Military Branch: Army; Rank: SGT

Summary:

SGT Jameel Freeman Sr. was born in Baltimore, MD. He joined the army national guard on Nov. 26, 2002 where he served seven years. Basic training was done at Fort Benning, GA (Summer 03).

Jameel’s first deployment was in Iraq in support of the U.S. Army (Operation Iraqi Freedom) for nine months. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard in November of 2009.

Jameel re-enlisted in April 2010 as Active-Duty Armed Forces Military. Assigned to Combat Company 1-32IN 2nd Platoon and placed as team leader in Aug. 2010 of the 3rd squad Alpha team.

His short-term goal was to attend ranger school and become a drill instructor so that he could help and guide future NCO’s. His long-term goal was to do 20 years of active duty and become a 1st SGT and return to the Guard to continue to serve.

His hobbies included martial arts, acting, dancing, and of course video games. He did martial arts at Black Tiger Xtreme Fitness & Martial Arts which is now RAW FIT. He loved martial arts. He worked and trained hard to achieve his black belt.

Before his daughter was born, Jameel tried getting a civilian job, but it did not work out. Jameel saw the military as a means to provide for his family. He did ROTC in high school. After he re-enlisted, he was stationed with the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York, when he got the call to deploy on March 17, 2011, to Afghanistan for what was expected to be a year-long tour.

He wasn’t into computers. He wasn’t technical. He was a foot Soldier. He loved martial arts. He loved weapons and he loved being in the action.

In the Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Freeman died of injuries sustained when a makeshift bomb detonated near his vehicle while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Four others were killed in the incident. He is memorialized at APG and Fort Drum and in the hearts of those who knew him. Everyone that knew Jameel remembers a funny story with him.

Life Achievements/ Recognitions:

He was married on May 5th, 2007.

Jameel has two children, a son and a daughter.

He was awarded an ARCOM, a Good Conduct Medal, and 2 ARCAM’s.

Jameel has a black belt in martial arts.