23, of Arcadia, California; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 67th Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died of injuries sustained April 22, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee causing a fire during combat operations in Baghdad.

Sgt. Colnot was born in Houston, Texas and is from San Dimas, California and the son of Jack and Denise Colnot.

He entered the military on May 4, 2000 and attended basic and advanced individual training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing training he served with the 25th ID in Afghanistan. On September 27, 2005 he was assigned to B/1-67, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

SGT Kyle Colnot was a true blue infantryman. He was immensely proud of his time in what he called “The ‘Gan” with the 25th ID. He was a rising star in the Army, a natural leader and squad leader for 2nd squad, 3rd platoon. He was always ready and willing to help and never passed up an opportunity to get
outside the wire and get on the ground. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, his mother Denise, and his father Jack.

21, of Columbus, Ohio, died during combat operations January 2, 2011 in Helmand province, military officials said in a news release. Tate was an infantryman assigned to the 2nd Batallion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. Tate was a member of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, based at Camp Lejeune.

Tate was a committed Christian, and played soccer, baseball and basketball. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during his senior year.

Tate already had been to Iraq before returning for his second overseas tour in Afghanistan this past summer.

Jacob Tate is survived by his parents, James and Janice Tate; his wife Amy whom he met on a missions trip; his son, Jax Allan; sister, Jamie Perkins; brothers, Jonathan and Joshua Hermiz; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and many friends.




Sign the tribute guest book HERE

20, of Hagerstown, Maryland; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died January 1, 2011 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Htaik was a 2008 graduate of Smithsburg High School and was described as a quiet, easygoing and well behaved young man. Many commented on his good nature. He joined the Marines in February 2009. According to his brother, he was a devout Christian man.

He and his family had emigrated from Myanmar formerly known as Burma and became a naturalized citizen. Asia, Maung P. Htaik came to the United States in 2002, and he died fighting for the country in Afghanistan on the first day of 2011.

Plans were to have "Samuel" buried at Arlington National Cemetary.

25, of Cordova, Tennessee; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died December 27, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

This brave Marine served five tours of duty, including one in Africa , one on a ship in the Caribbean and three in Iraq.

Upon his return to American soil, he was greeted by more than 125 friends and family, and more than 50 American flags held by a group called the Patriot Guard Riders.

“He felt like God called him to be in the military,” said his mother, Janne Zaccagnino. “It was important to him to serve his country.”

The family asked that instead of flowers at the funeral people bring new teddy bears to be given to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. More information can be found on “Operation Bear Hug” on Facebook.

He leaves his mother and stepfather, Jannette and Dan Zaccagnino, his father and stepmother, Gary and Susan Misener, and two sisters, Jana and Anne Misener, along with countless extended family and friends.

20, of Jacksonville, Florida; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; killed August 18, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee following a mine-assessment mission in Samarra, Iraq.

PFC Seamans was a beloved son, grandson, brother and friend.

A member of the JROTC at Terry Parker High School, Tim achieved Ensign before becoming a member of the 2004 graduating class. Just 2 months after graduating, Tim joined the U.S. Army where he earned the rank of PFC and was stationed out of Fort Stewart, Georgia where he served proudly with the 3rd Infantry Calvary Division. He was following in his father's footsteps, who served in the Navy.

Tim loved playing his Playstation, rollerblading, basketball and anything Florida Gators or The Jaguars. He especially had a love for his animals and his family.

Timothy is survived by his parents David and Monica Seamans; sister Ashley Seamans; grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

Sign the family guestbook at:
www.legacy.com

24, of Oceanside, California; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 15, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

LCpl. Boelk was an infantry rifleman. He was on his first combat deployment.

Home-schooled throughout his childhood, Boelk lived in Korea, Iceland, Texas and both coasts of the U.S. before attending Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, Calif., where he also worked in security for Google. He talked about becoming a youth leader or doing missionary work, but left college without getting his degree.

