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SGM (Ret) Bernhard “Bernie” W. Kaita, Sr., a resident of Boerne, Texas passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at his residence. He was 64 years old. Bernhard Kaita was born August 5, 1953 in Berlin, Germany to parents Army Specialist Five Masao Kaita from Honolulu, Hawaii and Rosemarie Kaita from Halle, Germany. Bernhard Kaita graduated from 71st High School in Fayetteville North Carolina and held employment with Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) of Fayetteville, North Carolina before entered military service in 1974 as a Radio Teletype Operator. His assignment locations include numerous units at Fort Bragg, NC, Zweibrucken Germany, and Fort Eustis, VA. He served honorably for over 22 years in some of the Army’s most elite units to include the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Special Forces, and several Army and Joint Service elite military organizations. He served as a Telecommunications Systems Supervisor and Senior Signal Sergeant while participating in numerous combat operations world-wide. He was a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Operations Course, Flight Training Preparation Course, Sniper Training Course, Basic Parachutist and Jumpmaster Course, Signal NCO Advance Course, Radio Frequency Management Course, Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course, and the Sergeant Major Academy culminating his military career at the rank of Sergeant Major until his retirement in 1996. His awards and decorations included the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 4), Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expedition Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), and Legion of Merit. His other awards included the Army Superior Unit Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd award), Valorous Unit Award (3rd award), rifle and pistol expert qualification badges, aircraft crewmember badge, senior aircraft crewmember badge, parachutist badge, senior parachutist badge, master parachutist badge and the Panama Campaign Medal. Bernhard Kaita culminated his military career at the rank of Sergeant Major until his retirement in 1996. Upon his military retirement, Bernhard also worked several years as a contractor for PhotoTelesis on specialized military contracts. He graduated from Saint Leo College University with a Bachelor’s Degree. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, good music, sports, and gatherings of family and friends. Above all else, Bernard’s life revolved around his beloved wife Deborah. Bernie will be remembered for the depth of his dedication, as a husband, a friend, a son, a brother and a Soldier. His charisma and natural humor and warmth made him an open friend, and his generosity of spirit enriched the lives of everyone he touched. His dedication to family and friends was only matched by his service to our country. SGM (Ret) Kaita was preceded in death by his parents Masao Kaita, Rosemarie V. Pinaula and step-father SFC (Ret) Sebastian C. Pinaula. Survivors include his wife, Deborah Kaita, son MSG Bernhard William Kaita Jr., daughter-in-law Heather Kaita, grandson Michael R. Wood, granddaughter Brianna E. Kaita, brother CW5 (Ret) Ronald B. Kaita, brother James S. Pinaula, brother Vincent L. Pinaula, brother MAJ (Ret) Anthony J. Pinaula, and brother David L. Pinaula. A viewing will be held on Monday, October 2, 2017 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive, San Antonio, Texas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2017. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cross Mountain Church, 24891 Boerne Stage Road, Boerne, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Bernhard’s memory may be made to donations to the Unit Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 73338, Fort Bragg North Carolina 28307, https://www.unitscholarshipfund.org/donate/index.html.

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SGM Bernhard W. Kaita, Sr. USA (Ret.)

August 5, 1953 - September 28, 2017