12/14/2003

SSG Kimberly Ann Fahnestock Voelz was killed on 14 December 2003. SSG Voelz was assigned to the 703rd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 184th Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 52nd Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). SSG Fahnestock Voelz responded to an improvised explosive device that was hung on a power line transmission tower several feet off the ground in Iskandariyah, Al Anbar, Province, Iraq. A reconnaissance was conducted (it is believed a robot may have also been used) and a projectile was spotted. SSG Voelz approached the tower with a charge and detonating cord/time fuse set-up.  She radioed back that she was cutting the projectile down because she could not safely place a charge on it where it was. At this point a detonation occurred, fatally wounding SSG Voelz. SSG Voelz died a few hours later in a Baghdad hospital with her husband SSG Max Voelz at her side. Upon further investigation of the incident site the first responders to the scene found a second projectile (it was not connected with the first) that had been missed.  After SSG Voelz was removed from the scene, another Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived to the incident site and found a third projectile on the ground at the opposite corner of the tower. This projectile also was not connected to the others. SSG Voelz received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor medals posthumously.

*This bio was researched and authored by SGM Mike R.Vining, USA (Retired). Please send any additional information and/or corrections to the author of this bio by email: sgmmvining@gmail.com. The EOD Warrior Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in bio.