Sgt. Uday Singh
"TANKER, CENTURION PATRIOT, HERO"
HE GAVE " THE LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION"
Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Swisher - Commander 1st Battalion 34 Armor Regiment:
Your son served with courage and integrity. Uday was a true professional. He faithfully and honorably performed his duties. We are proud to have known him and to have served with him.
Captain Mike Taylor - Commander Cobra Company, 1st Battalion 34 Armor Regiment:
Sir,
I would like to introduce myself, I am Captain Mike Taylor and I was your son's company commander in Cobra company. You met my wife Connie at Fort Riley, Kansas, during Uday's Purple Heart ceremony. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your son. He was a fantastic soldier and man and a role model for every soldier in the company. No matter how tough the situation became, he still had a smile on his face and always remained positive. Uday made everyone around him better and passed on his wealth of knowledge to his fellow soldiers every chance he got. He also assisted his friends and fellow soldiers when no one else seemed to care. Uday was a hero to all of us here - he was a fighter. I was honored to have served with Uday, an honorable man, a phenomenal soldier, and a tough warrior. I will remember him always as every other soldier in Cobra company will. We continue to fight on knowing that Uday is watching over us. The country is much better than when we first arrived in September and continues to improve each and every day. What we have done here, what we have fought for, is to provide this country and people an opportunity to choose their own destiny and to taste freedom. The children will reap the most benefits from what we have accomplished here. I wish you and your family the best, and again offer my condolences for your loss. very respectfully,
"Singh took advantage of every opportunity to better himself and realise his personal goal of becoming a US citizen and an Army officer. He attended college and applied for US citizenship and applied himself to becoming an expert tanker. Singh's performance was extraordinary" "Uday was a hero to every soldier in his Company for going into battle every day especially after being wounded. Uday fought hard for his band of brothers and the country that he loved and wished to someday become a citizen of. The sacrifice he made, and the way he lived his life, will always be remembered by every soldier in Cobra Company" "He was a fantastic soldier and a man and a role model for every soldier in the Company. No matter how tough the situation became, he still had a smile on his face and always remained positive. Uday made everyone around him better and passed on his wealth of knowledge to his fellow soldiers every chance he got. He also assisted his friends and fellow soldiers when no one else seemed to care. Uday was a hero to all of us here-he was a fighter. I was honored to have served with Uday, an honorable man, a phenomenal soldier and a tough warrior. I will remember him always as every other soldier in Cobra Company will. We continue to fight knowing that Uday is watching over us."
Captain Paul Thie Commander Cobra Company 1st Battalion 34 Armor Regiment:
Dear Mr. Singh,
I have been meaning to write you a letter but am not quite sure what to say. I received a letter from Uday the same day that I received the phone call about the tragic incident. Your son was one of the best soldiers that I ever served with. Uday and I were together on numerous field problems and deployments, the longest of which was to Kuwait. Uday was an extremely intelligent and gifted man. Uday was very proud of his family and spoke of you and them often. I told Uday that someday I would come to India and he agreed to show me around and introduce me to you. I plan on still doing this sometime in the future if that is ok with you. Sometimes when we were in Kuwait I would start to lose my motivation after days in the heat. When I would look at Uday and how he was meticulously working on the tank or helping other people it always helped me to keep going. SPC Baca, SSG Darren Cundiff, Uday and I were all on a tank together for a long period of time. Darren Cundiff was his vehicle commander while Uday was in Iraq. (But not on the day of the battle.) Darren Cundiff and I spoke frequently after I got out of the Army in June of 2002 and he always would mention Uday. Darren never wanted Uday to leave his tank crew because he was such an asset. Everybody wanted Uday on their tank, in their platoon, or in their company. My Sister lives in Chicago and has sent me numerous articles from the local paper on Uday. Your son was a true patriot and an outstanding soldier. Even more important, I considered Uday as a close personal friend. I deeply regret what happened and wish I could comfort you and your family in some.
