Ernest, 33, was on emergency leave when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq. Sixteen soldiers were killed in the attack.
Ernest was promoted posthumously to Staff Sergeant and was buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute. Military officials presented his wife, Barbara, and his father, Donald, with American flags. Barbara Buckleew also received her husband's Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Ernest was the son of a coal miner, grew up in Geneva, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia, where he attended high school and college and joined the National Guard. He joined the Army in 1999.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Barbaba Ellen Kennedy Bucklew, and his sons, Joshua and Justin of Colorado; his father, Donald R. Bucklew; a sister and brother-in-law, Dawn Marie and Chris DeFelice, and a niece, Kristyn and nephew Zackery, all of Enon Valley.
(see his mother's site: Mary Ellen Bucklew)
(edited information was kindly provided by Dennis Deel)
Ernest, 33, was on emergency leave when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq. Sixteen soldiers were killed in the attack.
Ernest was promoted posthumously to Staff Sergeant and was buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute. Military officials presented his wife, Barbara, and his father, Donald, with American flags. Barbara Buckleew also received her husband's Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Ernest was the son of a coal miner, grew up in Geneva, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia, where he attended high school and college and joined the National Guard. He joined the Army in 1999.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Barbaba Ellen Kennedy Bucklew, and his sons, Joshua and Justin of Colorado; his father, Donald R. Bucklew; a sister and brother-in-law, Dawn Marie and Chris DeFelice, and a niece, Kristyn and nephew Zackery, all of Enon Valley.
(see his mother's site: Mary Ellen Bucklew)
(edited information was kindly provided by Dennis Deel)