BLANDING — Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Winder of Blanding, a Special Forces medic in the U.S. Army, was remembered for his smile and exuberance during a memorial service here Friday. The highly trained Special Forces Green Beret was known for his good nature, sense of humor and positive outlook on life.
Winder died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations near Diwaniyah, Iraq, on June 26. Funeral services and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Friday at 11 a.m. Winder, the son of Tom and Terri Winder, is survived by his wife, Mechelle, 11-year-old son Logan and a large extended family.
Nathan Winder was born in 1974 in Seoul, South Korea. He was abandoned at the steps of a courthouse soon afterward. He was adopted at the age of 2 by the Winder family and raised in Blanding. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States when he was 4 years old.
Winder's grandfather, Cleal Bradford, said that his grandson had achieved a remarkable legacy. Bradford said Winder worked hard and achieved his goal "to become a strong vital example to a free world."
Winder was a strong supporter of the U.S. military effort in Iraq. In e-mails to his family, he said, "I believe that what we are doing over here, in the long run, will benefit all."
Winder's wife, Mechelle, a citizen of South Africa, said, "Nathan was a true American. Because he was a naturalized citizen, he appreciated what America has to offer. He never took it for granted; he only wanted to give to others what he had been given."
Nathan Winder entered the Armed Forces soon after graduating from San Juan High School in 1993. He was accepted into Special Forces Qualifications Course in 2003 to become a Special Forces medic. He earned the coveted Green Beret in 2006 and was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Airborne Group at Ft. Lewis, Wash.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal Fourth Oak Cluster, Good Conduct Medal Fourth Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Driver/ Mechanics Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
An estimated 25 members of the Winder family hope to attend the funeral services in Arlington. To help defray the costs, a fund has been created at Zions and Wells Fargo banks in the name of Nathan Winder.