In Honor of Dale J. Kridlo

Corporal Dale J. Kridlo 33, was killed in action in Kunar Province Afghanistan on November 7, 2010 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He had been in Afghanistan since December, 2009 and was scheduled to return home just before Christmas, 2010.

CPL Kridlo, a soldier supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, lived most of his life in the Pittston Area in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was an outstanding soldier who died fighting to protect his platoon and fellow soldiers. Kridlo chose the extremely dangerous and challenging job of route clearance and was noted by his comrades to be excellent at performing his job. He was proud of his service to his country and laid down his life in the service of others. Kridlo was promoted to Corporal posthumously on November 8, 2010. His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by the soldiers of the 27th Engineer Battalion, his family, friends, and the American people. He is a true American Hero.

Corporal Kridlo's awards, decorations, campaign, and service medals include the Bronze Star Medal posthumous, Purple Heart posthumous, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

On a cold, rainy November morning more than 5000 people paid their respects to Corporal Kridlo after waiting in line for hours while an American Bald Eagle stood guard outside in one of the barren trees. Kridlo's viewing was held at the West Pittston National Guard Armory in Pennsylvania. A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church in Pittston, PA. Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania ordered all U.S. and PA flags flown at half staff in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Dale J. Kridlo. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Kridlo was honored in Vero Beach, Florida, where his mother, Michelle Dale and step dad, Ken live, during the annual Veteran's Day observance and at a Memorial service at St. Helen's Catholic Church. Governor Charlie Crist ordered flags flown at half staff in Vero Beach and in the Capitol Building in Tallahassee on the day of his Memorial service.

CPL Kridlo was a loving father to his beautiful nine year old identical twin daughters, Madelyne and Zoe.

Corporal Dale J. Kridlo is survived by his mother and step dad, Michelle and Ken Dale of Vero Beach, FL; his brother, Damian of Hamburg Germany; his daughters, Madelyne and Zoe Kridlo, who live in Fort Collins, CO with their mother Antonia Christianne Reid.

Corporal Dale J. Kridlo 33, was killed in action in Kunar Province Afghanistan on November 7, 2010 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He had been in Afghanistan since December, 2009 and was scheduled to return home just before Christmas, 2010.

CPL Kridlo, a soldier supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, lived most of his life in the Pittston Area in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was an outstanding soldier who died fighting to protect his platoon and fellow soldiers. Kridlo chose the extremely dangerous and challenging job of route clearance and was noted by his comrades to be excellent at performing his job. He was proud of his service to his country and laid down his life in the service of others. Kridlo was promoted to Corporal posthumously on November 8, 2010. His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by the soldiers of the 27th Engineer Battalion, his family, friends, and the American people. He is a true American Hero.

Corporal Kridlo's awards, decorations, campaign, and service medals include the Bronze Star Medal posthumous, Purple Heart posthumous, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

On a cold, rainy November morning more than 5000 people paid their respects to Corporal Kridlo after waiting in line for hours while an American Bald Eagle stood guard outside in one of the barren trees. Kridlo's viewing was held at the West Pittston National Guard Armory in Pennsylvania. A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church in Pittston, PA. Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania ordered all U.S. and PA flags flown at half staff in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Dale J. Kridlo. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Kridlo was honored in Vero Beach, Florida, where his mother, Michelle Dale and step dad, Ken live, during the annual Veteran's Day observance and at a Memorial service at St. Helen's Catholic Church. Governor Charlie Crist ordered flags flown at half staff in Vero Beach and in the Capitol Building in Tallahassee on the day of his Memorial service.

CPL Kridlo was a loving father to his beautiful nine year old identical twin daughters, Madelyne and Zoe.

Corporal Dale J. Kridlo is survived by his mother and step dad, Michelle and Ken Dale of Vero Beach, FL; his brother, Damian of Hamburg Germany; his daughters, Madelyne and Zoe Kridlo, who live in Fort Collins, CO with their mother Antonia Christianne Reid.