The second of seven children, James had five sisters and one brother. "We are a close family," Cilicia Boelk wrote in an e-mail. "James was there for each of us. He always gave his siblings attention and had fun with them. He called home often and [would] text his siblings daily. He would always say 'I love you' at the end of all phone calls to us. When he was with us he would give hugs, especially group hugs."

His father, David Boelk, is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. His brother-in-law is a Marine Captain. Boelk enlisted in the Marines and had signed on for five years.

In addition to his parents and countless friends and family, he is survived by sisters Amanda, Allyssia, Christina, Oressa and Charlynn, and a brother, Timothy.

Among his awards and decorations include
The Purple Heart and the National Defense Service medal.

21, of Romeoville, Illinois; assigned to the 2nd Battalion 122nd Field Artillery, Illinois Army National Guard, Robbins, Ill.; died September 17, 2008 in Gerdia Seria, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

It was a lifelong dream of Joshua W. Harris’ to serve in the military and he enlisted with the National Guard while he was still in high school.

Don Gillingham, executive director of Walther Lutheran High School, remembered Harris as the kid who always wore a smile but felt a deep sense of purpose.

“He felt like he was doing something important,” Gillingham said of Harris’ military aspirations. “He had that. His life had purpose. His life had meaning.”

Harris loved history and once visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on a trip to Springfield. He was enthralled by the Civil War exhibits.

He was a member of a Boy Scout drum and bugle corps, and continued in the military, often playing taps on the bugle at the funerals of fallen comrades.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Jean Harris, and his mother, Mille Harris-Hickey.

21, of Killen, Alabama; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); killed February 18, 2006 when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device while he was conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

Conley, 21, graduated from Rogers High School in 2002, where he was quarterback of the football team. He was a squad leader for the 37th Weaponry Division of the Marine Corps, stationed at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and had been in Iraq since September 2005.

He and his wife Nicole were expecting their first child in March of that year.

Father of Marine Cpl. Conley, Tommy Conley said being a Marine was something is son never regretted.

His service awards include
the National Defense Service Medal, the
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and
the Good Conduct Medal.

24, of Brooklyn, New York; assigned to Deployment Processing Command-East, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died December 5, 2010 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

He joined the Marines right after graduating from Midwood High School in 2004. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on April 1, 2009.

Both of Nicholas’ sisters are also in the military — one in the Army and one in the Marines.

updates to follow

20, of Derry, New Hampshire; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died December 08, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

A 2009 graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Geary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation. He was currently serving his first tour in Afghanistan where he had been since August.

He is survived by his mother, Nancy M. (Buiting) Geary of Derry, his father, Timothy Geary of Derry, his paternal grandmother, Beverly Geary of Londonderry, NH, also many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

22, of Bentonville, Arkansas; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died December 01, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Cpl. Wade graduated from Rogers High School in Bentonville in 2006 and became a Marine in October 2007. An only child, he had not been required to accept a second deployment in Afghanistan, but, family members said, he had volunteered, unwilling to leave his fellow Marines. What he liked most about deployment was teaching the children to read and write. He left a lasting impression. He was on his third deployment when he was killed.

John Gough (Wade's Uncle) said, "Chad was one of the most loving, spirited people he has ever known. It may seem unusual for an uncle to look up to his nephew, but in this case it was true. "America's lost a great man but hopefully in everything he did, he stood for, hopefully we can learn a lesson from him," said Gough.

He leaves behind his wife, Katie, his mother, Tami and her husband Terry, his father Terence L. Wade and his wife Crystal, two sisters, Candice and Tia, and two brothers, Trever and Tristan Wade, and numerous extended family and friends.

His service awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal.

34, of Alexander City, Alabama; assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died December 10, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

A 1995 graduate of Daleville High School the Warhawks football team went on to win the state championship game in 1992.

Green served in the United States Marine Corps for ten years. He leaves behind his parents, Stanley Eugene Green and Gloria Jean Miller Green, his girlfriend, Stephanie Howard, and a brother, Anthony, among others.

