casualties

November 2016 Casualties

by

We would like to Honor the memory of these men who lost their lives last month, and Remember them each specifically by name.   Please pray for these families as they begin their journey of healing through this unimaginable devastation.

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Capt. Andrew D. Byers, 30, of Rolesville, NC, died Nov. 3 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while engaging enemy forces. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO.

Sgt. 1st Class Ryan A. Gloyer, 34, of Greenville, PA, died Nov. 3 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while engaging enemy forces. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO.

Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, of Lawrence, KS, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, 30, of Tucson, AZ, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY.

Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27, of Kerrville, TX, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Ronald L. Murray Jr., of Bowie, MD, died Nov. 10, in Kuwait in a non-combat related incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX.

Sgt. John W. Perry, 30, of Stockton, CA, died Nov. 12 of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Pfc. Tyler R. Iubelt, 20, of Tamaroa, IL, died Nov. 12 of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, VA, died Nov. 24 in northern Syria, of wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, which is based in Virginia Beach, VA.

September 2016 Casualties

by

We would like to Honor the memory of these men who lost their lives last month, and Remember them each specifically by name. Please pray for these families as they begin their journey of healing through this unimaginable devastation.

September 2016 Heroes

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

1st Lt. Jeffrey D. Cooper, 25, of Mill Creek, Washington, died Sept. 10 in Kuwait, from a non-combat-related injury. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Campbell, KY.

Warrant Officer Travis R. Tamayo, 32, of Brownsville, Texas, died Sept. 16 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in a non-combat-related incident. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Devon M. Faulkner, 24, of North Carolina, died Sept. 20 of a non-combat-related injury while underway. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Odyssey Lightning. He was assigned to USS Wasp (LHD 1), forward deployed in the central Mediterranean Sea.

2016 Casualties

by

We would like to Honor the memory of these men and women who lost their lives this year, and Remember them each specifically by name. Please pray for these families as they begin their journey of healing through this unimaginable devastation.

December 2016 Hero

Sgt. First Class Allan E. Brown, 46, of Takoma Park, MD, died Dec. 6 at Walter Reed National Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan, that occurred on Nov. 12.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.   He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

November 2016 Heroes

Capt. Andrew D. Byers, 30, of Rolesville, NC, died Nov. 3 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while engaging enemy forces. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO.

Sgt. 1st Class Ryan A. Gloyer, 34, of Greenville, PA, died Nov. 3 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while engaging enemy forces. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO.

Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, of Lawrence, KS, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, 30, of Tucson, AZ, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY.

Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27, of Kerrville, TX, died Nov. 4 in Jafr, Jordan, of wounds sustained when their convoy came under fire entering a Jordanian military base. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. The soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Ronald L. Murray Jr., of Bowie, MD, died Nov. 10, in Kuwait in a non-combat related incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX.

Sgt. John W. Perry, 30, of Stockton, CA, died Nov. 12 of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Pfc. Tyler R. Iubelt, 20, of Tamaroa, IL, died Nov. 12 of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device in Bagram, Afghanistan. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, VA, died Nov. 24 in northern Syria, of wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, which is based in Virginia Beach, VA.

October 2016 Heroes

Staff Sgt. Adam S. Thomas, 31, of Tacoma Park, MD, died Oct. 4 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device that exploded during dismounted operations. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, CO.

Sgt. Douglas J. Riney, 26, of Fairview, IL, died Oct. 19 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds received from encountering hostile enemy forces. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to the Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Chief Petty Officer Jason C. Finan, 34, of Anaheim, CA, died Oct. 20 in northern Iraq, of wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three.

September 2016 Heroes

1st Lt. Jeffrey D. Cooper, 25, of Mill Creek, Washington, died Sept. 10 in Kuwait, from a non-combat-related injury. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Campbell, KY.

Warrant Officer Travis R. Tamayo, 32, of Brownsville, Texas, died Sept. 16 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in a non-combat-related incident. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Devon M. Faulkner, 24, of North Carolina, died Sept. 20 of a non-combat-related injury while underway. The incident is under investigation. He was supporting Operation Odyssey Lightning. He was assigned to USS Wasp (LHD 1), forward deployed in the central Mediterranean Sea.

August 2016 Heroes

Lt. Col. Flando E. Jackson, 45, of Lansing, Michigan, died Aug. 4 in Southwest Asia from a non-combat-related injury. The incident is under investigation.  He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.   He was assigned to the 194th Wing, Camp Murray, Washington National Guard, Washington.

Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Wilbur, 36, of Granite City, Illinois, died Aug. 12 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from a non-combat-related injury. The incident is under investigation.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in Fort Carson, Colorado.

Staff Sgt. Matthew V. Thompson, 28, of Irvine, California, died Aug. 23 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device that detonated near his patrol while conducting dismounted operations.  He who was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

July 2016 Hero

1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, of Miami, Florida, died July 18 in Southwest Asia from a non-combat-related injury.  She was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.   She was assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

June 2016 Hero

Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew J. Clement, 38, of Peabody, Massachusetts, died June 21 of a non-combat related injury while deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

May 2016 Heroes

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Charles H. Keating IV, 31, of San Diego, California,
1st Lt. David A. Bauders, of Seattle, Wash,
Gunner’s Mate Seaman Connor Alan McQuagge, 19, of Utah.

April 2016 Heroes

Airman First Class Nathaniel H. McDavitt, 22, of Glen Burnie, Maryland

March 2016 Heroes

Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, of Temecula, California
There were no DoD reported casualties in February

January 2016 Heroes

Staff Sgt. Matthew Q. McClintock, of Albuquerque, NM,
Maj. John D. Gerrie, 42, of Nickerson, KS,
Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, 41, from College Station, Texas,
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, from St. Louis, Missouri,
Capt. Steven R. Torbert, 29, from Florence, Alabama,
Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, from Gardners, Pennsylvania,
Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24, from Chaska, Minnesota,
Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, 22, from Woodruff, South Carolina,
Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, from Florala, Alabama,
Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, 23, from Spring, Texas,
Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, from Ft. Myers, Florida,
Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, from Hingham, Massachusetts,
Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, from Aumsville, Oregon.

January 2016 Casualties

by

We would like to Honor the memory of these men who lost their lives last month, and Remember them each specifically by name. Please pray for these families as they begin their journey of healing through this unimaginable devastation.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Q. McClintock, of Albuquerque, NM, died Jan. 5, 2016, in Marjah District, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Buckley, Washington.

Maj. John D. Gerrie, 42, of Nickerson, KS, died Jan. 16, in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from a non-combat related incident.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX.

Following are the names of the 12 Marines that were killed during training exercise in Hawaii:

Maj. Shawn M. Campbell served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Campbell, 41, from College Station, Texas, joined the Marine Corps Sept. 30, 1999.  His deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  Campbell’s decorations include the Air Medal with strike/flight device, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze stars in lieu of third award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars in lieu of third award.

Capt. Brian T. Kennedy served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Kennedy, 31, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined the Marine Corps July 1, 2003.  His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star in lieu of second award.

Capt. Kevin T. Roche served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Roche, 30, from St. Louis, Missouri, joined the Marine Corps Dec. 19, 2005. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom.  Roche‘s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star in lieu of second award.

Capt. Steven R. Torbert served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Torbert, 29, from Florence, Alabama, joined the Marine Corps Oct.14, 2004. Torbert‘s decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller served as a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Schoeller, 25, from Gardners, Pennsylvania, joined the Marine Corps March 23, 2008. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom. Schoeller‘s decorations include the Air Medal with one individual action device and five strike/flight devices, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star in lieu of second award, and the NATO Medal.

Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina served as a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Semolina, 24, from Chaska, Minnesota joined the Marine Corps Sept. 1, 2011.  Sergeant Semolina‘s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Sempler, 22, from Woodruff, South Carolina joined the Marine Corps Aug. 12, 2010.  Sempler’s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Sgt. William J. Turner served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Turner, 25, from Florala, Alabama, joined the Marine Corps Aug. 8, 2008. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom.
Turner’s decorations include the Air Medal with four strike/flight devices, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

Cpl. Matthew R. Drown served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Drown, 23, from Spring, Texas, joined the Marine Corps on March 2, 2011.  Drown’s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Jardas, 22, from Ft. Myers, Florida, joined the Marine Corps on May 6, 2011.  Jardas’ decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Orlando, 23, from Hingham, Massachusetts, joined the Marine Corps on Aug. 9, 2012.  Corporal Orlando’s decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Hart, 21, from Aumsville, Oregon, joined the Marine Corps Aug, 8 2012. Lance Corporal Hart’s decorations include the National Defense Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

December 2015 Casualties

by

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Cpl. Andrew A. Aimesbury, of Strafford, NH was killed in a live fire exercise on Dec. 9.  He was assigned to the Hunter Army Airfield-based 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Stewart, GA.

