Preston R Medley

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BAKER, FL, US

U.S. Army

SGT, COMPANY D, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH INFANTRY, 3D BRIGADE, FORT HOOD, TX

10/14/2008, QAZI BANDEH, AFGHANISTAN

Preston R. Medley’s love of guns may have started at his grandfather’s side, when, as a little boy, they would go hunting.

His grandfather remembered how the little boy had tried to hard to “hunt like Peepaw,” but usually ended up falling asleep in a warm spot before the outing was over.

“He never did get better,” Jesse Medley said. “He’d fall asleep too quick. I’d find him in the dog box sometimes asleep with the dog.”

Medley, 23, of Baker, Fla., died Oct. 14 in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an IED. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.

In high school, he played football and was involved in the broadcasting program. He often served as the talent in front of the screen but was also willing to get his hands dirty behind the scenes.

“He was always ready to do a gag reel and was never afraid of what people would think of his performance in front of the camera,” said Rich Colburn, Baker’s television class instructor.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, and a 1-year-old daughter, Raelynn. The couple is expecting a son on Dec. 14, who will now be named after his father.

Preston’s portrait is also on Poster 8