22, of Flagstaff, Arizona; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died November 4, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Matt enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 4, 2007 and was serving his first combat deployment.

He leaves his new wife, Lianna, his parents, Chris and Doug Broehm, a sister, Alicia and two brothers.

It goes without saying that although family & friends grieve the loss of Broehm, as a living example and testimony of his life and faith the family held a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at First Baptist Church of Williams which included full military honors.

He was remembered as a young man who was a youth leader at the First Baptist Church, a musician and a martial arts teacher. He didn't just talk the talk; he walked the walk and had plans of becoming a youth pastor and shared his faith with anyone who'd listen.

"He was just a fantastic young man," Lang, a longtime friend and best man at his wedding said. "He was your typical good Christian kid -- always brought a smile to people's faces."

In keeping with his lifes' passion the family requested donations be made to:
First Baptist Church Teen Ministry,
629 W. Grant St., Williams, AZ 86046

31, of Vancouver, Washington; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California; died December 7, 2010 from wounds received Nov. 24 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Sgt. Peto was a graduate of Mountain View High School and also attended Clark College. In 2004 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

A mass and graveside service with full military honors was held on December 23rd in Riverside, Calif.

He married his high school sweetheart, Tiffany, in 2005.

He was currently serving his third combat deployment. Sgt. Peto was awarded the Gold star in Lieu of a second Purple Heart. He leaves his wife Tiffany, his parents Ernest and Janie Peto, three brothers, Michael, Garry, and Darin and countless family and friends.

21, of Arvada, Colorado; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died November 4, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. He was on his second combat tour and would have completed four years of service with the Marine Corps.

When he was growing up in Colorado, 5-year-old Brandon Pearson took his father’s surfboard sledding.

The destroyed surfboard at the time wasn’t funny. But 16 years later it gives Pearson’s father a laugh as he remembers a son who became a man who looked out for others.

“Brandon always had the back of those he loved,” his father, Mike Pearson, said at a memorial service held for his son in his hometown of Arvada, Colo.

“I still have that surfboard,” Mike Pearson said, “and I’m never getting rid of it.”

“I was so proud of the man he became,” said Pearson’s girlfriend, Alexa Mantas. “He was such a genuine good guy.”

He leaves behind his parents, Michael and Wendy Pearson, a sister, Ashley and his fiancee Alexa S. Mantas, along with extended family and countless friends.

His awards and decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

24, of Mesquite, Texas; assigned to Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, at Ft. Polk, La.; died November 27, 2010 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered while conducting combat operations.

Harris is a 2004 graduate of Skyline High School and joined the Army in August 2009. He came from a long heritage of patriots and servicemen, including his father who served two tours in Vietnam, his grandfather who fought in the Korean War and his great grandfather served in World War I.

Serving others came easily, as before serving his country Devon was an active member of Southern Hills Church of Christ. He served his community by volunteering at this church and other areas. He also played the violin and wanted to become a history teacher.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his father, Tennyson Harris; his mother, Sorainya Harris; two brothers, David Parker and Christopher Johnson; three sisters, Tiffany Dotson, Ashley Harris (his twin sister) and Monica Harris Smith; a stepbrother, Michael Rufus, a stepsister, Stephanie Rufus; his grandmother, Lula Smith Johnson; his aunts, Gail Punch, Rita C. Johnson, Bobbie Wilson, Laguana Diane Johnson and Sherrie Johnson; his uncles Carl Punch and Booker T. Harris; and numerous other loving relatives and friends.

Among his Awards are, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Southwestern Christian College has dedicated a scholarship to honor Harris.

Tennyson Harris said he encouraged his son to join the military with no regrets. “I’m just sorry I wasn't there to protect him, but God was there," Harris said. "We don't question God's actions.
We just accept those and continue on."

27, of Picayune, Mississippi; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died November 25, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Donnelly was a graduate of Picayune Memorial High School and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2003.