Staff Sgt. Michael A. Cinco, 28, of Mercedes, TX. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He died of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 11th Field Investigations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX.

Staff Sgt. Peter W. Taub, 30, of Philadelphia, PA. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He died of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 816, Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD.

Staff Sgt. Chester J. McBride, 30, of Statesboro, GA. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He died of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.

Technical Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm, 45, of Bronx, NY. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He died of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, NY.

Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bonacasa, 31, of Coram, NY. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He died of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, NY.

Maj. Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen, 36, of Plymouth, MN. died Dec. 21 while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  She died of wounds suffered when her patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  She was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 9th Field Investigations Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

November 2015 Casualties

by

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Pvt. Christopher J. Castaneda, of Fripp Island, South Carolina, died Nov. 19, on Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident.  Castaneda was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY.

Four Army aviators were killed when their UH-60 Black Hawk crashed on Nov. 23.

Sgt. 1st Class Toby A. Childers, 40, from Hays, KS

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen B. Cooley, 40, from Cantonment, FL

Sgt.1st Class Jason M. Smith, 35, from Destrehan, LA

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael F. Tharp, 40, from Katy, TX

The helicopter crashed in the northeast portion of the Fort Hood Range. All four crew members were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 291st Aviation Regiment, First Army Division West. The aircraft, assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, was on a routine training.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin M. Weiss, 32, of McHenry, IL and

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alex Caraballoleon, 35, of Patillas, Puerto Rico

were killed on Nov. 23 when their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in South Korea.  The accident happened about 50 miles east of Camp Humphreys.  They were assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade’s 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment and were on a routine training mission; the helicopter crashed in a mountainous area.

October 2015 casualties

by

Remembering these nine fallen heroes and the families they left behind.

Capt. Jonathan J. Golden, 33, of Camarillo, California.
Capt. Jordan B. Pierson, 28, of Abilene, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Hammond, 26, of Moundsville, West Virginia.
Senior Airman Quinn L. Johnson-Harris, 21, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, 29, of Pensacola, Florida.
Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, of McDonough, Georgia.
Maj. Phyllis J. Pelky, 45, of Rio Rancho, NM,
Master Sgt. Gregory T. Kuhse, 38, of Kalamazoo, MI,
Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 39, of Roland, OK,

September 2015 Casualties

by

September 2015 Heroes

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Lewis, 31, of Warrenton, VA, died 2 September, 2015 of injuries resulting from a ‘hard landing’ when the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to HMH-464, MAG-29, 2nd MAW, landed ‘harder and faster than normal’. The U.S. Marine was part of a Virginia-based anti-terror and security team training on the use of ropes to access difficult terrain, aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Lewis was assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) Company B, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment of Yorktown, VA.

SPC Kyle E. Gilbert, 24, of Buford, GA, died Sept. 21, in Bagram, Afghanistan, in a non-combat related incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.  The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY.

Seaman Philip Frazier Manes, 21, of Fairfax, Virginia, died Sept. 27, in Manama, Bahrain, of a non-combat related incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.  The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to USS Gladiator (MCM 11), forward deployed to Bahrain.

August 2015 Casualties

by

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Master Sgt. Peter A. McKenna Jr., 35, of Bristol, RI, died Aug. 8, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds when he was attacked by enemy small arms fire.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

Capt. Matthew D. Roland, 27, of Lexington, KY. died of wounds suffered Aug. 26 when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked near Camp Antonik, Afghanistan.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  Matthew was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL.

Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley, 31, of Pensacola, FL. died of wounds suffered Aug. 26 when the vehicle he was traveling in was attacked near Camp Antonik, Afghanistan.  He was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  Forrest was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, NC.

July 2015 Casualties

by

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

On July 16, 2015, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells, and Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt were murdered at a recruiting facility in Chattanooga, TN.

Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist – 25 years old

Sgt. Carson Holmquist grew up in Grantsburg, Wis., a hamlet of about 1,400, best known for its proximity to a wildlife reserve.  Holmquist’s decision to join the Marine Corps in 2009, a year after he graduated from Grantsburg High School, took him out of a tight-knit rural town and exposed him to the world, eventually placing him on the battlefield, as far away as Afghanistan and as close as Tennessee.

