5/17/13: R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, Spc. William J. Gilbert

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the death three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

            Killed were:

            Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga.

            Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., and

            Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., both assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

            For more information pertaining to Sgt 1st Class Baker media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at 912-210-9375.

            For more information pertaining to Spc. Daehling and Spc. Gilbert media may contact the Fort Bliss public affairs office at 915-472-0287.

---

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, of Hesperia, Calif., assigned to 766th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Stewart, Ga. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Baker joined the Army in October 2004. He was on his second deployment. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, both posthumous.
 
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Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Will was a student/athlete at La Serna High School where he graduated in 2007. He was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team for four years and also played football. Spc Gilbert was an Infantryman who entered the Army from Los Angeles, August 2010. He received Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived at Fort Bliss, his first permanent duty station, in January 2011. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his spouse. This was his first combat tour.

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Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, Mass., assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Spc Daehling was an Infantryman who entered the Army from Boston, September 2010. He received Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived at Fort Bliss, his first duty station, in January 2011. Daehling’ awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal. He is survived by his spouse. This was his first combat tour.

Related articles

• RIP SFC Jeffrey C Baker, SPC Mitchell K Daehling, SPC William J Gilbert (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey C. Baker, 29, Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24,Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)
• http://freedomremembered.com/

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R.I.P. - Pfc. Brandon L. Buttry

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. Brandon L. Buttry, 19, of Shenandoah, Iowa, died Nov. 5, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. 

            Buttry was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the 7th Infantry Division public affairs office at 253-477-5746 or 253-477-0174.  If after duty hours, media may call 253-477-5543 and ask for the 7th Infantry Division public affairs officer.

---

from wfcourier:

SHENANDOAH, Iowa  --- A U.S. Army soldier from Iowa was killed in Afghanistan, his family said Monday.

 Pfc. Brandon Buttry, 19, of Shenandoah, was killed while manning a watch tower, his uncle, Steve Buttry, of Hendon, Va., said. He said it's unclear when his nephew was killed and he did not have more details. His parents, Don and Pam Buttry, of Shenandoah, were notified early Monday, Steve Buttry said.

He said they were told there were "multiple casualties" but had no other information.

The Department of Defense had not confirmed Brandon Buttry's death.

Buttry was one of 14 children, his uncle said. Don and Pam Buttry, had three biological children (former Wartburg track star Missy Buttry Rock is his older sister), then 11 adopted. Brandon is second-oldest of the adopted kids, one of three 19-year-olds in the family, Steve Buttry said.

Steve Buttry is the former editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

"He enlisted before he turned 19, but he couldn't actually join until his 19th birthday. I remember him counting down the days on Facebook," Steve Buttry said.

Brandon Buttry completed basic training in May at Fort Benning, Ga., and was transferred to Fort Lewis in Washington state with the 123rd Infantry Regiment, Steve Buttry said. He was deployed to Afghanistan in August.

"He wasn't allowed to tell his parents where he was stationed in Afghanistan. I presume we'll find that out shortly."

Steve Buttry said his nephew was outgoing and they chatted at family gatherings and on Facebook when he was in Afghanistan.

"I'd get a little `what's up' message on my Facebook and we'd chat. It would be a sentence or two back and forth and I'd tell him to stay safe. Obviously in Afghanistan, you can't do that."

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• Iowa Soldier Killed in Afghanistan, Uncle Says (kcrg.com)
• FALLEN SOLDIER: Iowan Killed In Afghanistan (whotv.com)

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Robert J. Billings

DOD Identifies Army Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Robert J. Billings, 30, of Clarksville, Va., died Oct. 13, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information the media may contact the 7th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office by calling 253-477-5746 or 253-477-0174.  After duty hours, call 253-477-5543, and ask for the 7th Infantry Division public affairs officer on call.

