Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate

Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate, 27, of Hinesville, Ga., joined the Army Oct. 18, 2001, as a food services specialist.

His first assignment was in Darmstadt, Germany. He deployed to Iraq for the first time from October 2003 to February 2004. In April 2004, Tate was reassigned to Fort Stewart, Ga., and deployed to Iraq again from January 2005 to January 2006.

In July 2006, Tate came to Fort Bragg and was assigned to 782nd Brigade Support Battalion. Tate deployed with the unit to Afghanistan from March 2007 to April 2008 and stayed to deploy again in August 2009.

“Staff Sgt. Sheldon Tate was a true warrior and leader of paratroopers. His last actions were a testament to the leader he was, as he grabbed a young paratrooper and led him to safety," said Capt. William Hofmann, his company commander.

"Staff Sgt. Tate was the epitome of a silent professional and a noncommissioned officer for others to emulate. Hero is the only word that can be used to describe a man of Staff Sgt. Tate’s caliber and moral fiber.

"He cared with all his heart and loved his family dearly. He loved what he was doing, he loved the paratroopers with whom he served, and he will forever be remembered as an American hero.”

Tate’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Tate died Tuesday, July 13, 2010, while repelling an insurgent attack on an Afghan police compound in Kandahar City.

Tate is survived by his wife Marion, his daughter Kiante, his parents Walter and Valerie Moore and sister Ebony.