Kraig Vickers

Kraig Vickers, 36, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and formerly of Kokomo, Maui, passed away in Afghanistan while serving in the Navy. He was born August 11, 1974 in Kailua, Oahu. Kraig graduated from Maui High School in 1992. He joined the Navy in 1996 and was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist attached to a Navy Seal Team Unit, recently being promoted to Senior Chief. Senior Chief Kraig Vickers enlisted in the Navy on 12 June 1996 and reported to Naval Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois on 18 November 1996. On 28 January 1997 he completed his basic training and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida graduating from Photographers Mate "A" School three months later. On 1 July 1997, he entered Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training at Navy Dive and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida. After a year of the most physically and academically challenging school in the military, Senior Chief Vickers graduated as an EOD Diver on 25 Sept 1997 and then graduated from Navy School EOD as a Basic EOD Technician on 1 September 1998. He was assigned to his first permanent duty station at EOD Mobile Unit 5 Detachment Guam from 18 November 1998 to 2 July 2001, transferred to EOD Mobile Unit 8 Detachment Bahrain until 1 August 2002, and then transferred to EOD Mobile Unit 3 Detachment MIDPAC in Oahu, Hawaii from 21 August 2002 to 7 February 2005. On 15 February 2005, Senior Chief Vickers began rigorous selection and training with Naval Special Warfare Development Group, a special duty assignment. Eleven months after beginning this training process, Senior Chief Vickers was selected to be a Naval Special Warfare Development Group Operator. He reported to EOD Squadron and was assigned to Squadron Three where he completed numerous deployments around the world in support of the Global War on Terror. Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS/FPJ) Kraig Michael Kaleolani Vickers was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including (4) Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, (2) Purple Heart Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (3) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medals, (2) Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary) Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Combat Action Ribbon (Operation Enduring Freedom), National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Kraig is survived by his wife, Nani; daughter, Makahea; son, Kala'i; daughter, Malie; unborn baby girl; parents, Robert "Bob" Sr. and Mary; brothers, Robert "Rob" Jr., Mark (Leidele), Vance (Liana); sister, Michelle (Curt) Yarborough; maternal grandmother, Alice George; paternal grandmother, Agnes Daniluck; father and mother-in-law, George and Annette Flores, Jr.; nieces and nephews.

Services: Visitation will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center's Castle Theater, in Kahului. Services will begin at 10 a.m., and burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his wife and children at www.kraigvickers.com