R.I.P. - Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

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

            They died March 11, in Jalrez District, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when they were attacked by small arms fire.  Killed were:

            Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of South Miami, Fla.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

            Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

            For more information on Capt. Pedersen-Keel, media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) public affairs office at 910- 689-6187.

            For more information on Staff Sgt. Schad, media may contact the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield public affairs office at 912- 210-9375.

---

from WOTC:

SSgt. Rex Schad

HINESVILLE, GA (WTOC) - A Fort Stewart soldier was one of two killed March 11 in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla. and Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of South Miami, Fla. died in Jalrez District, Afghanistan, of injuries they suffered when they were attacked by small arms fire.

Schad was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. Pedersen-Keel was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

On Wednesday, Schad's family talked about the moment his mother found out about his death.

"She had the trunk opened on her car when they walked up and she fell over on the ground," said Harold Whipple, Schad's grandfather.

Wednesday at 11 a.m., Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, the commanding Regional Command South in Afghanistan, will be briefing the media on the current operations in Afghanistan.


---

from ctpost:

Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel

A soldier from Madison has been killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

Army Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, 28, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday. Governor Dannel P. Malloy today ordered U.S. and Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff to honor Pedersen-Keel.

"Captain Pedersen-Keel made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and our nation," Malloy said. "Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his unit during this very difficult time. We pray for a safe homecoming for our troops who are stationed around the world, and thank them for their bravery and service."

"This is a tragic and sad reminder that even as the conflict in Afghanistan is winding down there are still hundreds of Connecticut soldiers in harm's way," said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. "Captain Pedersen-Keel and every one of the other 63 brave men and women from our state lost in Afghanistan and Iraq died defending us and our freedom, and that sacrifice must never be forgotten."

Capt. Pedersen-Keel, 28, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was killed by a member of the Afghan National Police while conducting a patrol brief in the Jalrez District.

Flags will remain at half-staff until burial or memorial, Malloy's spokeswoman said.

Pedersen-Keel's parents got the news when military officials visited their Madison home on Monday.

"It is with deep regret and great sadness that we found out about Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, that he died in Afghanistan. ...it's very sad when something like this happens, especially sad when you have a local connection," said First Selectman Fillmore McPherson.

It is believed Pedersen-Keel was one of two American soldiers killed in a so-called insider attack. There are reports a person dressed as an Afghan Police Officer shot at U.S. and Afghan forces.

U.S. officials said have said two special forces soldiers were killed Monday when a policeman fired at people leaving a meeting at district police headquarters in Wardak province. The Pentagon has not released their names.

"It's always a tragedy when anyone dies. I think the expression is, `all gave some and some gave all,' and he certainly did. Very sad day," said Patrick Edenbun.

Pedersen-Keel graduated from Avon Old Farms School in 2002 and from the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2006. His parents moved to Madison a few years ago, WTNH reported.

On Tuesday, flags flew at half staff in Madison and nearby Guilford, where Pedersen-Keel's parents attend St. George's church. McPherson said the town of Madison "stands ready" to offer what honors or special services the family desires.

Related articles

Insider attack leaves 2 US troops, 3 Afghan police dead (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

• RIP CPT Andrew M Pedersen-Keel, SSG Rex L Schad (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)
• Fallen But Not Forgotten - Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of South Miami, Fla and Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla (thecommunicatorwv.wordpress.com)
• 
  

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R.I.P. - Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, 42, of Orange Park, Fla., died Oct. 23, in Chak District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on dismounted patrol during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N. C.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command public affairs office at 910-689-6147 or 910-908-3947.

---

A Fort Bragg soldier died Tuesday while he was on dismounted patrol in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday night.
Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, 42, of Orange Park, Fla., was killed by small-arms fire in the Chak district of the Wardak Province, officials said.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.
Duskin is the 39th soldier from Fort Bragg to die this year while serving in Afghanistan, and the fourth to die there this month. A fifth soldier, a member of the National Guard from Raeford, was killed there this month, as well.
No other information about Duskin or the circumstances of his death was available Wednesday night.

---
Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, 42, of Orange Park, Fla., died Oct. 23, in Chak District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on dismounted patrol during combat operations.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N. C.
Duskin enlisted as a forward observer in the U.S. Army in 1993.
After completion of his initial training, to include the U.S. Army Airborne School, he was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment. After serving three years with the 75th Ranger Regt., Duskin left active duty and later joined the Florida National Guard. He attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 1998. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 20th SFG (A) as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. In 2001, Duskin was mobilized to active duty and deployed with the 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG (A). After the deployment he returned to active duty and remained a member of the unit.
He served with the 2nd Bn. for more than five years, deploying four additional times, before being assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School as an instructor. While serving as an instructor, he attended the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification Course, graduating in May 2010. He was then assigned to the 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A) as an assistant detachment commander in Company A. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in that position.
His military education includes U.S. Army Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Jungle Operations Training Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Jumpmaster Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, and the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification Course .
Duskin's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded another Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Purple Heart Medal.
He is survived by his wife, three children, sister and parents.

