Tulsa World: Haworth soldier killed during Afghanistan patrol

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Haworth soldier killed during Afghanistan patrol

Brandon W. Farley Courtesy

By Staff Reports
Published: 9/22/2008 3:34 PM
Last Modified: 9/22/2008 6:16 PM

Heroes of Oklahoma: View a memorial to the Oklahomans who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A McCurtain County soldier, described by his family as a fun-loving country boy who was “military all the way,” was killed last week while on patrol in Afghanistan, officials said Monday.

The Department of Defense said Army Staff Sgt. Brandon W. Farley, 30, of Haworth, died Thursday at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained a day earlier when his mounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades in Able Monti, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Farley was the fourth Oklahoman to die Thursday in the Iraq-Afghanistan theater of operations. Three Oklahoma Army National Guard troops also were killed Thursday when their Chinook helicopter crashed 60 miles west of Basra, Iraq.

Along with them, four Texas National Guard troops — one of them a former Oklahoman — were killed in the crash.

Farley’s father, Wade Farley, who lives in the southeastern Oklahoma town of Tom, said he was notified of his son’s death last Thursday by two military officers who had gone to his workplace in Ashdown, Ark.

Wade Farley said his son was born at Sulphur Springs, Texas, and spent his early life living in Cleburne, Texas.

Brandon Farley spent his teenage years at Haworth, where he graduated from high school. Haworth is about 220 miles southeast of Tulsa.

“He was a good kid,” his father said. “He loved guns and shooting. He loved to go four-wheeling and he loved the social life.

“But one thing he didn’t like was getting dirty.

“He enjoyed the finer things in life — the best of whatever he could afford,” Wade Farley said.

Right out of high school, Farley said his son joined the Marines, doing one tour of service. After the Marines, Brandon Farley enlisted with the Oklahoma Army National Guard and later enlisted with the active-duty Army, his father said.

During his first four years in the Army, Wade Farley said his son saw duty in Iraq, but “never said much about his duty there.”

Wade Farley said the military was in his son’s blood, and he was proud of his service and proud to be doing something for the country.

He said his son re-enlisted in the Army and was sent to Afghanistan.

Farley’s brother, Corey, also described his brother as a fun-loving person.

“He loved serving his country,” his brother said. “He was a go-getter who had talked about joining the military ever since he was 16.”

Corey Farley said he often talked with his brother about his missions overseas, and was told there were good and bad times.

“But he re-enlisted because he loved what he was doing,” Corey said.

Brandon Farley was the oldest of four children.

In addition to his father and brother, he is survived by his mother, Sherry Farley and two sisters, Ashlyn Farley and Lauren Farley, all of Dallas.

Corey Farley said funeral arrangements are pending, but services, with full military honors, will be held at the Haworth Assembly of God, followed by burial at the Tom Cemetery.

Arrangements will be handled by Conley White Funeral Home in Idabel.

Corey Farley encouraged the public to attend his brother’s funeral. By Staff Reports

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	Report Comment Bluebird48, Sand Springs (9/22/2008 4:21:43 PM) May his memory be eternal. Lord have mercy. Pray for his family.
	Report Comment Milo, PoDunk (9/22/2008 4:27:47 PM) God speed Brandon W. Farley..
	Report Comment Polly Wog, Tulsa (9/22/2008 11:55:20 PM) God bless you, brother. I hope your family can find peace in knowing that you served your country well and faithfully in Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting your countrymen from evil men who would see us all tortured and killed. And I hope they are willing to accept that only about 50% of the American public would go out of their way to spit on his grave to show their ingrattitude for his service and his sacrifice. People like Phil69 for example, who dishonor the very word "American" and show no respect or admiration for those who die to protect his way of life. I hope someday our community can pay tribute to a fallen hero without throwing in snyde political commentary. Wouldn't that be nice?
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (9/23/2008 2:05:33 AM) phil69, you are sick individual, you really need to see a doctor.
	Report Comment Brandon Farley's Friend, (9/23/2008 10:35:23 PM) Brandon, You will truly be missed. I loved you dearly. You were a great friend and soldier to the bone. Everyone no matter your views on the war, please please leave a kind war for Brandon and his family. He was an absolute blessing on Earth. He was dependable, caring, and incredible. I was so proud of his service and bragged about him all the time. I knew that we were in good hands with soldiers like him fighting for us. This is a tremendous loss and he will be grieved greatly. I will not forget you Brandon. God Bless Your Soul and RIP Sincerely and Sadly, Ryan Daniels

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