Upstate Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

By Melissa Keeney

Taylors, SC May. 27, 2008

Just off Old Rutherford Road in Taylors, there’s a sign where the sacrifice of many is remembered.  It’s one “thank you” David Leimbach never got to see.  “His country was always number one,” says Leimbach’s sister, Linda Skilton.  “He always wanted to do this.  He wanted to be over there.  He would stand in front of the tv at home, and jump up and down, and say, I need to be there!  I need to be there!” Skilton says the 38 year old National Guard Specialist needed that service so much, that he returned to duty.  When a back injury ended his Marine career in the late 90’s, David was determined.  “He loved to save lives.” 9-11 renewed his love of country, and he signed up again:  this time in the Army National Guard.

Leimbach left for Afghanistan last May, returning only once in January, when he realized another dream:  he married his wife, Dawn.  “Being over there got him thinking about marriage and committment,” says Skilton.  David and Dawn met while working together at an upstate Walmart.  The two decided to marry in North Carolina, during Leimbach’s two week leave.  But duty called again.  When the rest of his 218th Brigade combat team came home this month after a year’s deployment, Leimbach volunteered to stay in Afghanistan.  “He said this is what I’m trained to do.  This is where I need to be.”

The National Guard says Leimbach was killed Sunday morning, during a hostile fire incident.  The unit was on a mission to recover a stolen vehicle, when they were attacked.  As the word of David’s death came just before Memorial day, his family says it’s fitting.  They believe this is the biggest “thank you” he could receive.  “It’s a bigger honor than anyone could ever imagine.”

Leimbach’s family is planning his funeral for sometime this week in Anderson.

For more on a special tribute to Specialist Leimbach in Afghanistan, visit Amy Wood’s blog:  http://www.wspa.us/index.php/blogs/entry/david_leimbach_wanted_to_fight_on_and_died_serving_his_country