Related articles

• Orange Park soldier killed in Afghanistan (jacksonville.com)

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R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard, 29, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Oct. 13, in Khanabad District, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N. C.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-432-6005.

---

from kpho:

Posted by Phil Benson

Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:00 PM 

Updated: Oct 15, 2012 12:27 AM

FORT BRAGG, NC (CBS5/AP) -

A soldier from Arizona and based at Fort Bragg has died from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations in Afghanistan.
The Defense Department said Sunday that 29-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard of Sierra Vista, AZ, died Saturday in Khanabad District, Afghanistan.
Savard was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.
Gov. Jan Brewer has ordered that flags at all State buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset Sunday.
Brewer issued this statement in the wake of his death:

"Please join me in saluting an American hero who gave his life in service to the United States. Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard, 29, of Sierra Vista, was killed Oct. 13, 2012, when he came under small arms fire while on patrol in Khanabad District, Afghanistan.

"Sgt. 1st Class Savard was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He had been assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and was based in Fort Bragg, NC.

"By now, we should need no reminder of the dangers our brave servicemen and women face while carrying out their duties. More than 2,000 American soldiers have been lost in the execution of Operation Enduring Freedom, launched in defense of this nation following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Our cause is noble and just, but the grief is no less staggering for the families and friends left behind when one of our own is killed in wartime. I ask that Arizonans join me in offering our sincere gratitude to Sgt. 1st Class Savard, and a prayer for his loved ones. Let us hold in our hearts the courageous men and women in uniform who remain in harm's way so that we can be safe and free."

Savard graduated in 2001 from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, AZ.
He first entered the U.S. Army as a Helicopter Repairer on Aug. 29, 2001, and after completion of Initial Entry Training he was assigned to Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation in Gieblstadt, Germany, where he served for two years as a UH-60 repairman. While assigned to the 159th Aviation, Savard deployed once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2004, Savard attended and graduated from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, Savard was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC, where he served as a Special Forces Company Assistant Operations Sergeant and a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
In 2008, Savard was assigned to Operations Detachment Group Support Battalion, 3rd SFG (A) where he served as a Senior Special Forces weapons sergeant. While assigned to 3rd SFG (A), Savard deployed three times to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard was assigned in May 2010 as a Special Operations Team member, U.S. Army Special Operations Command. For more than two years he performed this duty, deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard previously served one deployment to Iraq and this was his fifth deployment to Afghanistan.

Related articles

• RIP SFC Ryan J Savard (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
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R.I.P. - Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez

DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.          

            They died Oct. 6 in Chak district, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of gunshot wounds suffered while on dismounted patrol.

            Killed were:

            Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, 27, of Coral Springs, Fla., and

            Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez, 25, of Aberdeen, N.C.

            They were assigned to the 1st Special Forces Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, public affairs at 910-689-6187.

---

from thetimesnews:

FORT BRAGG — Two Special Forces soldiers from Fort Bragg were killed Saturday in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said.

Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, 27, of Coral Springs, Fla., and Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez, 25, of Aberdeen, were shot while on patrol in the Chak district of Wardak province, a statement released Sunday said. They were assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group's 1st Special Forces Battalion.

Shiro was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. He also served in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 2006.

Shiro's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), the Army Commendation Medal (2), the Army Achievement Medal (2), the Army Good Conduct Medal (2), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He is survived by his wife, three children and his parents.

Marquez was on his first overseas deployment. His military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

Staff Sgt. Justin C. Marquez

He is survived by his father, mother and brother.

By McClatchy News Service
Published: Monday, October 8, 2012 at 09:26 AM.

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• RIP WO Joseph L Schiro, SSG Justin C Maquez (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
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R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Riley G. Stephens

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

            Sgt. 1st Class Riley G. Stephens, 39, of Tolar, Texas, died Sept. 28, in Wardak, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire.

            Stephens was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information, media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

---

Fort Bragg, N.C. — A Fort Bragg soldier was killed in Afghanistan Friday, the military announced Sunday.
Sgt. 1st Class Riley G. Stephens, 39, of Tolar, Texas, died of wounds from enemy small-arms fire in Wardak, military officials said. Stephens served with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.

a video report from NBCNEWS:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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R.I.P. - Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent

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

            Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent, 38, of Norton, Mass., died Aug. 8 in Bethesda, Md., from wounds suffered July 31 in Baktabad, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

            Trent was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information please contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

---

from Bostonglobe:
By Zachary T. Sampson, Globe Correspondent
August 12, 2012
A US Army Special Forces sergeant from Norton died in Bethesda, Md., Wednesday from wounds he suffered in ­Afghanistan.

Master Sergeant Gregory R. Trent, 38, was injured on July 31 when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire, according to the Department of Defense. The agency said Trent was in the area of Shindand, ­Afghanistan, with Company B, Fourth Battalion, Third Special Forces Group (Airborne). The company is based out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

Trent had been deployed four times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and once for Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to a statement from the US Army Special Forces Command. He leaves his wife, a daughter, a brother, and his parents, according to the statement.

