Alex’s story
Oregon bull elk
This gorgeous bull was taken this month by an awesome kid named Alex. Although C.O.C.O. takes mostly kiddos suffering from terminal illnesses, we work hard to accommodate children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. We received this story about our buddy Alex…
Alex is the Gold Star Son of Captain James D. Nehl who was Killed in Action on 9 November 2012 in Ghazni Province Afghanistan.
James entered service in 1994 after living and growing up in Reedsport Oregon. James entered service as a Mortarman with an initial assignment to 2d Battalion, 75 Ranger Regiment. He quickly earned his slot for Ranger School and earned his Ranger Tab. He made rank quickly which culminated in 2d Ranger Battalion as a Rifle Squad Leader where he served alongside his Brother-In-law, Daryl Thies in the same platoon. In the late 90s, James transferred to Fort Richardson, Alaska to be closer to his mother, Sandy Nehl, who lived in Cordova Alaska and worked for the Alaskan Department of Fish and Wildlife field office. During his time there, he completed his bachelor's degree and submitted his Green to Gold packet.
His packet was accepted, and he was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. While in the Officer Candidate School (OCS), James met his wife and mother of Alex, Sherri Winkleman. Upon completion of their Officer Basic Courses, they both were assigned to Fort Wainwright Alaska. There James conducted his initial yearlong deployment to Afghanistan as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in a Stryker Company. A year after redeployment. Alex was born. Soon thereafter, James, Sherri, and Alex were reassigned to Fort Benning where James completed his Captains Career Course and then assigned to 2/16 Infantry, Fort Riley Kansas where he immediately deployed to Afghanistan. Initially serving as the Assistant Operations Officer, James assumed command of B Company while deployed. On 9 November 2012, James was killed in Action attempting to rescue another wounded Soldier when his team was engaged by lethal and direct enemy fire. James was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Throughout his life, James was an avid outdoorsman. He and his brother in law, Daryl Thies, were friends growing up in Reedsport and best friends while serving in the Army together. They spent most of their free time hunting and fishing in the outdoors. After James gave his life, Sherri and Alex moved from Kansas to Tumwater Washington, and James' mother moved from Cordova Alaska to Yelm Washington to be closer to the family.
At age 3, Alex was introduced to the outdoors by his uncle, Daryl. Starting with trout fishing, Alex has enjoyed the pleasures of fishing in the great Northwest, catching Trout, Salmon, Halibut, and other game fish. At age 5, Alex was introduced to shooting sports, and at age 9 earned his Washington State Hunters Education Certification. Since then, he has become an avid marksman, spending many hours on the range with his uncle where he has learned to shoot consistently out to 600 yards. This was proofed in 2021, where Alex took a Mule Deer in Washington at 450 yards. Alex is the incarnate of his father. His love for family, his kind heart and soft-spoken demeanor represent his character. Alex is a straight "A" student in school, plays the piano, viola, and guitar. He competes competitively in mountain bike endurance races and plays soccer for the Black Hills Team 9 months out of the year. Amongst these activities, Alex, who turned twelve years old in 2022, lives for the fall where he gets to hunt.
Alex's Uncle and mentor is Daryl Thies. Daryl is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major who spent 23 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment retiring as the CSM for 2d Battalion, 75 Ranger Regiment. Daryl deployed over 72 months during his service to Afghanistan, Iraq, Horn of Africa, and Haiti. Daryl was awarded multiple bronze star medals, a valor award, and a Purple Heart amongst other service and achievement awards and medals. Daryl is an avid outdoorsman who spends most of his free time fishing and hunting.
Congratulations on your awesome Oregon bull Alex!
Disclaimer: due to lack of funding and access to tags, we are not always able to pull off hunts for kids who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Please still contact us if you know of a child who fits this description and we will do our best to facilitate the hunt.