On June 16, 2008 he accepted his commission into the United States Marine Corps graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in marine engineering. He deployed to Afghanistan in late September of 2010.

1st Lt. Donnelly leaves behind his wife, Linsey, his parents, Mr. William Donnelly III and Mrs. Vicki Donnelly, two sisters, Lt. j.g. Melissa Weed and Rebecca Donnelly, extended family and countless friends.

19, of Waldorf, Maryland; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died October 27, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, from wounds received Oct. 21 while conducting combat operations.

Honeycutt was a 2009 graduate of North Point High School. He loved life, music and playing the guitar and he also loved his family and the Marines.

He was buried Monday in Arlington National Cemetery.

According to information his mother, Christine Honeycutt, posted on Facebook, Honeycutt was caught in the blast of an improvised explosive device Oct. 20 and suffered extensive tissue and muscle damage to his legs, both of which were amputated later on due to the extent of the injuries.

North Point Principal Kim Hill said Honeycutt was heavily involved in the Air Force Junior ROTC program and though it was an Air Force program, Honeycutt frequently expressed his love and desire to be a Marine.

Honeycutt's family and friends have filled his Facebook page with messages of love and support. A memory page was created on Facebook in Honeycutt's honor.

26, of Hoyleton, Illinois; assigned to 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died November 5, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Jordan was a 2002 graduate of Nashville Community High School. Shortly upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a highly decorated soldier, having served in the Persian Gulf and two deployments to Iraq. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton and was an avid skydiver and enjoyed sailing and life in general.

Emrick's father, Terry, said the turnout for his son's memorial service gave him a great deal of pride. "It was an unbelievable tribute to him," he said.

He is survived by his parents of Cynthiana, Ky.; a brother, Brandon; two sisters, Christi and Brittany and his grandmother, Edith Seeger of Hoffman; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

25, of Aroostook, Maine; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died November 2, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Zimmerman attended Greater Houlton Christian Academy, and graduated in 2003. The Bangor Daily News said that Zimmerman’s father, Tom Zimmerman, is the assistant head of the school; his mother, Jane, works with music students; and his sister and brother-in-law both teach there.

Wayne Watson, a family friend, said James Zimmerman always wanted to be a Marine.

He dearly loved his family, his God and his country. He leaves behind his father Tom, mother Jane, wife, Lynel of Richlands, N.C., brother, Christian of Montgomery, Texas; a sister, Meghan Foster and her husband, Nathan, of Hodgdon; grandmother, Althea Zimmerman of Hampden; two nephews and one niece, Tristen, Trestin and Madison Zimmerman of Texas; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.

Marine Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse
Operation Enduring Freedom

19, of Greenwood, Louisiana; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died November. 9, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Leather-clad, flag-wielding cyclists and the law-enforcement vehicles soon formed an escort for the Huse family and their lost loved one, and the entourage, probably a mile long, as Lance Cpl. Dakota “Cody” Huse returned from the war on Nov. 18.

His mother, Donna Huse, said of her younger son, he was 19 years old, and “He did what he wanted to do. It was his choice. We’re just glad he’s home so he can be at rest with his family.”

“He was our hero when he went in and now he’s everyone else’s hero. He was a great man. He cared for his country and the safety of those at home so he went to war. It’s something I never thought possible for my child. He was my baby.”

He leaves his mother, Donna Huse, three sisters, Lesley, Samantha, and Sabrina, a brother, Dusty.

21, of Albany, Oregon; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 13, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Lance Cpl. Rodewald was the machine gunner, who enlisted in November 2007, and was on his first combat deployment.

His family told the Albany Democrat Herald newspaper that their son, a former high school wrestler and track-and-field athlete, was engaged to be married he would have turned 22 on Oct. 26.

He was a 2007 graduate of South Albany High School. He is survived by countless friends and family and leaves his mother, Jacque Brotherton, his father and stepmother, John and Barbara Rodewald, three brothers, John II, Josh and Josiah, and his fiancee', Kandi Hargett.

