Kevin Matthew Pape

United States Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Matthew Pape passed away on November 16, 2010 while deployed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Pape was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed playing basketball and running cross country. He loved to construct tanks out of old boxes and play “Army” with toy guns. In 1998, Pape graduated from high school and went to college shortly thereafter. He and his wife, Amelia, met in their hometown and were later married.

Having been impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, Pape felt he was called for more and decided to enlist in the US Army in 2005. He completed One Station Unit Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, also in Fort Benning. Upon graduating, he was then assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as a machine gunner, team leader, and squad leader. In addition to completing the Basic Airborne course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, Pape completed the US Army Ranger, Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Warrior Leader, and Advanced Leader Courses. Pape’s main goal with serving his country was to lead by example. He was described by others as defining sacrifice, dedication, and selfless service and his main priorities in life were his family and the soldiers he led. Throughout his honorable career, Pape received numerous awards and decorations, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Expert Infantry Badge, and the Parachutist Badge, among many others. He was posthumously awarded with the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. While deployed in Afghanistan, Pape was the lead Ranger in a heavy firefight against a large number of Taliban when his life was tragically taken from him.

Amelia currently resides in Indiana with her daughter, Anneka. With the financial stress of her mortgage being lifted from her shoulders, Amelia and her daughter are able to achieve their goals. She is eternally grateful to Tunnel to Towers for the unwavering support and commitment to care for her family. She and her daughter keep Pape’s memory alive by continuing to make him proud and live as he would.

United States Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Matthew Pape is survived by his wife, Amelia, and his daughter, Anneka.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Pape family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.