Soldier Killed In Iraq Has Local Ties

By JOSE PATINO GIRONA The Tampa Tribune

Published: Aug 26, 2007

TAMPA - Sgt. 1st Class David A. Heringes, a graduate of Tampa's Leto High School, joined the U.S. Army 15 years ago because he had a passion for it.

"He was making a career of it and he had no problem where they sent him," said his father, Ron Heringes of Spring Hill. "That was part of his job."

On Friday, Heringes, 36, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while he was on a mission in Bayji, Iraq, near Tikrit.

"Right now, it is still a shock," said his brother-in-law Bobby Rhone of Wesley Chapel. "Everyone here is still in disbelief."

David Heringes had served in Iraq for one year. He had been scheduled to return to the United States this month, but four months ago he learned his tour was extended until November, Ron Heringes said.

Ron Heringes said he had been communicating with his son once a week by phone or e-mail and that his spirits had been positive. David Heringes never spoke about his missions.

He was born in Cleveland and his family moved to Tampa when he was 15. He graduated from Leto High in 1989.

After high school, he worked as an auto mechanic. At age 20, he enlisted in the military, Ron Heringes said, and he planned to stay 20 years or more.

David Heringes became a paratrooper with the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was also a mechanic for the Army.

He served six weeks in Afghanistan during elections and two years in South Korea, Ron Heringes said.

He described his son as fearless and a "fun-loving father." He enjoyed working on motorcycles and cars, Rhone said.

In addition to his father and brother-in-law, he is survived by his wife, Shannan Heringes of Fayetteville, N.C.; a son, 5-year-old Logan Heringes, and a stepdaughter, 9-year-old Cheyenne Ward, both of Fayetteville; his mother, Joyce Heringes of Spring Hill; and his sister, Melissa Rhone, 27, of Wesley Chapel.

News Channel 8 reporter Natalie Shepherd contributed to this report.