20, of Arlington Heights, Illinois; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died November, 10, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Lance Cpl. Stack was home schooled by his parents and was a National Champion Air pistol shooter in the 2008 Junior Olympics. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing at his grandfather's farm in central Illinois.

His interest in the military began at an early age. At eleven he joined the Arlington International Airgun Club. Through this experience, James earned a position on an Olympic development team.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 7, 2009 and was on his first deployment.

He leaves his wife, Katie, a daughter, Mikayla, and his parents, Linda and Robert Stack and a sister, Megan.

Click HERE for photoessay of Lpcl. Stack's arrival home.
Click HERE to see video of Marine's Escort Home

22, of San Antonio, Texas; assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; a motor vehicle operator; died Oct. 17, 2010 while on foot patrol conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Marine Cpl. Jorge Villarreal Jr enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on February 12, 2007. He previously deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the western Pacific in 2008.

He leaves his wife, Reyna, stepdaughter, Shia Robles, his parents, Yolanda and Jorge Villarreal, Sr., and a sister, April Rodriguez.

21, of Clarksville, Arkansas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 14, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Ceniceros enlisted in September 2007 and deployed in 2009 to the western Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Irvin was a 2007 Clarksville High School graduate and played tennis and football. He signed up for the Marines in August of 2007 and began boot camp in September.

He leaves his parents, Ignacio Ceneceros and Maria A. Armendaniz, his sister, Karla, two brothers, Ivan and Abraham Ceniceros.

His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

19, of Saint Charles, Missouri; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 13, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

The former Boy Scout and wrestler graduated last year from Francis Howell Central High School and attended Lewis and Clark Technical School.

Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge
The anti-tank assaultman joined the Corps in September 2009. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

21, of Bend, Oregon; assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; killed Aug. 20 while conducting combat operations in Rawah, Iraq.

He joined the Marines a year after graduating in 2003 from Mountain View High School, only waiting that long at his father's request. "He felt he needed to do something," his father said. "His friends were going off to college."

Randy Newman was committed to his family, God and his fellow Marines, they said.

Marine Lance Cpl. Randy L. Newman
K.I.A. August 20, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom

29, of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; died Oct. 25, 2007 in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he came in contact with enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenade, machine-gun and small-arms fire during combat operations.

He was a graduate from Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix.

Family members said Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza was an avid churchgoer who dreamed of becoming a firefighter.

Mendoza’s brother, Carlos Mendoza, Jr. of Glendale said his brother was deployed in June to Vicenza, Italy, where his unit is based, The two brothers lived together with Carlos’ wife and three children.

He worked in sheet metal construction after he graduated from high school, his brother said.

He is survived by his father, Jesus Carlos Mendoza Sr., his mother, Sara, and his brothers Jesus Carlos and Stevie of El Paso, along with countless family and friends..

Army Spc. Hugo V. Mendoza
K.I.A. October 25, 2007

Mendoza was involved in the defensive
action that was later reported on
60 Minutes

21, of Plainfield, Illinois; assigned to 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died November 1, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Pfc Meari is survived by his mother, Denise (Gerald) Meehan of Plainfield; father, Mahmoud (Aisha) Meari of Grafton, WI; two brothers, Ethan and Andrew; one sister, Jenna; beloved grandson of Vivienne Williams; dear nephew of many including Todd (Stacie) Williams, his Godfather; many cousins and dear friends also survive.

Meari attended Plainfield South High School and Drauden Point Middle School. and received his diploma from Port Washington High School in Wisconsin where he graduated early.

19, of Byron, Illinois; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 14, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Two fellow Camp Pendleton.-based Marines died Thursday during combat operations, including Lance Cpl. Irvin M. Ceniceros, 21, from Clarksville, Arkansas and Lance Cpl. Joseph C. Lopez, 26, from Rosamond, Calif.

Lcpl. Catherwood graduated from Byron High School in 2009 and dreamed of becoming a Marine since a young child.

