Ep 7: Where's My Chariot, SSG Bryan Burgess

An amazing photo from Afghanistan emerged in 2011 of a soldier kissing the helmet atop the battlefield cross for SSG Bryan Burgess. The 101st Airborne Screaming Eagle patch is prominent on medic Brit Jacob's arm as his hand holds the back of the helmet.

The symbolic act signified something Burgess had done to each of his soldiers prior to a mission. He did this as an act of leadership, sacrifice, and resolve.

His fellow soldiers are quick to speak well of him. They believe he epitomized the selfless, steadfast squad leader; the model leader who didn't seek credit or complain when events deteriorated. He wasn't simply a good soldier; he was an outstanding one.

It sounds cliché, but one soldier said he'd follow him to Hell and back. He placed himself in harm's way often, and they knew they could count on him in the toughest of situations.

He was the kind of man others named their children after, as his commanding officer Tye Reedy did, using the name Bryan for his son. Reedy considered Burgess a man of few words.

Reserved. A silent professional. During the Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley, Burgess gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Bryan Burgess grew up in Cleburne, Texas, thirty miles south of Fort Worth. It's one of those typical Texas towns passionate about football, cowboy boots, and hard work.

He was well liked by classmates and active in sports but loved soccer the most. He had great concern for his family's safety, often concerned about someone staying out too late or reminding them to buckle their seatbelt.

After his 1999 high school graduation, he worked for an armored car manufacturer and attended classes at nearby Hill College.

The events of 9/11 changed everyone, and Burgess was no different. He vowed to fight back—for himself and his country. His father, Terry Burgess, said, "He was going to war to fight an enemy that had killed Americans on American soil. Bryan didn't know the victim's names, but he fully intended to avenge them."

Military service ran through his family with a great-grandfather who had served in World War I, a grandfather in Korea, and an uncle who served in Germany. He chose the army and the infantry so that he could get into the fight. His 2003 transformation from civilian to soldier was notable after basic training, as he lost weight and toned up.

He embraced all the army offered becoming jump qualified and working toward Ranger qualification. Like many, he earned a nickname—the Cookie Monster—for stealing everyone's cookies, including the First Sergeant's.

No cookies were safe around him, as one would say, including the one about to enter your mouth.

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