First Sergeant Bill Luntsford:
Hi LTC Singh,
It is good to hear from you. I am well. Thanks for asking. How are you and your family doing? I have been on vacation for the last 3 weeks and just received your email.
I think of Uday often. I have many fond memories of him as a young soldier in my company. He was a very likeable individual. Many of the younger soldiers in my company were hard headed young men that only tried to do the bare minimum to get by. Their main concerns involved getting paid and going out on the town to find girls and or to get drunk. Uday was a strong contrast to the average soldier. Uday was more concerned about his reputation and about what the future had in store for him. He was mature and wise beyond his years. He went out and socialized, but never abused alcohol or caused any trouble. I would sometimes see him outside of my office late at night and sensed that he wanted to talk about something. I would call him into my office and we would talk for hours about whatever was on his mind. He wanted to be a good soldier and he wanted to make his family proud. He was always a good soldier who took pride in his uniform and whatever mission he was given to accomplish. He was always willing to be my Gideon bearer and I never had to ask him to do it. He felt pride in the unit and knew the significance of this unit symbol. We talked about the issues that he was having trying to obtain his citizenship and I continued to give him encouragement to complete the process despite the red tape that he was encountering. Uday struggled with his decision to leave the Army and go to college. He knew that he wanted to further his education. He enjoyed being an enlisted man, but wanted to become an officer like you. I encouraged him to continue his education by attending evening classes at the education center. Even if he decided not to stay in the Army, the educational benefit would apply to whatever he chose to do. I know that he consulted with several of the officers and NCOs about his options to get out or re-enlist. I was very pleased when he informed me of his decision to stay in the service, because the goal of the service is to retain the very best for advancement and I knew that Uday was a high quality individual. I looked forward to seeing him as a gunner of a tank and as a Noncommissioned Officer. I saw a lot of myself in Uday. As a tank crew member, Uday was a highly skilled loader. He was a very fast loader and he was sought by several crews to give them the best chance to achieve the highest qualification scores because he could load so quickly. 1LT Thie and Sgt Cundiff were always willing to give him credit for their successful high tank qualification scores. I know that I told you of the time when Uday was so tired that during one qualification run he forgot to load a round in the main gun. We had a good laugh at his expense reenacting that scenario. When we went to Kuwait, Uday was most enthusiastic. He told me that he felt that he belonged in the real world mission and actually hoped that he would get a chance to fight against the Muslims someday, because of some past occurrence which involved some of his cousins. I always tried to give him the opportunity to go to Kuwait city to socialize and communicate with his friends and family. He was very grateful to be able to do so. When we returned to the United States he would often tell me that he wished that we were back on the border between Iraq and Kuwait. The garrison life just didn't have the same appeal to him. Uday was with me several times during change of command rehearsals and parade rehearsals. We made small talk as we patiently waited for the next event to take place. He always stood proudly at mine or CPT Gordon's side and held our colors straight and proud. I am honored to have known him as a person, as a soldier, and as a friend. I hope this helps you to understand more about Uday the man. Please stay in touch.
Staff Sergeant Darren Cundiff, Uday's tank commander:
"He was proud to be a tanker. He came from a very long line of soldiers............Uday paid the ultimate price for a country that he was not a citizen of but loved as much as anyone I have ever seen. I wont soon forget him.........I knew and loved him as a brother."
Sergeant Kenneth Wyma:
"I worked with Sgt Singh. He is a hardworker and a trustworthy soldier. He was always trying to better himself and others. He was always putting the needs of others ahead of his own. He would do anything for a friend, whether it was loaning him a couple of dollars or picking him up in the middle of the night at the airport." "He also put the needs of the platoon ahead of his own. He would cancel his plans if even one person stayed working on that vehicle, because he believed the platoon should stick together." "Uday was a great soldier. He brought out the best out of everyone around him and never said a bad thing about anyone. He will be sorely missed by all."
------------------------------------ AMONG HIS SUBORDINATES, SINGH HAD A REPUTATION FOR UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP.
