USFK troops remember chaplain's
assistant as 'soldier of distinction'
By Jeremy Kirk, Seoul bureau
chief
Jeremy Kirk / Stars and Stripes
Soldiers at Camp Bonifas turned out Thursday to remember Sgt. Levi David Cowley, 21, who
died Saturday after swimming. |
CAMP BONIFAS — Sgt. Levi David Cowley, a chaplain’s assistant who died last
weekend, was remembered Thursday for his positive attitude, good soldiering and commitment
to the U.N. Command Security Battalion, a demanding unit on the border between North and
South Korea.
More than 100 soldiers gathered at this small post to memorialize Cowley, 21, who died
last weekend after swimming. Coronary artery disease contributed to Cowley’s death,
but complete autopsy results are not available yet, said Lee Ferguson, USFK spokesperson.
Cowley received a unit coin from commander Lt. Col. William P. Miller the first time
they met for scoring a 300 on his physical fitness test, a strong score, Miller said.
"He was continually distinguishing himself," Miller said. "Levi gave 110
percent in everything he did."
Cowley collapsed after leaving the swimming pool at Camp Bonifas. He was taken to the
121st Hospital by helicopter and died later Saturday.
On the job, Cowley took great care and had keen attention to detail to his chaplain
duties, said Capt. John Savage.
"Sgt. Cowley’s attitude made him a soldier to emulate," Savage said.
"We grieve his loss because he was a good leader, a good soldier and a good
friend."
Cowley, of Riverdale, Md., entered the Army in July 1998. He was promoted in June to
sergeant.
He is survived by his parents, David and Yvonne Cowley of Riverdale, Md., and his wife,
Kera, of Bryn Athyn, Pa.
Chaplain (Capt.) Lonnie Williams said the battalion recently has started a monthly
prayer breakfast with the theme "soldiers of distinction." Williams asked Cowley
to come up with some words that fit the theme.
Cowley wrote: "Soldiers of distinction embody all aspects of good soldiering. They
are physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually fit.
"Soldiers of distinction are both emotionally and morally courageous. They set the
standard regardless of adversity that surrounds them.
"They are proudly committed to serving their family, their fellow soldiers and
their God," he wrote.
"I took one look at it and said ‘Yes, this is it,’" Williams said.
"He was describing himself."
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