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Local soldier killed in Afghanistan

By Barrett J. Brunsman / Cincinnati Enquirer

UNION TWP. – A Clermont County solider has died of wounds suffered in Afghanistan.

Word was received this morning that Gregory James Missman died from injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device, said Keith Maupin of the Yellow Ribbon Support Center here.

A 1993 graduate of Amelia High School, Missman was 36.

The soldier's father, Jim Missman, lives in Pierce Township, said Maupin, whose own son, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, died in Iraq.

"He was in here yesterday," Maupin said of Jim Missman. "He told me his boy was in a convoy and got attacked, and one of those IEDs went off.

"He called me this morning and said he had passed away," Maupin said. "You need to pray for him."

Jim Missman said he was at a local funeral home this morning making arrangements.

It's unclear when Gregory Missman's body will be returned to Clermont County, Maupin said, but his organization plans to decorate local roads with yellow ribbons to show support for the soldier and his family.

"He wants to see a lot of yellow bows and ribbons when he gets home," Maupin said of Jim Missman. "That's what we're going to do. This is the cost of freedom."

Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud, founder of the Whole in My Heart support group for the families and friends of men and women serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, said he would like to organize a celebration of life for Gregory Missman.

"We in Clermont County will make sure that his sacrifice and service will never be forgotten," Proud said.

Missman would be the first Clermont County resident to die while serving his country in Afghanistan, Proud said. Six other residents died in Iraq. Two other members of the military killed in Iraq had parents who live in the county.

"We stand ready to help the family in any way we can," Proud said of the Missmans. "Not just our support group, but the county as well. We want the family to know that we're there for them. We want to do whatever we can to help them and help in honoring Greg Missman."

Gregory Missman was a member of American Legion Post 72 in Union Township's Mount Carmel neighborhood, where Jim Missman is a member and past commander, said member Norm Nedeau.

Also members of the post were Matt Maupin and Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Anthony "Tony" Wojciechowski, 25, of Union Township, who was killed in Iraq on April 30, Nedeau said.