------------------------------------ SINGH WAS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED FOR POSSESSING A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE ARMY, AND TO BETTERING HIMSELF AND THOSE AROUND HIM.
Specialist Bobby Laracuente - Uday's room mate:
"I first met Spc Singh in July 2002 when I first came in this unit. He was the first guy I met in Charlie Company, and he offered to help me with my bags. Singh would always put everyone else before himself, he was the type of person who would help you with any problem you had, he would actually listen to you." "He was more than a leader, he was my friend. I would always listen to him, and he would always listen to me, but now he is gone forever and I will miss him. He will always remain in my heart, and in the hearts of his family. He was very close to his father and sister. Uday I miss you buddy, and I know that God will be with you at this moment and forever." "Sgt Singh once told me that he could'nt wait to finish his term in the Army and go pursue a college education. He wanted to get a degree and come back and be in the Army as an officer. He said he wanted to be an officer because he always liked to be in charge. In fact the last thing I remember of Singh was of his leadership skills. He tried to square me away and I found it was easy to follow him."
Specialist Joseph Dinuzzo:
"Uday my best and most trusted friend, thank you for the best memories. I will never forget you. May God bless you friend."
Specialist Leonardo Pana:
He will be in my heart forever and the God is with him.
Sergeant Cesar Cazarez:
"Singh was the kind of person that it was tough not to like. Even if he did something to make you upset, you could not stay upset at him. I had the privilege of serving along side him. He was a very good soldier and a true hero."
Sergeant Antony Cora:
"Uday will forever be in my heart and prayers. I learned a lot from you. May your soul be at rest."
Sergeant Frank Moore:
"A loved brother that will be missed, but always remembered."
Specialist Robert DeDeaux:
"A solid person, a true friend. Thank you for covering for me while I was injured."
Specialist Larry Berry:
"Uday and I went to basic training together and were very good friends all the time I was in the military. He was always the smart guy and his diligence and dedication to his college always impressed me. ................. he was a good and trustworthy man. He was a good worker and a joy to be around. Everyone liked him."
Captain Patrick Chavez Commander Cobra Company (upto 25th Oct. 2003):
Sir,
Your son was a great person whom I miss very much and the Army is now worse off for having lost him. I regret that you must deal with his loss and the feeling that his contribution was not as heroic as other American soldiers.
Soldier
Uday was a great soldier. He was the type of soldier that all Commanders’ from platoon to division dream about enlisting, promoting and leading into combat. He was the type of soldier that I would refer new soldiers to for hints on staying out of trouble. Your son was known as “Singh” around the company. As he was not yet promoted when I was in command we did not use his rank when he was a Specialist and Private First Class. When new soldiers would arrive to the company I would be the next person they would see after the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant would insure they had all their proper orders, they had a place to sleep and that they knew how to properly “report” to the company commander. He would stress the importance of a good first impression. I would welcome the new soldier, tell them what I expected of them, that my door was always open if they needed to talk and “stay out of trouble.” I would suggest they follow a certain soldier depending on which platoon they were assigned to see how to do their job. Your son was the model soldier in 3rd Platoon.
Uday always had a pressed uniform and shined boots. He took pride in his appearance. Many lower ranking soldiers do the bare minimum when it comes to their uniform and boots. They don’t care to impress their leaders, but they also don’t want to get in trouble. This is a discipline problem that has always been present in the US Army. The Army’s definition of Discipline is “doing the right thing when no one is watching.” This is reason a small percentage of soldiers require constant supervision and some soldiers can be trusted to do their job when their leaders are not present.
Scholar
I always stressed the importance of education to the soldiers, because it meant so much to me and my future. When I was in high school, I too was tired of going to school and wanted to enlist in the Army to travel, do something exciting and become a adult like my grand-father and father had done. But as I was graduating from high school my father told me he would not allow me to enlist in the Army. He said he saw first hand how Mexican soldiers were treated in the Army. He said if you want to go into the Army, you go to college and then go in as an Officer. He said that’s where you’ll receive the respect you deserve and you will never be treated like a second-class citizen.
