01SEPT2005: Graduating and commissioning out of West Point in 2003, 1LT Derek Hines went through Field Artillery training and Ranger school before arriving at his unit, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in the fall of 2004. A few months later he deployed to Afghanistan where he would serve as a fire support officer. 1LT Hines was working to pacify a region of Zabul province in southern Afghanistan. In the area, hotly contested by Taliban fighters, Hines and his unit would alternate between meeting locals and setting up projects and fighting back enemy attacks at their outposts or while on patrol. After a few months, Hines became known for his willingness to run towards the sound of gunfire to help his brothers. On August 21, 2005 an improvised explosive device was detonated near one of his company's vehicles, killing all four Soldiers inside. Hines, risking his life, attempted to pull the Soldiers from the vehicle to no avail. A few days later, he and his unit learned the location of the enemy fighter responsible for that attack. Surrounding the suspected enemy fighter's home in the early morning hours of September 1st, Afghan and US forces called out and began discussing who would make the arrest. As expected, 1LT Derek Hines was at the front, helping to lead the assault. Just then, the Taliban fighter came out firing an assault rifle in all directions. He was immediately cut down but not before 1LT Derek Hines was hit and killed at the age of 24. Derek's leadership and example live on in many ways, one of which is the Derek Hines Unsung Hero award presented to an NCAA Division 1 hockey player each season.

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