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Army Ranger killed in Action

USASOC PAO
20 July, 2009 06:29:00

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FORT BRAGG, NC — An Army Ranger died July 18 from wounds received during combat operations in Afghanistan while serving with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Benning, Ga.

Corporal Benjamin Stephen Kopp, 21, was seriously wounded during a combat operation in southern Afghanistan July 10. Kopp was medically evacuated through Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, D.C., where he later died as a result of his wounds July 18.

His unit had attacked a Taliban safe haven where they fought a determined enemy from multiple directions for several hours, resulting in the killing of more than 10 Taliban fighters, according to official military reports.

“Cpl. Kopp gave his life fighting against a tenacious, malevolent, and determined enemy during a sustained firefight, under incredibly difficult conditions, with his fellow Rangers,” said Col. Richard D. Clarke, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “His actions on that day are in keeping with the finest traditions of the 75th Ranger Regiment and his loss will be felt by all.”

“Ranger Kopp was a best friend to everyone in his platoon and he never hesitated to lead the way to go where others would not. He was a great Ranger and a great American citizen that the Nation can be proud of,” said Lt. Col. Daniel R. Walrath, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment battalion commander.

After graduating from Rosemount High School, Kopp enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Rosemont, Minn., July 2006. He began his Army Ranger career when he was assigned to Company C, 3rd Bn., where he served as a rifleman.

Kopp was on his third deployment in support of the War on Terror with two previous deployments to Iraq.

He is survived by his mother Jill Stephenson of Rosemont, Minn., and his father Duane Kopp of Minnetonka, Minn.

Cpl. Kopp' Bio.

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Comments (12 posted):

Les on 21 July, 2009 09:59:32

A young man died doing what he wanted to do, being with an elite fighting force in the company of his brothers. He did it for them, he did it for us. He surely will not be forgotten by me. He is an example for all who serve and those who don't. Thank you Benjamin Stephen Kopp, God bless you. Rest now, your fight is done.

Grant on 22 July, 2009 01:28:45

May God bless your pathway Warrior!

Dozy on 22 July, 2009 04:15:09

Rest in peace.

stephen on 28 July, 2009 01:55:37

I was support for the that batt and remember this guy. Three years after turning 18 he did three deployments, and accomplished in a short period of time more then most people do there whole existence. He was the blade on the spear of democracy, who died holding true to the principles of third battalion. No doubt it was a desire to save those he held dear that made him fo fierce in his last firefight. Bravo Zulu to Kopp and Long Live the Kings.

ben lee on 02 August, 2009 04:30:37

You died serving country and family but most of all you died for your brothers i respect you...... god bless you. May you rest in peace. may i try to do a fraction of the things you did.

Alex on 02 August, 2009 03:12:31

I am a brazilian soldier and..do i like very much of the us army..i love the ranger regiment and 1DSFO-Delta.Godbye man.Sorry for my english.

Ron. 2/75 on 10 November, 2009 01:55:33

Rest in Peace brother.
One for the airborne RANGER in the sky.

kathy robinson on 13 January, 2010 07:20:58

All i can say is that i am so sorry for this Ranger, he is a hero and will never be forgotten, so young and sacrificed his life for us, i thank him for that,but thanking is not enough, i wish he didn't die,but now he is in peace in heaven where it is glorious and he'll never go through anything like this ever again. God bless him!
This really breaks my heart, i am so sorry!

Chad on 16 January, 2010 06:18:27