Staff Sgt. Cottrell, of Pittsview, Alabama, died of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Cottrell, who joined the Army in 2004, had a Purple Heart, National Defense Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is survived by his parents, Alan Waters and Mannie Cottrell of Riverside, California; his wife, Sherri Cottrell of El Paso, Texas; two daughters: Megan Cottrell and Brandy Cottrell, both of of Pittsview, Alabama; two sons: James Christensen and Eric Cottrell, both of Pittsview, Alabama; and two brothers: Norris Alan Waters of Pennyslvania and Christopher Waters of Hawaii.
Staff Sgt. Cottrell, of Pittsview, Alabama, died of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Cottrell, who joined the Army in 2004, had a Purple Heart, National Defense Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is survived by his parents, Alan Waters and Mannie Cottrell of Riverside, California; his wife, Sherri Cottrell of El Paso, Texas; two daughters: Megan Cottrell and Brandy Cottrell, both of of Pittsview, Alabama; two sons: James Christensen and Eric Cottrell, both of Pittsview, Alabama; and two brothers: Norris Alan Waters of Pennyslvania and Christopher Waters of Hawaii.
Inscription
LIVED WITH PRIDE
DIED WITH HONOR
