1LT Nick Dewhirst

First Lieutenant Nick A. Dewhirst, US Army
25 August 1982 – 20 July 2008

An Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 48, Nick graduated from Onalaska High School in Onalaska, Wisconsin, in 2001.  Nick attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida before gaining acceptance to the US Military Academy at West Point,  New York.  During his time at West Point, Nick was the Captain of the elite West Point Parachute Team; completed the Special Forces  Combat Diver Qualification Course at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School in Key West, Florida; and Ranger School at Fort  Benning, Georgia.  In his free time he also enjoyed recreational rock climbing, scuba diving, and BASE jumping.

In July 2008, 1LT Dewhirst was Killed in Action in KhostProvince, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents brought his  convoy under attack with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.
Nick left behind his parents, Randy and Susan, and his brothers, Chase and Chad.  Nick is interred at the West Point Cemetery at the  US Military Academy.  His eternal neighbors include General George A. Custer, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Astronaut Ed White, and  several of his West Point classmates who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.  More information about West Point is available at www.usma.edu.

 

Why this Travel Bug?

I met Nick on July 1st, 2002, when we both entered the US Military Academy.  He was and remains an inspiration to me.  We were roommates for the most taxing six weeks of my life, yet he handled it with grace.  When those six weeks were over, we were again roommates for another five months.  He was a great person, an amazing personality, and a great leader.  I wanted to make this travel bug so that more people learn about him.  If someone sees this and it inspires them to be like Nick, the world might be a little bit better
place. 

Even if you do not help this TB along its way, please look at the links on the TB page, and leave your comments on the TB page, along with the forum below.  If the hitchhiker is in disrepair, contact me and I will send another. 

The West Point Association of Graduates maintains a collection of memorials and eulogies for each of its fallen Soldiers.  Nick’s page is accessible at http://www.west-point.org/users/usma2006/62445. 

Nick loved the outdoors, and would love geocaching, but wouldn’t like the stealth required on some caches.  His honesty would prevent him from being too sneaky. 

Goals of this Travel Bug
Please upload photos to the TB page.  As these photos are uploaded, I will credit your name on this page with helping Nick along on his journeys.
Visit
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Daytona Beach, Florida
Key West, Florida
Fort Benning, Georgia
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
University of Connecticut

Pictures
At Onalaska High School
On Daytona Beach
At the 0-Mile Marker in Key West, Florida
With BSA Troop 48
At the "Iron Mike" statue on Fort Benning 
At Nick's grave

Adventures
Jump from a plane
BASE Jump
Rock climb
Any Scouting Jamboree

Extra Credit
For Nick’s Eagle Scout project, he designed and built a bridge over a local creek in Onalaska.  I think it would be great if this Travel Bug made it to that bridge.  This would require additional research, and possibly local Scoutmasters or family members’ assistance.