Specialist Daniel Paul Unger, U.S. Army National Guard

Born in Mesquite, Texas to Marc & Lynda Unger on March 21, 1985. He was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the age of 19 years. Daniel moved to Exeter with his family at the age of three and grew up in Exeter where he received a Christian home school education through the eighth grade. He went on to EUHS where he played center field for four years on the Exeter Monarch Baseball team, graduating in June of 2003. With the help of his father, Daniel started Karate at age five and became a Junior Black Belt in 1996 learning from his dad and Grand Master Sam Price. Daniel was promoted to Fourth Degree Black Belt in December 2003.

Daniel received his license as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ in October 2002. Along with his Dad, Daniel was a frequent Platform Guest with Champions for Life (formerly, Bill Glass Evangelistic Association). Daniel participated in many Weekend of Champions prison ministries doing incredible Karate demonstrations and sharing his faith in Jesus Christ. Literally hundreds of inmates’ lives were changed as they received Jesus Christ through Daniel’s faithful witness. Daniel preached an average of once a month over the last two years and ministered at: Visalia and Caruthers Juvenile Boot camps, Fresno Juvenile Hall, Valley Teen Ranch, Santa Rita Jail as well Kansas prisons in Larned, Wichita and El Dorado. Daniel was a faithful member of Exeter Baptist Church and played bass in the church’s worship band.

Daniel joined the Army National Guard August 13, 2002, beginning Basic Training June 23, 2003 at Fort Benning, GA. He completed Advanced Infantry Training graduating October 10, 2003 and returned home, receiving his Operation Iraqi freedom orders shortly after. He continued his training at Fort Lewis, WA, Fort Irwin, CA and Camp New York in Kuwait. Daniel entered Iraq and was there about seven weeks before giving his life for the benefit of all, and received the Bronze Star, Purple heart, California Memorial Medal and the warrior’s Medal of Honor from the American Indian Tribes for his heroic and meritorious achievement against the armed enemy in battle. Daniel loved his God and His country.