Specialist Krystal M. Fitts was born August 20, 1985, in Alameda, California.
Described by her mother as a “no nonsense young woman with a bright mind, a quick wit, and a stellar smile” who others naturally gravitated towards, Fitts joined the Army in 2009 as a chemical operations specialist. She trained at Fort Jackson, Fort Leonard Wood, and Fort Benning, before coming to Fort Bragg in May of 2010 where she was assigned to the 82nd Airborne.
Her superiors reflected that Krystal filled a critical role in her unit and took on duties well beyond the scope of her training. She is described as motivated, tenacious, and dedicated.
On her first deployment, Fitts volunteered to serve on a Female Engagement Team in Afghanistan. The Engagement teams, typically made up of a few female soldiers attached to a larger, more traditional combat unit, went on patrols with U.S. troops and often participated in humanitarian projects aimed at women and children. Naturally drawn to connect people, she learned the Pashtu language to help soldiers communicate with local Afghans.
Lt. Col. Timothy Gilhool, commander of the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, described the teams as invaluable, reflecting that Fitts and her fellow team members had become “the literal face of America to a host of Afghan women and children. Of Fitts specifically, Gilhool recalled, “Krystal was unafraid. Her presence made the difference.”
On July 17th, 2012, Fitts’ base came under attack, and she died from wounds sustained from indirect fire. Only hours earlier, on the day of her death, she posted a photo to Facebook of a soldier holding a helmet with a bullet hole in it. The photo’s caption asked people to be grateful. “Remember so many have given of their lives that we have the privilege and the duty to make the most of ours,” the caption read. “Let us do our best to live worthy of this freedom they fought and gave their all for us to enjoy.” Specialist Fitts was 26.
Specialist Krystal M. Fitts is buried at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery and Mausoleum, Pflugerville, Texas.
Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93942219/krystal_marie-fitts
https://goldstarfamilyregistry.com/heroes/Krystal-Fitts-480443
http://508pir.org/taps/graves/f/fitts_km.htm
Back To Blog