The Ultimate Sacrifice for One’s Country

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
November 14, 2007
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

New Auburn native, CHS grad loses life while in Iraq--Has Thorp ties

Item courtesy of the Chetek Alert

A young native New Auburn woman and a 1995 graduate of Chetek High School made the ultimate sacrifice for her country this past week after being killed Thursday, Nov.1, in a road-side bomb explosion during a mission in Iraq.

Tracy Alger, 30, graduated from UW-River Falls with a degree in agricultural business and marketing, and also studied graphic design.  She worked both in graphic designs for a company in Chippewa Falls and as a certified nursing assistant at Dallas Care & Rehab.  She enlisted in the U. S. Army, however, in January of 2006.  As her mother, Pauline Knutson of New Auburn states, it was the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, that prompted Alger to seriously consider serving her country.

“The events on 9/11 were the deciding factors [in her enlistment],” said Knutson.  “She wanted to go right at that point.  Everyone kind of tried to talk her out of it and discouraged her at that point, but she continued to want to go.  I encouraged her to always do what she wanted, and pursue it.”

Alger also has a strong family background in the military.  Her mother served in the U. S. National Guard for a year and a half; her sister, Tanya Leo, served in the Air Force for over five years, Leo’s husband, Christopher, is currently enlisted in the Air Force, and both are stationed at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.  It was that sense of pride in her family and her country that made the decision to enlist so easy.  Alger also told her family she joined the U. S. Army for the purpose of leading American soldiers.

“She was a leader,” said Knutson.  “There are some very big shoes to fill.  She was compassionate.  She was concerned about her troops.  She excelled in everything she did.  Even when she worked in the nursing home, people looked up to her.  She told me, ‘My soldiers deserve the best training, the best leadership, the best of everything, and I’ll ensure that they receive it. That’s why I’m their platoon leader.’”

“We were all proud of her,” said Leo.  “And we are proud of all our service members.”

Alger attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and later attended officer candidate school in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Alger was a second lieutenant in the United States Army, and a part of the 101st Airborne Division’s 3-187 Infantry Regiment also known as the Rakkasans.  She also graduated from U. S. Army air assault school.  Originally stationed in Fort Story, Virginia, Alger transferred into the Rakkasans, and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The Rakkasans have a very proud and noble history, according to Captain Rick Hawkins, who served in the same battalion as Alger and was also her boyfriend.  The Rakkasans date back to World War II, and stem from being one of the first units to enter Japan after they surrendered in World War II.  The battalion’s history continued through the Korean and the Vietnam Wars.  Most recently, they were deployed to Afghanistan following the attacks on 9/11, and have been deployed three times to Iraq.  Alger learned the history of the Rakkasans, and it was that decorated past that was a part of the reason Alger chose to serve with the Rakkasans.  Alger was a distribution platoon leader for her battalion.

“Tracy aspired to be the best at everything,” said Hawkins.  “It was part of her decision to become an officer, and she wanted to be a company commander.  She loved her platoon and leading them in combat.  Her one request to Lt. Col. Andrew Rohling [her commander] was to let her remain platoon leader as long as possible, even though it put her at great danger.”

“She wanted to be with that group,” said Knutson.  “She was proud to be a Rakkasan”.

A beloved and respected soldier

On September 20, Alger left for deployment to Iraq.  As the distribution platoon leader, Alger was in charge of traveling to remote patrol bases and outposts to distribute supplies.  Her battalion’s mission in Iraq was to secure the Iraqi city of Yusifiyah in the Baghdad province in order to allow local government and Iraqi security forces to take control of Yusifiyah’s government.

“Tracy was an amazing platoon leader,” said Hawkins.  “She was the best platoon leader in the battalion.  She was respected and loved by the entire battalion, and was the heart and soul of her platoon, her company, and her battalion.  She wanted to lead American soldiers, and she did.  And she led by example.”

Hawkins recalled a story from this past summer, in which their commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Rohling, took all of his officers on a grueling 15-mile road march during a 100-degree day.  Out of the 55 officers, only about one-third of them finished.  Alger was the only female that finished.  Hawkins added that Rohling had rated Alger the top lieutenant in his battalion, which had over 30 lieutenants, a singular distinction for their only female officer.

Alger intended to attend the U. S. Army Sapper school following her deployment in Iraq.  Hawkins explained that Sapper school is a very difficult training process which focuses on combat engineering, dismounted patrols and infantry skills.  Hawkins was quick to note that this is not a school for women, but training designed for men.  Only recently had the Army begun to allow women to participate, and only in small numbers.

“No one had any doubt that she would complete the training,” said Hawkins.  “She would find the toughest challenge and conquer it.  It is the hardest school that a female is allowed to attend.  The men and women that served with Alger had the utmost respect for her.”

Hawkins also noted that Alger was open to making the military a career.  She intended to complete a master’s degree as well.

A horse’s work ethic

Alger’s desire to work hard and to be a leader started long before she considered enlisting in the Army.  During high school, Alger was a member of the band, the track and cross country teams, and was color guard captain.  Her enthusiasm and drive in running and with the music program prompted her to remain close friends with Chetek High School band director Bruce Kamrath.  Apparently, Kamrath had a profound effect on her as well, as he was one of the people listed to be contacted in the event that something should happen to her while serving in the military.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Kamrath.  “Tracy emulated the Bulldog spirit.  She never was afraid to take a challenge.  She worked incredibly hard.  She ran track and cross country, and I didn’t give her credit for a lot of God-given talent, but she worked hard with what she did have.  She dedicated a lot of time to the band program, and was always dependable.  I’m sure that is what led to her rank and a distinguished career in the military.  It was my privilege to work with her.  She was a great gal.”

One of Alger’s greatest loves, Knutson explained, was for horses and barrel racing.  Alger served as the president of both the UW-RF rodeo team, and the Wisconsin Girls Barrel Racing Association.  Around Chetek, Alger also served as a member of the Red Cedar Riders and the Hydroflites Water-ski Show Team.

For now, the United States flag and the flag of the U. S. Army wave outside of Knutson’s home as a testament to their family’s service to the United States.  There are also plans to bring a torri, a type of Japanese gate that is considered the “gateway to honor” and is also the symbol of the Rakkasans, which will be placed in Knutson’s yard as a memorial.  Arrangements are currently being made for funeral services.  What is known as of press time is that the family intends to bury Alger alongside her grandfather, Ted Symbal, in a cemetery in Stanley.