An M-1 tank crewman from Fort Hood's 1st Tiger Brigade who was killed by enemy fire in Kuwait was buried with full military honors Sunday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Staff Sgt. Harold P. Witzke III, 28, of Caroga Lake, N.Y., was killed Feb. 26 by automatic-weapons fire while assaulting an enemy bunker inside Kuwait, according to Fort Hood spokesman Capt. Steve Panton.

Witzke's survivors include his wife, Dawn, who is from Copperas Cove near Fort Hood; a daughter, Cynthia Hendrix; a son, Brandon Witzke; and a brother, Michael Witzke.

The somber ceremony was held a day after Saturday's jubilant homecoming at Fort Hood for some 900 soldiers representing the vanguard of 24,000 soldiers from the sprawling Central Texas post who fought in Operation Desert Storm.

Panton said Witzke is among 11 Fort Hood soldiers killed in the 43-day Persian Gulf War that President Bush ended with a cease-fire at 11 p.m. San Antonio time Feb. 27.

Witzke was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Unit, 1st Tiger Brigade, 2nd Armored Division.

Capt. Jack Byas, chaplain at Fort Hood, officiated during private services at 11 a.m. Sunday in Sunset Funeral Home's chapel and also at the national cemetery. The family did not wish to speak with reporters, a casualty assistance officer said.

Byas, speaking to the family and a group of about 35 friends, said it was evident from the surroundings that "many times this scene has been seen before. And many times, people may think this is it. This is all that there is.

"But from God's word, we get a different picture, and a different story."

Byas quoted God as saying, "Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  "For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible."

The Lord's Prayer was followed by three volleys by seven riflemen and the playing of taps.

Witzke was the third casualty of Desert Storm to be buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, cemetery director Donald Fritz said. He said military rites also were held there in September for four members of the Air Force Reserve's 433rd Military Airlift Wing who had been flying missions in support of Operation Desert Shield and who were killed Aug. 28 in the crash of a C-5 cargo jet at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Source: San-Antonio Express News, San Antonio, TX, March 11, 1991

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

I delivered ammo during exercises to our tanks before we deployed.  Great gunnery sergeant. 

Harold...i miss you still to this day it was a blast growing up knowing you from Squad Leader in 2-8 Cav you took some crap from me and the guys..also from Top, Bobby and Clyde for not controlling us....and how Dawn was questioning the friends you had..I remember when you and Dawn got Married in Copperas Cove TX...time passed and again we met up again in Germany....you grew up from Ft.Hood then.....then finally we met in the Phone Line during Desert Storm..it was one of the greatest day during that time who would have Thought that would be the Last time i would see you to include Dawn and the kids, and all of us that grew up with you.         Love you and miss you Until we meet again Harold, Andrew Beyer

To much to write about but what I can say is that it was a honor to have served beside you. Your children turned into great people as you and Dawn are. Remembering our talks in the sand keeps me smiling as much as all us getting together and enjoying the evenings to the  early mornings. What a ride. Fly high solider until we meet again. 3-67 Tiger Brigade

HAROLD P WITZKE III

Service

PERSIAN GULF

SILVER STAR

PURPLE HEART

US ARMY,

SFC

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

Biography

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us