When Uday was in his window (a period of time) for recruitment he asked me for my advice. He said he was considering getting out of the Army and going to college and then returning as a Lieutenant. But he said I like what I’m doing now and would like to get promoted to Sergeant and progress in the enlisted ranks. He asked what I would do in his place. I told him I only knew and had experienced the officer side of the military. I told him I thought he was a smart, responsible soldier that I would trust to lead a platoon in my company. I suggested that he not reenlist and that he go to college. Then when he had completed college he could decide with a clear idea of his options whether to return to the Army as an officer. I believe he would have returned to the Army to become an officer to follow in the tradition you had already set. He was very proud of the rank and position you had achieved in your Army. I believe he wanted the same for himself here in the United States. There were very few people who didn’t know you were a Colonel and that Uday was proud of that fact. You obviously stressed to him the importance of hard work to achieve what you want in life. You did a fine job as a role-model for him.
Citizen
There are cultural differences that I’m sure you experience each time you visit the United States. Many of these differences are the reasons American’s take pride in this country. One of these differences is the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. These rights are taught early in school and many young people stretch these freedoms to locate their limit. This produces a level of independence and defiance in some young people. Some use this independence to become upstanding members of this society, while others stretch the defiance to a level that leads them into criminal behavior. Just like in regular society the Army attracts both of these types of people. Your son like a small group of soldiers in my company represented the minority population in this society that immigrated here with the goal of making a better life for themselves and their family. My paternal great-grandfather left Mexico 90 years ago, while my mother left 35 years ago to make a better life for herself and her family.
Uday was a hard-working soldier that never complained and always gave a hundred percent every day and the majority of the time with a smile on his face. He was not a citizen of this country but he contributed to the Army as much as any patriotic young American that joined the Army after September 11, 2003. September 11 caused Americans to relook the way they assumed their freedoms would always be provided to them and they would be protected without question. Many Americans started to realize that it was up to them, just as it had been up to their forefathers to stand up and fight for the defense of this country here and abroad. I had a handful of soldiers who enlisted to payback what they owed this country.
During many speeches people say that the soldier paid the ultimate price. Uday did pay a price that many today in America are not willing to pay or risk their own children to fight for, much less to go fight for a country that had not offered them citizenship for their unending loyalty. I respect the fact that even though he was not a citizen of the United States he did fight for the rights of it’s citizens everyday at Fort Riley and in Iraq.
My deepest condolences and prayers are with you and my hopes that you and your family will find a way to deal with your loss of your son.
Sir,
Your son was such a great soldier that it saddens me to think of the number of young soldiers that will not be able to benefit from his leadership and experience. Seeing his picture does bring back great memories of the time he and I spent together talking about his military career and his future. Once again I am sorry for the pain your family must endure each passing year.
You remain in our prayers.
Specialist Caleiph Ken'yon Brewer:
"I remember Sergeant Singh as an incredible individual with befriending instincts. Regardless of the situation he finds himself he would preponderate all with his unique charm and sense of humor. He was warm to everyone he encountered.
As I look in retrospect I remember a day before our unit deployed, I was assigned on a detail in the motor pool. The day was hot and me being a newcomer and lower ranked I was exhausted with a load of work on my hands; lifting heavy materials, cleaning and taking out bundles of trash among other duties.
However when I entered a hallway to get cleaning supplies, I conversed with Sergeant Singh who was on down time with other members of his unit. As I passed him by I remember him saying: “I feel guilty being in here doing nothing.
Without a shade of a doubt Sergeant Singh’s actions spoke louder than his words. Although at the time he didn’t know me as well as he knew members of his unit (which I later was assigned to in Iraq) he asked me if he could help me organize an inventory room. There was not much work to be done nevertheless I had an ample amount of time to reflect on the meaning of integrity- a quality he clearly possessed through the means of example.
