Hartley, Iowa, native killed in Iraq

• Webster killed in active duty

LeRoy Webster, of Hartley, Iowa, was killed during a patrol in Kirkuk, Iraq, Saturday while serving active duty in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, and three daughters, Natasha, Kaydence and Jaydn. (Submitted Photo)

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JOHNSTON, Iowa — Sgt. LeRoy Webster, 28, of Hartley, Iowa, was killed during a patrol in Kirkuk, Iraq, early Saturday evening, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army.

The son of Donald and Crystal Webster of Hartley, he leaves behind wife Jessica and three daughters, Nata-sha, Kaydence, and Jadyn, all of Hartley.

Webster was assigned to Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Born in Spencer, Iowa, he grew up in Hartley and graduated from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School in 1999.

A former member of the Iowa National Guard, Webster mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, Iowa Army National Guard (Algona) in 2002, providing security at a Department of Defense installation in Newport, Ind. He also deployed to Afghani-stan with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard (Council Bluffs) in 2004-2005.

After returning from that deployment, Webster moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., and later transferred to the active duty Army in 2006. From October 2006 to January 2008, he deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and performed duty in Baghdad. His last deployment began in January 2009 in Kirkuk.

Webster’s family issued the following statement:

“LeRoy was a wonderful husband and terrific dad to his three beautiful daughters. He was proud to serve in the United States Army. He will forever be deeply missed by his family and friends.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Tags: state and region, news, iowa, iraq