11/5/2007

Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class (EWS) Kevin Ronald Bewley was born April 18, 1980 at St. Mary’s hospital in Russellville, Arkansas a proud man of his southern heritage.  He enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard as an 11C Infantry / Mortarman on December 10, 1999.  

While serving in the Arkansas National Guard, EOD1 Bewley completed Infantryman (11B) and Indirect Fire Infantryman (11C) training.  While in the Guard, he earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Mortar Bar, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar, and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. 

Honorably discharged from the Arkansas National Guard, EOD1 Bewley then enlisted in the US Navy  attended Basic Training and selected Aircrew Survival Equipmentman as his occupational specialty.  At the completion of his rate training he transferred to EOD Mobile Unit TWO to complete the Navy EOD Prospective Student Indoctrination Program in preparation for follow on training at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), Eglin AFB, Florida.

Upon graduation from the US Navy EOD Diving Course at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Florida EOD2 Bewley was assigned to EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN as an EOD Apprentice.  Once completing his first assignment at EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN he attended and graduated from the NAVSCOLEOD Basic EOD Course on August 12, 2005.  

EOD1 Bewley returned to EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN where he was assigned to EOD Detachment FIVE.  As a member of EOD DET 5, he deployed to Iraq from July 30, 2006 – January 30, 2007 where he earned the Army Commendation Medal while serving as an EOD Team Member at Forward Operating Base Sinjar and Combat Operating Base Spiecher, Iraq.  Following his deployment to Iraq, EOD1 Bewley earned his Explosive Warfare Specialist (Senior EOD Badge) designation, completed US Army Airborne Course and re-deployed to Iraq on October 8, 2007.  While operating at Forward Operating Base Summerall, Kevin Bewley as an EOD Team Member completing 18 combat missions including 11 IED responses, 2 post blast investigations, 4 UXO responses, and 1 explosive remnant of war response.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class (EWS) Kevin Ronald Bewley was killed in action on the 5th day of November, 2007 during combat operations while supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from Forward Operating Base Summerall in Bayji, Iraq.  Petty Officer Bewley was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor, Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal First Class (EWS) Kevin Ronald Bewley is survived by his daughter McKinnzie Bewley, his father Ronald J. “Duke” Bewley, his mother Connie K. Whitaker and his brother J. Patrick Bewley.