Kevin Matthew Pape was born February 5, 1980 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2005 from his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, Pape was assigned to Co. C, 1st Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment in April 2006, where he served as a machine gunner, team leader and squad leader. SSG Pape was on his 6th deployment, 3rd Afghanistan tour, when he was killed on November 16, 2010 after he was wounded during a shootout with insurgents in Kunar province, Afghanistan. 

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course, Warrior Leader Course, and the Advanced Leader Course. His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Iraq Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

As a Ranger, Pape selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.

SSG Pape is survived by his wife Amelia Rose Pape, his daughter Anneka Sue who currently live in Indiana.

Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund honored Amelia and Anneka at our annual Gold Star Memorial Event by presenting a hand painted portrait of Kevin commissioned by the American Fallen Soldier’s Project.

The organization continues to be in close contact with Amelia and Anneka and has provided financial support for needs such as a new washing machine and summer camp, to name a few.