According to the Marine Corps, Holmquist, who was trained as an automotive technician, was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2013 to May 2014. It was his only overseas assignment as a Marine. Later, he was stationed in Chattanooga, where he helped train Marine reservists at the facility.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith – 26 years old

Randall Smith, a 26-year-old petty officer, was a married father of three girls.  Smith was from Paulding, Ohio. He was a former high school baseball star who had  enlisted in the Navy in 2010 and was a logistics specialist. For three years, he was assigned to the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship which has a home port in Norfolk.  He began his assignment in Chattanooga in August.

Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan – 40 years old

Known to family and friends as “Tommy,” Sullivan was a native of the Springfield, Mass. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan had made it home safely from two tours in Iraq — receiving two Purple Hearts.

He entered the service in 1997, served in Iraq in 2004-2005 and 2007-2008, and deployed in 2014-2015 to the Asia-Pacific region.  Sullivan received two Purple Hearts during a deployment from fall 2004 to spring 2005. The first came after a seven-ton truck he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device, causing bleeding from his ear. The second came after he was hit with shrapnel during a massive attack on the Abu Ghraib prison in April 2005.

He was recently assigned to a unit in Chattanooga, where he was responsible for coordinating training for reservists.

Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells – 21 years old

Lance Cpl. Squire K. “Skip” Wells had been a student at Georgia Southern University for nearly two years when he made a judgment call: He wanted to serve in the military, and he didn’t want to wait anymore.  Wells left college and joined the service last year, graduating from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. He became a field artillery cannoneer, a job that would have him shooting heavy artillery guns in a team of Marines.

He was in Chattanooga, Tenn., for two weeks of reserve training. His unit, Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, is based there.

Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt – 35 years old

Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt was a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a pillar of support to his comrades in those conflicts who came home with physical or emotional scars.

After Matt Bein was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2009, he turned to Wyatt for help in wrestling through what he should do with the rest of his life — leave the Marine Corps, or find some way to continue to serve despite his injuries.

“He was a mentor and a leader to a lot of guys,” said Bein, a former joint terminal attack controller who ultimately decided to accept a medical retirement as a sergeant.

He was married with two children, and an active-duty member of Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, an artillery unit based there.

Wyatt was a native of Russellville, Ark., and joined the Marines in May 2004.  He deployed to Afghanistan from October 2010 to May 2011, one of the most violent periods of the U.S. military campaign there. He previously served in Iraq from October 2007 to April 2008, and also spent time overseas on Navy ships.

June 2015 Casualties

by

We remember these selfless heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Pfc. Monterrious T. Daniel, 19, of Griffin, GA, died June 12 in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, in a non-combat related incident in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May, 38, of Chesterfield, Michigan, died June 29, on board USS Essex (LHD 2), of non-combat related causes while the ship was at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

April 2015 Casualties

by

April 2015 Heroes

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Spc. John M. Dawson, 22, of Whitinsville, MA, died April 8, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was attacked by small arms fire while he was on an escort mission. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

Tech. Sgt. Anthony E. Salazar, 40, of Hermosa Beach, CA, died April 13, at an air base in southwest Asia in a non-combat related incident. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to the 577th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, U.S. Air Forces Central Command.

November 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these recent heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Cathcart, 31, of Bay City, MI, died Nov. 14, in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, of wounds received from small arms fire while on dismounted combat operations.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner, 48, of Nanticoke, MD, died Nov. 24, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to Headquarters, United States Army Garrison, Fort Drum, NY.

Spc. Joseph W. Riley, 27, of Grove City, OH, died Nov. 24, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device.   He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

October 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Maj. Jonathan D. Walker, 44, of Merriam, KS, died Oct. 1, in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related incident at Camp As Sayliyah. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Cpl. Jordan L. Spears, 21, of Memphis, IN, was lost at sea Oct. 1 while conducting flight operations in the North Arabian Gulf.   He was assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA.

Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal, 19, of Riverside, CA, died Oct. 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, whose headquarters element deploys from Camp Pendleton, CA.

Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, CA, died Oct. 24, in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related incident at Al Udeid Air Base. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to Naval Amphibious Liaison Element, Combined Forces Air Component Center, U.S. Central Command.

September 2014 casualties

by

We remember this month these five heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Spc. Brian K. Arsenault, 28, of Northborough, MA, died Sept. 4, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

Sgt. Charles C. Strong, 28, of Suffolk, VA, died Sept. 15, in Herat Province, Afghanistan while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Maj. Michael J. Donahue, 41, of Columbus, OH, died Sept. 16, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an enemy attack.  He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC.