---

from The Suburban Times:

According to unit records, Sgt. Billings entered the Army in January 2006 and reported to Fort Benning, Ga. for Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training MOS 11B (Infantryman). Upon graduation from AIT he was assigned to Fort Carson, Colo. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in June 2009 and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He deployed with 4th Stryker Brigade to Iraq from September 2009 – August 2010. Sgt. Billings was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in January 2011. He deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Stryker Brigade in December 2011. This was his second deployment.

Sgt. Billings’ civilian and military education includes High School Diploma (2001), Associates in Arts, Criminal Justice (2012), Field Sanitation Team Certification (2011), Unit Prevention Leader (2011), Airload Planner (2011), Warrior Leader Course (2010), Combatives Level 1 (2010), Combat Life Savers Course (2009), Force XXI Battle Command Brigade (2007), Military Occupational Specialty: 11B- Infantryman (2006).

His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (two awards), NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Combat Infantry Badge.

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• RIP SGT Robert J Billings (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
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Read More

R.I.P. - Sgt. Thomas R. Macpherson

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

             The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

             Sgt. Thomas R. Macpherson, 26, of Long Beach, Calif., died Oct. 12, in Andar District, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations.  He was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

             For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 75th Ranger Regiment public affairs office at 706-545-8407 or 706-570-5091.

---

 from presstelegram

By Nick Green, Staff Writer

Posted:   10/14/2012 11:49:22 AM PDT

Updated:   10/14/2012 12:30:16 PM PDT

A 26-year-old Long Beach native and married father of one was killed in a heavy firefight in Afghanistan as he led an assault against an enemy position, U.S. Army officials said Sunday.
Sgt. Thomas R. MacPherson, a graduate of Los Alamitos High School, was killed by small arms fire in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
MacPherson "selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army's premier direct action raid force," Army officials said.
"Sgt. Tom MacPherson lost his life courageously leading his Rangers into a close quarters fight with the enemy," Lt. Col. Gregory Anderson, Commander of 2 nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment, said in a statement. "Tommy MacPherson never backed away from the dangers of combat, and his warrior spirit, personal example, and zeal for life continue to inspire all who knew him. "We will honor his service to our nation and the heroic example he set for all Rangers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the MacPherson family."
MacPherson is survived by his wife, Claudia MacPherson, and their son, Brayden, of Tacoma, Wash., and his parents, Troy and Diona MacPherson of Long Beach.
MacPherson was a team leader assigned to Company D, 2 nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. This was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan and he had also previously served one deployment in Iraq.
"Sgt. Thomas MacPherson personified the traits of the consummate Ranger: commitment and courage," Col. Mark W. Odom, commander of the 75 th Ranger Regiment, said in a statement. "He deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq multiple times and always seemed to be at the critical points on the battlefield."
MacPherson was born July 20, 1986, in Long Beach.
He enlisted in the Army in May 2007 and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga.
After graduating from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program he initially served as a mortarman with the 75 th Ranger Regiment. After three years, he was assigned to Company D where he served as a fire team leader.
His military education included the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Warrior Leader Course.
His awards and decorations included the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge.
MacPherson has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service and Purple Heart.

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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar

DOD Identifies Army Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar, 24, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died July 14, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire.

            Hammar was assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072.

---

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Mourning the Loss of Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar

 

             

              “Please join me today in honoring the sacrifice of a brave Arizona serviceman. United States Army Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, died July 14, 2012, due to injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol came under enemy small arms fire. Staff Sgt. Hammar, 24, was deployed to the Khost province of Afghanistan, where he was serving our Nation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

              “Staff Sgt. Hammar was a member of the 1^st Battalion, 501^st Infantry Regiment, 4^th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25^th Infantry Division, and assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, located near Anchorage, Alaska.

 

              “This is a day to offer our condolences, prayers and due respect for Staff Sgt. Hammar and the family he leaves behind. Please also pray for his fellow soldiers, as well as for all of the men and women who nobly serve our country as part of the United States Military.

 

              “The depth of their sacrifice is too often taken for granted until we learn of a tragedy such as this. Today is a stark reminder to honor their service and never stop praying for their safety.