His dream was realized when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in June '09. Even after his first year as a Marine he was already talking about re-enlisting.

He leaves behind his parents, Kirk and Gretchen Catherwood, his sister, Mikaela (Lance Cpl. Matthew USMC) Montgomery and his fiancée, Hailey Patrick, who were engaged to be married on July 2, 2011; maternal grandparents, Donald and Mary Ernst of Varna, Ill.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Countless friends and fellow Marines grieve the loss of this brave young man.

Marine Lcpl. Catherwood received the following
military awards and decorations: The Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Korean Defense Service Medal.

22, of Midland, Georgia; assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Oct. 13, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Besides extended family and friends Johnson is survived by his two parents, a sister and a twin brother, Ramon Johnson, who is a soldier in the Army.

23, of Reno, Nevada; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died on Oct. 11, 2010 while on patrol/conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The son of Sharon and Frank Zaehringer Jr., brother of Nicole and husband to Cassie; the Marine graduated from Wooster High School in 2005 and joined the Marines in 2007.

Claudia Zaehringer, his aunt, said he had wanted to become a Marine since he was a teenager. “Nobody could talk him out of it. He would run around with a backpack filled with rocks just to get in shape for boot camp,” she said.

22, of North Miami Beach, Florida, assigned to 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Oct. 8, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device while supporting combat operations.

Friends said Corpsm an Gonzalez had a large “S” tattooed across his chest because people called him 'Superman'. Gonzalez got the Superman tattoo “because he was always getting in accidents and coming out fine,” said Claudia Herrera, a former classmate.

Friends told The Miami Herald that Gonzalez was a newlywed whose wife was stationed in Germany with the U.S. military. His parents declined comment.

Gonzalez graduated in 2007 from Dr. Michael J. Krop Senior High School, where he served in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.

“He was a medic and talked about becoming a doctor,” said Marina Leventhal, another former classmate. “He wanted to be a medic because he always wanted to help people.”

22, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died October 13, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

He is a 2007 graduate of Manitowoc’s Lincoln High School, and enlisted in the Marines on June 19, 2007. His battalion had been stationed in Afghanistan since September.

A friend reported that Cain started talking about joining the Corps when he was a sophomore at Lincoln. Cain enlisted two weeks after graduation.

Cain’s last visit to Manitowoc was marred by the death of his good friend, Nick Jost, in an Aug. 29 car crash near Newton. Cain was on leave at the time, but had to fly back to Camp Pendleton a day before Jost’s funeral because his unit was preparing for its mission to Afghanistan.

Cain is survived by his parents, James Cain and Judy and stepdad Tim Stock, siblings, relatives and friends.

“He’s a great guy and would do anything for you,” said Kara Raduenz, who went to the prom with Cain and is in the Air Force, stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Md.

“He was the nicest guy you could ever imagine,” said Mike Luther, Lincoln class of 2007 and a Marine Corps mechanic currently stationed at Pendleton and awaiting his own overseas deployment.

“Every Marine wants to go to, at least, one combat mission before he gets out. He transferred units so he could deploy.”

“Justin was very easy going, likable and will be greatly missed by friends and families,” Zimmerman said.

Lincoln principal Keith Shaw said Cain participated in Youth Options as a senior, attending Lakeshore Technical College as part of its dairy herd management program.

“We as civilians should give him and his family the utmost respect for their sacrifice. He will never be forgotten.”

Cain earned numerous awards during his service,
including the National Defense Service Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
The Marine Corps will present to his family the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon on Cain’s behalf.

23, of Schiller Park, Illinois; assigned to 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; died Oct. 5, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Johnson joined the Air Force about a year after graduating from Monona Grove High School in Wisconsin. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan and is the 30th Space Wing’s first active-duty airman killed since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. He had completed less than a month of a planned six-month deployment.

While a high school student Johnson was on the football, swimming and track teams. He also was editor of the school yearbook and worked on the student newspaper.

