Monday, August 6, 2012

R.I.P. - 1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

                The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

                They died Aug. 2, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when they encountered an enemy improvised explosive device.  These Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

                Killed were:

                                1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, 37, of Tyler, Texas, and

                                Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton, 26, of Largo, Fla.

                For more information pertaining to this release, contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661 or 910-813-3891.

---

from kltv:
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 11:34 PM Updated: Aug 05, 2012 11:34 PM
By Brett Collar

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Two 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers were killed in

action Thursday by an improvised explosive device during dismounted

operations in Zharay District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.



     1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, 37, of Tyler, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Matthew

S. Sitton
, 26, of Largo, Fla., were Paratroopers assigned to Headquarters

and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment,

4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.



Sgt. Russell R. Bell
     1st Sgt. Bell joined the Army on January 24, 1996 as an Infantryman,

attending One Station Unit Training and U.S. Army Airborne School at Ft.

Benning, Ga. before reporting to Camp Casey, Korea for his first assignment.

After spending a year in Korea, 1st Sgt. Bell reported to Fort Bragg where

he served at various levels in 1st Bn., 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment

for more than five years and then transitioned to his drill sergeant duties

at Fort Jackson, S.C.  Following his tour at Fort Jackson, 1st Sgt. Bell

returned to the airborne community with the 508th PIR in Italy and

subsequently returned to Fort Bragg where he served as a 1st Sgt. for more

than three years in two different units, most recently with HHC, 1st Bn.,

508th PIR.  This was his fourth combat deployment to Afghanistan over the

course of seven years.



     "1st Sgt. Russell Bell was one of the best all around leaders I have

had the privilege of serving alongside in over 18 years of military

service." said Lt. Col. Ced Carrington, 1-508th Battalion Commander. "His

presence alone made each day brighter.  He constantly shared stories that

put smiles on Troopers' faces.  He always looked for opportunities to make

those around him laugh - particularly during tough situations.  1st Sgt.

Bell made a difference every day and all who worked anywhere near him were

immediately drawn to his personality."



     1st Sgt. Bell's training and accomplishments include Airborne School,

Air Assault School, Warrior's Leader Course, Advanced Leader's Course, Drill

Sergeant School, Jumpmaster School, U.S. Army Ranger Course and the Senior

Leader's Course.



     His awards include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters,

the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army

Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal

with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with five bronze

knots, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal

with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,

the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal,

the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Medal with two oak leaf

clusters, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with the

numeral three, the NATO medal, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the

Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the

Master Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
---


Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton
     Staff Sgt. Sitton joined the Army on March 2, 2006 as an Infantryman,

attending Basic Training and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga. and joined

4th Brigade in August 2007.  This was his second combat deployment to

Afghanistan.



     His battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ced Carrington regarded him as "One

of the battalion's most proficient and well-trained Leaders.  The bond he

developed with his team serves as a testament to how much he was loved and

respected by the Troopers who served beside him.  His no-nonsense approach

towards accomplishing tough tasks was commendable.  There was no task that

he could not accomplish."



     Staff Sgt. Sitton's accomplishments and training include Airborne

School, Long Range Reconnaissance Course, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army

Sniper School, Warrior's Leader Course and Advanced Leader's Course.



     His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army

Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal,

the Army Good Conduct Medal with one knot, the National Defense Service

Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a campaign star, the Global War

on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon

with the numeral two, the NATO medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert

Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.



     The 4th Brigade Command Team, Col. Brian Mennes and Command Sgt. Maj.

William Forro shared this statement "1st Sgt. Bell and Staff Sgt. Sitton are

American Patriots who were part of an initiative to remove the Taliban

influence on a key sub-district in Zharay, the Nation's main effort.  They

significantly contributed to the accomplishments of this righteous endeavor

and we are indebted to them and their families for their sacrifices."
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1 comments:

1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell was my nephew. The whole family is very proud of him, he represented this country with pride and gave his young life for it. May Yahweh our heavenly father bless his soul.

Aunt Joyce
Ohio

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