home. She was on the
rodeo team at River Falls, and before she left she was president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing
Association, Knutson said.
“She was such a good daughter,” Knutson said. “We spent a lot of time together traveling to barrel races.
She was my right-hand person. We did everything together.”
Alger’s younger sister, Tanya Leo, served in the Air Force. Tanya’s husband also was in the service, and
Knutson was a member of the National Guard.
The family planned to wait for her body to return home before setting up the funeral, she said. Family and
friends were putting up a memorial in her yard Nov. 3 that included a flag pole. She said it was a bright spot
in her day. “She would want that,” she said. reprinted from MilitaryCity
near her Humvee in Iraq, her mother said Nov. 3.
Army 2nd Lt. Tracy Alger, 30, died Nov. 1, according to her mother Pauline Knutson, of New Auburn.
Alger grew up in New Auburn, went to Chetek High School and then studied graphic design at the University
of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“Serving her country was what she wanted,” Knutson said. “We had a conversation before she left that she
might not be coming back, so we spent as much time together as we could.” Knutson said her daughter
started considering the service after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
After college, she worked as a graphic artist and then a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home before
signing up for the National Guard.
She moved to Fort Campbell, Ky. within the last year, she said. Alger was in charge of convoys that
transported supplies, her mother said. “She was a very considerate officer,” Knutson said. “She didn’t have
to go on a lot of the convoys, but she wanted to serve alongside her people. She was not a stay-back-at-
camp kind of person.”
Knutson said Alger wrote her aunt a letter, which arrived Oct. 28.
“She wrote a letter that they were going into a big mission and they were concerned about it,” she said.
Alger spent many years barrel-racing, a rodeo-like event in which horse and rider are timed as they
maneuver around large barrels, she said. Her horse, Tango, is boarded at Knutson’s home. She was on the
rodeo team at River Falls, and before she left she was president of the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing
Association, Knutson said.
“She was such a good daughter,” Knutson said. “We spent a lot of time together traveling to barrel races.
She was my right-hand person. We did everything together.”
Alger’s younger sister, Tanya Leo, served in the Air Force. Tanya’s husband also was in the service, and
Knutson was a member of the National Guard.
The family planned to wait for her body to return home before setting up the funeral, she said. Family and
friends were putting up a memorial in her yard Nov. 3 that included a flag pole. She said it was a bright spot
in her day. “She would want that,” she said. reprinted from MilitaryCity