 

              “In honor of Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar, I have ordered that flags at all State buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset today, July 17, 2012. I also will request that flags be lowered from sunrise until sunset on the day of his interment, for which services are pending.”

 ------

from azfamily,
by Catherine Holland
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 7:42 AM
Updated today at 12:15 PM

PHOENIX -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Carl Eric Hammar of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died July 14, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was on a dismounted patrol at the time of the attack.

Hammar was assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

According to Hammar's Facebook page, the 24-year-old graduated from Lake Havasu High School in 2005. He joined the Army that December and went on to graduate from basic training, advanced individual training and the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga.

Hammar, a paratrooper, then served as an infantryman at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He had been at JBER since September. He and his 3,500-soldier brigade deployed to Afghanistan in December.

Prior to his arrival at JBER, where he served as a squad leader, Hammer served two tours of duty in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His first tour was January 2007 to March 2008. He returned August 2009 to July 2010.

Hammar's next of kind have been notified. A memorial for Hammar will be held at JBER, but the date has not been set.

Armed forces from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

According to iCasualties.org, nearly 2,000 servicemen from all branches of the military have been killed in and around Afghanistan since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 40 of those were from Arizona. Another 268 Arizonans have been wounded while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lake Havasu City is about 200 miles (about 3.5 hours by car) northwest of Phoenix, along the Arizona-California border.

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R.I.P. - Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale

FORT BRAGG, N.C., July 1, 2012 - The soldier who was shot and killed here June 28 has been identified as Army Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale, commander of the 525th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, according to installation officials.

Tisdale, 42, of Alvin, Texas, was shot by a member of his battalion during a safety briefing near the unit's headquarters in the historic district of Fort Bragg around 3:30 p.m., officials said.

Tisdale was killed immediately, officials said, and the assailant reportedly turned the weapon upon himself, causing life-threatening injuries.

Special agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Command are conducting an investigation of the shooting, officials said.

Tisdale graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 and was commissioned as an infantry officer. He took command of the battalion in January 2012 when the battalion was activated.
Tisdale's previous assignments include 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Brigade and 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Ga.; 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment and the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.; and 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, and the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Military Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and Senior Parachutist Badge.

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Fort Bragg soldier who shot commander dies
By GREG BARNES
The Fayettville (N.C.) Observer
Published: July 1, 2012

The soldier who fatally shot his superior officer during a safety briefing on Fort Bragg and then turned the gun on himself has died.

Col. Kevin Arata, a Fort Bragg spokesman, identified the soldier as Spc. Ricky G. Elder, 27, of Hutchinson, Kan. Elder died Saturday at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Elder is accused of fatally shooting his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale, during a safety briefing Thursday.

A third soldier, 22-year-old Spc. Michael E. Latham, was treated for minor wounds at Womack Army Medical Center and released.
read more here

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Read More

R.I.P. - Pfc. Nathan T. Davis

DOD Identifies Army Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. Nathan T. Davis, 20, Yucaipa, Calif., died June 9, in Tore Obeh, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

            Davis was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-1542.

---

A Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson paratrooper died Saturday from injuries he sustained in Afghanistanwhen his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. Three other soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

U.S. ArmyAlaska spokesperson Lt. Col. Bill Coppernoll says Pfc. Nathan Tyler Davis, 20, was driving a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle that was hit in the city of Tore Obeh, in Afghanistan’s Khowst province.

Davis, of Yucaipa, Calif., served as an infantryman with the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

Davis joined the Army in 2010 and completed basic training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga. before arriving in Alaska in February 2011. Afghanistan was his first deployment.

The names of the injured soldiers were not released, in accordance with Department of Defense policy.

Davis’s next of kin have been notified.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska, 2011 – Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Silvernale,
platoon sergeant, uses the combat net radio from Pvt. Nathan Davis, left, May 12,
both are of the Comanche Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne).
The Soldiers took part in air assault training where UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters took
them into a section of Alaska’s Chugach Range
and they were tasked with engaging an opposing force.

