Spc. Donovan D. Witham United States Army KIA 21 August 2007 Baghdad, Iraq |
| Tributes Memorial Page Established by- Amanda Spc. Donovan Witham Donovan D.Witham, 20, of Malvern, died Tuesday from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was traveling in near Baghdad, Iraq. Witham was a military police officer with the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. “Specialist Donovan Witham represented everything good about our paratroopers,” said Maj. Mark Lastoria, Witham’s troop commander. “He was a volunteer amongst volunteers by not only becoming a military police officer in the Army, but also a paratrooper. “He chose to join the Army when it was fully engaged in the global war on terrorism, which is courageous enough in its own right,” Lastoria said. Witham was a 2005 graduate of Glen Rose High School. He played football, ran track and was a member of the choir, Drama Club and Student Council. Witham joined the Army in November 2005. He completed Military Police One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in June 2006. He arrived to the 82nd in June 2006 and was assigned to 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry as a military police officer. “He always strived to be the best at everything he did,” Lastoria added. “He will be deeply missed and always remembered by those of us who had the honor to serve with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and friends during this sad time.” Witham’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge. Witham is survived by his mother, Martha Launius and his stepfather, Richard Launius, both of Malvern; three sisters, Amber Sharp and husband Stephen of Magnolia, Jamie Witham of Benton and Virginia Bennett of Magnolia; and his grandparents, Elizabeth Taylor of Paron, George Dixson of Malvern, Maxine Beck of Hot Springs and Arville and Carole Launius of Pine Bluff. ************************************************************************************** Donovan, may you rest in peace in the arms of our Jesus. Thank you so much for all you have done for our country. We will be forever thankful for your service. July 03, 2008 SGT Joshua Polland Donovan, not a day goes by that I do not think of you. I know that I was hard on you at times, but it was only to keep you safe and train you to be the outstanding paratrooper that you were. I'll never forget the talk we had on the bench in Iraq, it made all our hard work worth while and I hope that you know how much I love you and miss your goofy grin. You and Darron were like my little brothers, I worried about you but was so proud of the fact that I could always rely on you to accomplish the mission. Know that I miss you, brave paratrooper, my friend, my brother. Joshua Polland March 29, 2008 Ashton Duncan I miss Donny boy every day!!! he will always have a special place in my heart!!! i will never forget him!!! Can wait to see that smile again!!! I love you Donovan!!!! March 7, 2008 Rachel Ferriel Donovan and I met when we were juniors at Glen Rose High School. I had just transfered from Sheridan and felt out of place at a school of that kind. Donovan made me feel very welcome from the very beginning and thats how our friendship started. He was a very energetic man who loved to make people laugh. when he walked into the room everyone knew he was there. he made that very well known with some sort of joke that just made everybody relax. He loved to pick on people too. not in a hurtful way but just to make you smile. he is very much missed by all of those who had the pleasure of meeting him and getting to know him. he touched alot of peoples lives without even meaning to, that was just the kind of person he was. He is gone but never will be forgotten, for he lives on in our memories that we all share with one another. as long as we keep his memory alive he will had not died in vain. RIP. Jan 19, 2008 Glenn Thompson Donovan and I became friends in 2005 shortly before he enlisted. Donovan and I occasionally would meet at Huckaby's Grocery on Highway 35 and go shooting at the Shaw bridge over the Saline River I would have my Henry lever action .22 rifle and he would bring along an ancient Marlin with open sights. He out shot me every time even in that he always aspired to be the best in all that he did, Donovan was also fiercely loyal to his friends. One day some people were bullying me and Donovan found out about it that was the only time I saw him angry, he went up to the instigator and started giving him the same treatment . Then in no uncertain terms he told the guy'' It doesn't feel good does it? How do you like it? If you ever bother him again you will find out what a kick from a steel toed western boot in the butt feels like '' And I was never bothered again by that bully after that. Donovan was a great man not a day goes by that I don't think about him. My brother rest in peace you are 10-7 and at home in the arms of Jesus I look forward to the day I will see you again. Jan 18, 2008 JAMIE WITHAM DONOVAN LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU Dec 30, 2007 Martha Launius DONOVAN WITHAM WAS A MAN LIKE NO OTHER HE WAS IN LOVE WITH LIFE IT SELF AND LOVED EVERYONE HE GOT TO KNOW, HE WAS ALWAYS A GIVER EVEN TO THE END. A DAY DOS NOT GO BY WITH OUT ME THINKING OF HIM I WILL MISS HIM AND AM SO GLAD TO HAVE CALLED HIM MY SON FOR GOD GAVE ME A GIFT THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET I LOVE YOU SON AND MISS YOU. ILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN SOON LOVE MOM |
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