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New Castle man killed in war admired as ‘protector’
By Elise Franco
NEW CASTLE, Pa.
Staff Sgt. Edward Mills Jr. was a man his younger brother said he’s always been proud of.
Mills, 29, of New Castle was one of six soldiers killed Thursday in an attack in Afghanistan, according to military authorities.
They died of wounds after an attack in Kandahar province, the Department of Defense said.
Jarod Mills, 24, of New Castle, said his older brother was a protector.
“Eddie was a protector and a natural-born leader,” he said. “Growing up, he was always so concerned about me, and [in combat] always concerned about his guys. He always thought of others before he thought of himself.”
Also killed were 27-year-old 1st Lt. John M. Runkle of West Salem, Ohio; 35-year-old Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman of Jacksonville, N.C.; 25-year-old Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall of Bel Aire, Kan.; 21-year-old Spc. Adam J. Patton of Port Orchard, Wash.; and 39-year-old Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez of Camuy, Puerto Rico, military authorities said.
Edward Mills was a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Ranger Pathfinders on his third tour of duty in the Middle East.
Jarod Mills said his brother joined the armed forces in 2005, which came as no surprise to anyone in the family.
“This was something we all knew was coming. He was always heavily educated in the military,” he said. “My grandfather was in the Navy, and [Edward] knew everything backwards and forwards about the wars throughout history.”
His uncle Francis “Poncho” Exposito said that the 2000 graduate of Union High School had been in Afghanistan since Feb. 11.
“It’s been tough,” Exposito said. “We’re a close family. This is the last thing you expect to hear — especially on Memorial Day weekend.”
Mills said it’s through the support of well-wishers and his family’s faith in God that they’re able to get by during this trying time.
“I’ve been proud of my brother for years, and I understand other people can be proud of him now, too,” he said. “If we could just extend our thank you out to everyone for the prayers that they’ve said for our family.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.