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R.I.P. - Pfc. Vincent J. Ellis

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. Vincent J. Ellis, 22, of Tokyo, Japan, died June 4, in Landstuhl, Germany, from wounds suffered June 1, on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with improvised explosive devices and small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

            For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-1542.

---

from ktuu.com:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska-based soldier from Japan has died from wounds he received in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson Lt. Col. Bill Coppernoll confirmed Thursday that Pfc. Vincent J. Ellis died Monday in Germany.

Ellis, an airborne cavalry scout, was wounded last Friday when his unit was attacked by insurgents using improvised explosive devices and small arms fire at Forward Operating Base Salerno, in Afghanistan's Khost province.

The 22-year-old from Tokyo was stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, and assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He attended basic training and the Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. last year before being assigned to JBER, and was on his first combat deployment.

Ellis's next of kin have been notified.

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Read More

R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza, 28, of El Paso, Texas, died May 25 in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

            For more information please contact 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office at 915-203-3769.

---

from kfoxtv.com:

FORT BLISS, Texas — The Department of Defense announced the death of a Fort Bliss soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza, 28, of El Paso, died May 25 in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan. The department said enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire. 

Loeza was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. 

“1st Armored Division and Team Bliss lost an outstanding Soldier this past weekend; we are keeping Staff Sgt. Loeza’s Family, friends and fellow Soldiers in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," stated Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, commanding general, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss.  "Keep all of our Servicemembers in your prayers and remember freedom is definitely not free," he added.

Loeza, was an Infantryman (MOS 11B) who entered the Army in June 2002.  He was previously stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Bragg, NC, and Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion.  His military education includes Airborne, Combat Lifesaver’s Course, Warrior Leader Course, Army Recruiter, Advance Leader Course, Combatives Level II, Airload Planners, Unit Movement Officers Course, and the Air Assault Course.

Eden’s awards and decorations include the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal with two Awards, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, six Certificates of Achievement, US Army Basic Recruiter Badge-Silver with three Gold Achievement Stars, US Army Basic Recruiter Badge-Gold with three Sapphire Achievement Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge-Driver for Wheeled Vehicles, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge-Expert with Rifle.

 He is survived by his wife and two children.

A memorial ceremony in honor of this fallen Soldier will be coordinated and announced at a later date.

Read More

R.I.P. - Spc. Samuel T. Watts

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Spc. Samuel T. Watts, 20, of Wheaton, Ill., died May 19, in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained April 25, in Zharay, Afghanistan, when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

            Watts was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs at 910-432-0661/0662 or 910-587-0217.

---

from Chicago Tribune:

By Melissa Jenco

Even as a freshman at Wheaton North High School, Samuel Watts had his heart set on joining the military.

"He just wanted to serve," said his guidance counselor, Wendy Biggs. "He was just really proud of our country. He just wanted to help people, and that was the way he felt he could best help."

Army Spc. Samuel Watts, 20, died Saturday, May 19, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, nearly a month after being injured by an improvised explosive device during his first deployment to Afghanistan, according to the public affairs office of the 82nd Airborne Division.
"Sam was a guy you wanted on your team; he was a fighter," Capt. Mike Kelvington, Bravo Company commander with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment said in a written statement. "From being an expert on the M240 range with his assigned weapon to defying the odds when all the doctors said he shouldn't have lived this long, he fought all the way to the end."

Spc. Watts' work ethic and character were evident to Scott Lilly when Lilly coached the teen on the Wheaton North freshman volleyball team.

"Nothing ever bothered him," Lilly said. "He was just great to have around because everybody seemed to like him."

Later in high school, Spc. Watts attended the fire science and paramedic program at the Technology Center of DuPage, according to Biggs.

He joined the Army in July 2010, shortly after high school graduation, and attended airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., before being deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division
In the Zhari district of Kandahar province, Spc. Watts was injured April 25 by an IED blast, the Army said.

Spc. Watts was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, among other ribbons and badges, for his service, the Army said.

"This was a kid who was going to serve his country, and no matter what he did, whether paramedic or fireman, he was going to be a good adult and he would have been a good neighbor — somebody you wanted to have in your community," Biggs said.

