Kenneth Levi Ridgley
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Kenneth Levi Ridgley graduated in 1993 from East Richland High school, where he joined the Illinois National Guard his senior year. His service helped pay tuition to Southern Illinois University, where he was a roper on the rodeo team. He left the Guard after six years to pursue his trade, but after three years joined the Army.

On 30 March 2005, then-Sergeant Kenneth Levi Ridgley was serving as a Squad Leader in Company A, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SGT Ridgley’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces. SGT Ridgley’s courageous actions and dedicated devotion to duty that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Kenneth Levi Ridgley, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while serving as a Squad Leader in Company A, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq, on 30 March 2005. Sergeant Ridgley's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Inurnment

The ashes of Sergeant Kenneth Levi Ridgley are inurned at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 8-K2, Row 11, Site 3.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14407625/kenneth-levi-ridgley