Sometimes the little things we do for others may not automatically grant reward. However it is my belief that the aesthetics of selflessness is a gift that extends a lifetime. With that being said I hold with the highest regard the gift Sergeant Singh gave to me; Himself and that’s all I could ask for."
Specialist James Aubrey:
LTC Singh,
I must first apologize for not writing back sooner. I have been very busy and have been sick, but should have written sooner and for that I am sorry. Uday was a very good friend to me. Way before we even knew we were going to be on our way to Iraq, I considered Uday to be my best friend in the army. Uday actually got me hooked on Indian food. We went several times to a few different restaurants around the Topeka area. I forget the name of the place, but I believe Uday liked an Indian restaurant in Lawrence the best. I still like to eat Indian food, although there really isn't very many were I live now. We did hang out alot and I still think about some of the good times we had together. I don't know if you have the picture or not that I have attached, maybe you got it from Gary, but it is of Uday and myself at FOB Kileen. Just a little outpost in the middle of Khaladia, Iraq. I think when the picture was taken the task force had just established it. I have several more pictures of Uday and myself, unfortunately they are not on my computer or a disk right now. I will see if I can get them together and get them sent to you. I still remember the day when Uday didn't come back. On December 1, 2003 I actually did see Uday before his platoon went out that morning. We talked for a few minutes and then I told him to be careful. As I was walking away, Uday said "James, remind me when I get back, I have something important to talk to you about." I said "Ok, we'll talk when you get back." I still wonder what he wanted to talk to me about to this day, and I still have no idea. I also want to let you know that when we had the memorial service for him over there, a few days after it happened, that it went very well and it did honor to your son. Perhaps one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, was to say goodbye to my friend that day. I hope that this email has helped you. I wish you and your family the best. If you would like to know more or ask me a question, please feel free to email me again.
Sergeant Gary Correia:
LT COL Singh,
I just wanted to talk to you today to let you know that I was thinking about you and your family. You are all in my prayers. I am sure today is hard for you and your family. I know that the pain of losing a loved one can be brought back at times like these. I wish there was more I could say to give you comfort. All I can do is pray for you and your family. I know God will give you the peace and comfort you need.
All we can do is remember Uday for the wonderful man he was. He fought bravely and always showed compassion and care for his fellow soldiers and friends. Uday was a wonderful person and anyone who never had a chance to meet him really missed out on a blessing.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your family always.
Uday was a very well liked man. He was very generous and kind to all who crossed his path. He was a very giving person. When people came to him for help, he would never turn them away. Uday was a friend to the friendless. It seemed that if there was a fellow soldier who didn't have many friends, he would make it a point to become a friend to them. I always enjoyed being around Uday, he truly was genuine. He was who he was and he would not compromise his integrity for no-one. Uday was a great soldier, awesome friend, and a wonderful man. The US Army, friends, and family truly lost much the day Uday left us. He was truly a blessing to me and many others. My prayers will continue to be with the Singh family.
Staff Sergeant Earl Bundy:
Dear Mr. Singh,
Hello this is SSG Bundy, yes I remember Singh,....always and forever. He was a friend and a true warrior. Everyday I remember Singh, and all the comrades that gave the ultimate sacrifice, I love and remember your son as if he was a brother to me, and a brother he is. His memory will carry on with me and my children as a true hero who gave all for the sake of others. God bless you Mr. Singh.
Staff Sergeant James Cassell:
Uday,
I hope you can in some way read this, I know you will. You are still a very special person to me and I always consider you my little brother. You used to tell me that you were a warrior and that you came here to us to be a warrior. Truthfully, I kinda thought you were a confused kid, but after your death I now realise that you probably are the greatest warrior I have ever known. My heart was broken the day I found out about your death. The next day Jason Zewrig came to Ramadi and told me the whole story. We sat in the truck with your blood still on the seat. I cried. But I did not really feel sad. Because I know you went the way of the warrior. You will always be with me in everything I do. I also know you will watch over us and guide us in the future. Uday, my brother I love you and hope one day we can meet again.