Information on family and services was not immediately available.

Read More

R.I.P. - Sgt. Tanner S. Higgins

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Tanner S. Higgins, 23, of Yantis, Texas, died Apr. 14 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

            For more information please contact 75th Ranger Regiment public affairs office at 706-545-4260 or 706-604-5114.

---
Officials said he was on his third deployment to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror. He deployed to Iraq once.

Higgins enlisted in the Army in 2007, straight out of high school. He was trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he also graduated from the Basic Airborne Course and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.

Higgins was assigned to his company in July 2008 and had since served as a rifleman, grenadier, automatic rifleman, gun team leader and a Ranger team leader.

His military education included the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course, U.S. Army Sniper School, and he was a Warrior Leader Course Distinguished Leadership Awardee.

Awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge.

Higgins has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart.

Higgins is survived by his wife Shelby Lynn Higgins of Savannah, Georgia, his father Danny R. Higgins of Hurst, Texas, and his mother Patti D. Sells of Tybee Island, Georgia.

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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Smith

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Smith, 24, of Licking, Mo., died April 3, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

            Smith was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661.

---
 FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper was fatally wounded April 3 in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan in an explosion from an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. Tyler J. Smith, a Licking, Mo. native, was a Scout Squad Leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Sgt. Smith joined the Army May 26, 2006 as an Infantryman. He attended One-Station Unit Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. He joined the 2-508th PIR October 16, 2009. He is a graduate of the Recon and Surveillance Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course and the Combat Lifesavers Course. He had deployed in June 2007 to Iraq for 15 months. He also deployed to Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion in 2009. This was his second tour of Afghanistan.

“I first met Sgt. Smith when he was a young sniper in the Arghandab River Valley” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Mason, HHC 1st Sgt., “cool as a cucumber he exuded a restrained confidence that put the men around him at ease. The men knew well that Sgt. Smith was more than capable of ensuring their well-being while he stood watch in dangerous lands. This is a rare quality; he will be terribly missed and never forgotten.”

“Sgt. Smith and his wife were the picture-perfect All American Team,” said Col. Brian Mennes, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Commander.” He was a great Trooper and Leader who volunteered to serve his nation and his patriotic wife selflessly and patriotically volunteered to serve as a key leader on our Family Readiness Group. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve with him.”

His peers regarded him as a devoted family man, comedian and recalled that he was without question the hardest working, and trustworthy soul they ever meet.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

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R.I.P. - 1st Lt. David A. Johnson

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            1st Lt. David A. Johnson, 24, of Horicon, Wis., died Jan. 25, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device while conducting a dismounted patrol.

            Johnson was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information media may contact Joint Base Lewis-McChord public affairs office at 253-967-0152 or 253-967-0148.

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According to unit records, Johnson was commissioned in 2010 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and he is a graduate of Evangel University, Springfield, Mo.  In 2011 he attended the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Ga.  He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August 2011, and was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.  The unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December.  This was 1st Lt. Johnson’s first deployment.

Johnson’s civilian and military education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Evangel University (2010), Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (2011), Combatives level 1 and 2 (2011), and the Stryker Brigade Combat Team Leaders Course (2011).
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Overseas Service Bar.
On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of 1st Lt. Johnson.

Family Statement:

Andrew and Laura Johnson and their children Michael, Matthew and Emily would like to honor their son and brother David with the following official statement:

“We are very proud of our son. He is a hero. He first was a man of God. He has been a strong leader at Mayville High School, at Evangel University and to the men in his unit. David had no fear of adversity; he lived life to the fullest. There are no regrets. He is an American hero. We love him very much and miss him very much.”

Part of a letter from Lt. Col. (Ret) Kirby A. Hanson, who was David’s ROTC Commander in Springfield.

“David was an outstanding cadet in every aspect of military training…He was destined to serve in the Infantry and I was certain he would excel…Aside from the Army life, David was a kind, well mannered, fun young man.”

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