Stephen Byus, 39, of Reynoldsburg, OH, died Sept. 16, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an enemy attack.  He was a member of the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, OH, working as a supply specialist, and assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan while deployed.

Sgt. 1st Class Andrew T. Weathers, 30, of DeRidder, LA, died Sept. 30, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire Sept. 28, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

July 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these four heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villotcarrasco, 23, of Parma, OH, died as a result of a non-hostile incident June 19 aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.

Pfc. Donnell A. Hamilton, Jr., 20, of Kenosha, WI, died July 24, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from an illness sustained in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Prange, 30, of Hickman, NE, died July 24, in Mirugol Kalay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pfc. Keith M. Williams, 19, of Visalia, CA, died July 24, in Mirugol Kalay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the enemy attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

June 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these 12 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Capt. Jason B. Jones, 29, of Orwigsburg, PA, died June 2, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, of wounds received from small-arms. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

Pfc. Matthew H. Walker, 20, of Hillsboro, MO died June 5, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by enemy fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Terry J. Hurne, 34, of Merced, CA, died June 9, in Logar province, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY.

Staff Sgt. Scott R. Studenmund, 24, of Pasadena, California; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY.

Staff Sgt. Jason A. McDonald, 28, of Butler, GA; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Justin R. Helton, 25, of Beaver, OH; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 18th Ordnance Company, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Bragg, NC.

Cpl. Justin R. Clouse, 22, of Sprague, WA; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pvt. 2nd Class Aaron S. Toppen, 19, of Mokena, IL; died June 9, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered while engaged in a combat operation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Staff Sgt. David H. Stewart, 34, of Stafford, VA, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Cpl. Brandon J. Garabrant, 19, of Peterborough, NH, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Lance Cpl. Adam F. Wolff, 25, of Cedar Rapids, IA, died June 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer, 23, of New Braunfels, TX, died June 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.

May 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these five heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Pfc. Daniela Rojas, 19, of Los Angeles, California, died May 3, in Homburg, Germany, due to a non-combat related illness.  She was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Chief Warrant Officer Deric M. Rasmussen, 33, of Oceanside, CA, died May 11, in Mazar E Sharif, Afghanistan, as the result of a non-combat incident. He was assigned to the Company C, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, TX.

Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R Barreras, 49, of Tucson, AZ, died May 13, in San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from wounds suffered on May 6, in Harat Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX.

Spc Adrian M. Perkins, 19, of Pine Valley, California, died May 17, in Amman, Jordan, from a non-combat related injury.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

Pfc. Jacob H. Wykstra, 21, of Thornton, CO, died May 28, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained as a result of an aircraft accident. The incident is under investigation.  He was assigned 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO.

February 2014 Casualties

by

We remember these 7 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

PFC Joshua A. Gray, 21, of Van Lear, KY, died Feb. 10, in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.   He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY

SPC Christopher A. Landis, 27, of Independence, KY., died Feb. 10, on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from wounds received when the enemy attacked his dismounted patrol with a rocket propelled grenade in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

SPC John A. Pelham, 22, of Portland, OR, died Feb. 12 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was struck by enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

SFC Roberto C. Skelt, 41, of York, FL, died Feb. 12 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was struck by enemy small arms fire.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

Master Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, 36, of Paducah, KY, died Feb. 15, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC

Lance Cpl. Caleb L. Erickson, 20, of Waseca, MN, died Feb. 28, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC

Master Sgt. David L. Poirier, 52, of North Smithfield, RI, died Feb. 28, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.  He was assigned to the 157th Operations Support Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, NH

January 2014 Casualties

by

January 2014 Heroes

We remember these 7 heroes who gave their lives for freedoms cause and the families they left behind.

Sgt. Jacob M. Hess, 22, of Spokane, Wash.,
Sgt. First Class William K. Lacey, 38, of Laurel, Fla.,
Chief Warrant Officer Andrew L. McAdams, 27, of Cheyenne, WY,
Sgt. Drew M. Scobie, 25, of Kailua, Hawaii,
Sgt. Daniel T. Lee, 28, of Crossville, Tenn.,
Spc. Andrew H. Sipple, 22, of Cary, NC,
Chief Warrant Officer Edward Balli, 42, of Monterey, Calif.