His family could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Trent enlisted in the Army as an artilleryman in August 1998, according to the Special Forces Command. He served as a howitzer section chief in Italy.

He later was deployed to ­Afghanistan and Iraq, and in 2006, Trent volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. He completed a qualification course in August 2009.

The Norton soldier most recently deployed to Afghanistan in January 2012. He was a ­Special Forces intelligence sergeant.

Trent received many accolades during his military career, according to the Special Forces Command, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and a Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Related articles

• RIP MSG Gregory R Trent (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Norton soldier dies of Afghan combat injuries (afghanistannews.net)

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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper

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

            Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper, 31, of York, Pa., died July 21, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.

            Pepper was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

---

from York Daily Record:

Soldier with York County ties dies in Afghanistan
By ED MAHON
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated:   07/24/2012 12:18:13 AM EDT
  

Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper, 31, of the York area died Saturday in the Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Derek Pepper described his late brother as a person who was great to be around, who lived by the warrior ethos, and who joined the military because he wanted to serve his country.

"He wanted to do something for a better cause," Derek Pepper, 25, said in a phone interview Monday evening.

His brother, Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, 31, was killed Saturday, in an insurgent attack while on patrol in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, according to news releases from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Brandon Pepper is the second soldier with York County ties to die in Afghanistan this month. Army Spc. Cameron Stambaugh, a 2010 Spring Grove Area High School graduate, died July 8 when a bomb exploded and killed him and five other U.S. troops, his family said.

Brandon Pepper was from the Baltimore area, but he lived in the York area for a few years, according to family. He was assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. He was a Special Forces communications sergeant.

This was Brandon Pepper's first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, according to a U.S. Army news release. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His mother, Geraldine, said her son gave his life "for our freedom."

Brandon Pepper graduated from Kenwood High School in Maryland in 1999 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in January 2000, according to the news release.

Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Md. where he served as an Intelligence Analyst and was deployed in March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the news release states.

The Department of Defense said Brandon Pepper entered active duty in 2008 and attended Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Squad Leader, the news release states.

In October 2009, Brandon Pepper graduated from the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He then completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2011 and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as an SF Communications Sergeant (18E), according to the news release.

He received numerous awards for his service. He will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, NATO medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, according to the news release.

Others in his family served in the military.

Derek Pepper said their late grandfathers served in the military. So did their father, John, who retired from the Army as a captain. Derek Pepper also serves in the Army with a Special Forces group.

Brandon Pepper's two other brothers are 34-year-old Nick Pepper and 28-year-old John Robert Pepper. Nick Pepper said his brother was always there when they needed him. He also loved karate and lacrosse, according to his family.

In an email Monday evening, John Robert Pepper said his brother made friends easily and was simply known as "Pepper" to many people he knew. He said his brother never had a problem sharing his views and was a very outgoing person.

"He always tried to have a good time and him not having a smile on his face was a rare occasion," John Robert Pepper said in an email. "...My brother was a unique individual and will be missed greatly by his family and friends."

In addition to his brothers and his parents, the U.S. Army said Brandon Pepper is survived by his spouse.

Awards and decorations for fallen soldier

The awards and decorations for Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, 31, include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with one oak-leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

He also will receive numerous awards posthumously.

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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston, Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr.

DOD Identifies Army Casualties
                 The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

                They died April 26, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

                Killed were:

                Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston, 29, of Candler, N.C., who was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

                Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr., 31, of Orange Park, Fla., who was assigned to 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Sembach, Germany.

                For more information related to Staff Sgt. Eggleston, the media may contact Special Forces public affairs at 910-689-6187.  For information related to Sgt. Lee the media may contact 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs in Kaiserslautern, Germany at 011-49-631-413-8184.

---

Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston, 29, of Eden, N.C., died April 26, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
He was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was a 2001 graduate of Morehead High School. Brandon had been in the Army since 2006, and was currently serving his third deployment. He was expected to come home later this year, between September and December.
He attended West Carolina University and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2006. Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, he attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course.
He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 2009 and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as a SF Communications Sergeant. His military education also includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Combatives Course Level 1, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a third campaign star and the Combat Infantry Badge.

---

Sgt Dick A. Lee Jr. and Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston died Thursday in Ghanzi province from injuries suffered when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.
Lee, 31, of Orange Park, was assigned to 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Sembach, Germany.
Lee is survived by a wife and two sons.
His commanding officer called Lee a great soldier and military dog handler. and that everyone who knew Lee considered it an honor to serve with him.
"Always quick with a smile and laugh, he was the kind of person you always wanted to be around," Col. Brian Bisacre wrote. "Sgt. Lee was a consummate professional; he attacked every mission with passion and strived to be the best at everything he was asked to do.  Sgt. Lee lived and breathed the Army and was a dedicated father, husband, son and soldier. He will never be forgotten."

 

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