The Army Pfc. Kyle G. Bohrnsen "Solid Brass" Portrait Tye Band memorial bracelets...
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The Army Pfc. Kyle G. Bohrnsen "3 color Brass Embedded" Portrait Tye Band memorial bracelets...
Army Pfc. Kyle G. Bohrnsen
KIA April 10, 2007
22, of Philipsburg, Mont.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division,
Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 10 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.
Philipsburg soldier remembered as avid hunter, good role model Pvt. 1st Class Kyle Bohrnsen of Philipsburg loved hunting and the outdoors and was a hard worker and great role model, friends and family said April 12.
Bohrnsen, 22, died April 10 from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device that detonated while his battalion was on patrol in Baghdad. Four others were injured.
“From what we know, it seems that he was driving when the IED exploded under his Hummer,” Geoff Bohrnsen, Kyle’s father, said April 12 from the family home in the Rock Creek Valley, west of Philipsburg.
“If you are a religious person, it makes you hope that someone somewhere else needed him,” he said. “That’s the only explanation of why he was taken from us.”
Bohrnsen was assigned to C Company 2-12, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort
Carson, Colo. He repeatedly earned the respect of his crew and superiors, his father said.
“He had what his sergeant called ‘the ability to make a career out of this,’ ” Geoff Bohrnsen said. “Even over there, people looked up to Kyle.”
Kyle Bohrnsen graduated from Granite High School in Philipsburg and joined the military with two close friends a little over a year ago.
This was his first tour of duty in Iraq.
Bohrnsen loved snowmobiling and bow-hunting for elk, and enjoyed all the “resources that Montana and Philipsburg had to offer,” Army spokesman Lt. John Bleile said.
He spent his free time working as a hunting guide.
“He cared for and knew the country better than any guide we employed,” said Bob Hogue, owner and operator of Big M outfitters in Philipsburg.
“We were skeptical hiring such a young kid, but that thought soon faded. He became part of our family and was an unbelievable role model and friend to our son, Ladd.” Bohrnsen was the first to arrive at work and the last to leave during hunting season, earning enough trust to handle Hogue’s return clients.
“He always worked hard and never complained about being tired or sick,” said Cary Hogue, Bob’s wife. “Even after a long day, he always made time to play pingpong or PlayStation with Ladd. He was just an amazing young man.”
Kyle Bohrnsen was 6-foot-3 and weighed more than 250 pounds before enlisting, but he used a solid handshake rather than intimidation to get his point across, Granite High School Principal Mike Cutler said.
“Kyle never had trouble with people for one reason,” Cutler said.
“They all respected him — and not just because of his size. He was a quiet leader. He led by example.
“I know it’s a cliché and I’m sure everyone you talk to will say it, but Kyle was a great kid,” Cutler said. “Kids looked up to him. It is just unthinkable that he won’t be coming home.”
Carl Sanders, Bohrnsen’s neighbor and close friend, added that Kyle loved his country and thought it was his job to help protect it.
Geoff and Lisa Bohrnsen said they are grateful for the outpouring of support they’ve received. They asked that donations be directed to the Flint Creek Valley Bank in Philipsburg, so they can set up a scholarship fund at Granite High School, Bleile said.
Besides his Parents, Kyle Bohrnsen is survived by his grandparents and a sister, Danielle.
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