Sergeant Timothy Mills didn't have high expectations when former National Guardsman Sgt. Michael Knapp was first assigned to his section in 2009 as a private first class.

But after working with him, Mills came to admire Knapp as one of the best Soldiers he has ever met or worked with.

With the addition of Sgt. Jabraun Knox soon after Knapp's arrival, Mills realized that this pair made an "amazing team," who both cared for the welfare of others before themselves.

"I found that between Sgt. Knapp and Sgt. Knox there was nothing they couldn't accomplish; no task was too small or too big," Mills said at their memorial service June 7. "They were ahead of the game 100 percent of the time."

Sergeants Michael Knapp and Jabraun Knox both died from injuries suffered during combat operations May 18 in Afghanistan. They served together in 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade.

While the two sergeants worked together, they were also close friends. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Roede, 1-377 FA commander, shared his fond memory of a photo of the two of them, in one of their homes, each holding his own child, born only 3 months apart.

"Their friendship is evident. Their joy in their Families is evident," Roede said.

Captain Ross Warren, their Bravo Battery commander, said in remarks sent from downrange, that it was an honor to have known and served with them.

"Sergeant Knox and Sgt. Knapp were two of the finest Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and above all men I've ever had the privilege of knowing. They were dedicated to Families, Soldiers and missions at hand," he wrote.

Warren remarked that each excelled at his profession and fatherhood - committed to both above all else. He commended them for keeping morale high among their fellow Soldiers by telling jokes, pulling pranks, mentoring them and disciplining, when necessary.

"The legacy they leave here is their Soldiers," Warren wrote. "The effect they had on Soldiers of platoon and battery will live on and we will all strive to live up to the example they set to honor their sacrifice."

In Memoriam

Sergeant Michael Knapp

Sergeant Michael Knapp was born Dec. 2, 1983 and grew up in Overland Park, Kan. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School.

He enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 2004 and deployed to Kosovo in 2005 and Iraq in 2006. He enlisted in the U.S. Army two weeks after leaving the National Guard.

He married his wife, Abby, in October 2008. Their daughter, Kinsley, was born August 1, 2011, nine weeks early and weighed 3 pounds, 6 ounces. He and his wife called her their "miracle baby." He watched Kinsley grow up over Skype after deploying with 1-377 FA in November 2011.

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (three awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal L/W M device (two awards), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic and Marksmanship Qualification Badge - Expert with Field Artillery.

Sergeant Jabraun Knox

Sergeant Jabraun Knox was born July 13, 1988 in Fort Wayne, Ind. and grew up in Auburn, Ind. He graduated from DeKalb High School in 2007. He won all-conference honors from the Northeast Hoosier Conference and first-team all-area recognition from KPC Media Group in football and baseball.

Knox enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2009. After completing Basic Training and AIT he was assigned to 1-377 FA at JBLM. He deployed with the unit in 2009 to Southern Iraq where he served as a gunner. He deployed with Bravo Battery 1-377 FA in November as a gunner on a M-777 Howitzer.

He married his wife Courtney Beerbower in November 2009. Their son, Braylon is 6 months old. She told Indiana's News Center that her husband was always willing to help others, particularly through laughter.

"His compassion for people was evident by his willingness to help people when in need," she said.

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (two awards), and Marksmanship Qualification Badge - Expert with Field Artillery.