Army officer killed in Iraq advised Bremer

ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | October 27, 2003 | MIKE BRANOM

[witnesstothefall]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Army officer killed in a rocket barrage on a Baghdad hotel had a high-ranking position in which he directly advised civilian administrator L. Paul Bremer on how the occupation was being received by Iraqis, a military official said Monday.

The Pentagon identified the officer as Lt. Col. Charles H. "Chad" Buehring, 40. He was in his hotel room Sunday at the time of the attack, which also injured fifteen people.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was visiting the hotel at the time of the attack, but escaped unharmed.

Buehring was in charge of psychological operations for Army Forces Central Command, said his commanding officer, Lt. Col. Bo Merchant. Buehring also directly advised Bremer and other officials about how the occupation was being received by average Iraqis and how to encourage their cooperation.

"He was just a great American," Merchant said. "An awesome officer."

Buehring, who lived in Winter Springs, had served in the Army for 18 years and is survived by a wife and two boys, ages 12 and 9. He was active in the Boy Scouts and his church.

"He had the unique ability to balance the needs of the military profession, the needs of his family and the needs of his community simultaneously," said Merchant. "He was very active in Scouting, he was very active in the (Presbyterian) church he was a member of."

After graduating from The Citadel with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1985, Buehring was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He later earned master's degrees in international relations and in military arts and strategic studies.

In the Army, Buehring graduated from the Special Forces' officer qualifications course, the Army Rangers school and the Pathfinders course. He was a master parachutist and was qualified as an anti-terrorism instructor.

[witnesstothefall]

Rest in Peace, Colonel.

[nathanbedford]

I wonder what the NOW thinks of such men produced by the Citadel?

[Squantos]

Damn............

[Coop]

Buehring, who lived in Winter Springs, had served in the Army for 18 years and is survived by a wife and two boys, ages 12 and 9. He was active in the Boy Scouts and his church.

Another fine American lost while defending freedom. Rest in peace, Soldier, and God bless his family.

[patton]

Amen.

[Jeff Head]

A great all-American who made good in the U.S. Army and who was advising those leading the caolition reconstruction efforts (which is not surprising considering his rank and his field of expertise).

God rest his soul and God comfort his wife, kids and loved ones. Let them all know his sacrifice was not in vain and help us all to appreciate and strive to remember that sacrifice and support the effort that produced it.

[aristeides]

It sounds as if his job was pretty important. I wonder if he was being targeted.

[Jen]

Bump for a fallen warrior.

LtCol Buehring was assigned to Army Central Command Headquarters (Forward), Fort McPherson, Ga.

[kayak]

May God comfort Chad Buehring's family, friends, and fellow soldiers as they mourn their loss even as the Lord welcomes him Home.

[Jen]

It sounds as if his job was pretty important.

More info on the life and work of Lt Col Buehler on this thread.

[Jen]

So sorry. Correct name is Lt Col Buehring.

[twigs]

That explains the look on Bremer's face in the photo that I saw over the weekend. He was sitting in the WH with President Bush and looked, well, just looked pained. I wondered then if he had known anyone who died in the attacks. Now I know. God bless all of our men and women who are putting their lives on the line for us all.