As a devoted Christian man, Dan married the love of his life, Kristen Harlow, on June 5, 2010. He was a very outgoing young man with a quiet confidence; a compassionate caring man with a love of the outdoors. One of Dan's most endearing qualities was the ability to make everyone laugh; he was a prankster and was always the life of the party. He was an active participant in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in the local community. He died knowing that he was deeply loved by his wife and family and he was very proud to serve, protect and defend his country.

Dan is survived by his wife Kristen Johnson; father Jim Johnson; mother Holly Higgins; brothers Peter, Will and Erik Johnson; sisters-in-law Tara and Tabea; niece Madeline; nephew Carter; grandmother Marilyn Johnson; aunts Tammie and Judy Johnson; and uncle Bill Johnson. Additionally, Dan is survived by his in-laws Larry and Cathy Harlow; Justin and Breanna Burton with their son Gracin; and Nick Harlow.

Click HERE for a Chicago area video on this brave Airmen's life and sacrifice.

21, of Cordele, Georgia, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Oct. 6, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

20, of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania; assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died September 28, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

40, of Peoria, Illinois; assigned to 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; died September 26, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

He is survived by his wife Aletha, their three daughters, Shantallia, Krystin, and Jamie Simpson; his parents, George and Carol Simpson of Peoria, brother, George F. Simpson of Missoula, MT and three sisters, Beth (and Doug) Camp of Bartlett, TX Carol (and Jim) Goewey of Spring Bay and Amy (and Allen) Lee of East Peoria.

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. One son, Mark A. Simpson, Jr preceded him in death.

Sgt. Simpson was born in Peoria and graduated from Richwoods High School. After working as a security guard, truck driver, and in food management, he joined the U.S. Army in 2005, and served tours at Fort Drum and Fort Hood before deploying to the Afghanistan war.

20, of Griffin, Georgia; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died September 1, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

21, of Maplewood, Minnesota; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14, 2010 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

22, of Huntersville, North Carolina; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died Sept. 7, 2010 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained in a shooting incident in Salah ad-Din province, Iraq.

“He wanted to be on the front line. He wanted to make a difference,” his mother, Susan McClamrock, said Sept. 9 as she waited at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for her son’s return to the U.S.

Mark McClamrock, James' father is pastor of Concord Associate Reform Presbyterian Church in Concord.

James McClamrock, who was born in Columbia, S.C., took leave from his job working security for the Transportation Security Administration at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport to enlist in the Army.

It was something he’d thought about doing at least since he met his wife four years ago. They’d been married for two years. He enlisted a year ago.

“He’s always had an interest in it as long as I’ve known him. But he’d been praying about it and he was like, ‘I really feel like this is what God wants me to do,’ ” said his wife, Shannah, 23. “Who was I to stop that?”


The family is leaning on their faith to carry them through the loss.

22, of Scio, New York; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died April 22, 2004 at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained April 14 when he used his body to shield comrades from a grenade explosion in Husaybah, Iraq.

Dunham, a 22-year-old machine gunner from Scio, N.Y., was manning a checkpoint near Karabilah, near the Syrian border in Iraq, on April 14, 2004, when an Iraqi man grabbed his throat. As the two scuffled, the Iraqi dropped a grenade with the pin removed, and Dunham quickly jumped on it, using his Kevlar helmet and body to smother the blast.

He received the Medal of Honor posthumously from President George W. Bush after covering a grenade with his helmet to save his fellow Marines. This was announced at a ceremony at Quantico, Va., where Marines and other top military and government leaders gathered for the grand opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

He died eight days later with his parents at his side at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

The eldest of four children, Dunham enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000 after graduating from Scio Central School, 70 miles southeast of Buffalo. His father, Daniel Dunham, an Air Force Veteran, said Jason was scheduled to be out of the service in July.

“We’re just proud of him, and we’re thankful for the people of Scio for being his friend and our friends.”

Two weeks later, Kilo Marines mourned Dunham at a memorial service held at their camp in Qaim, Iraq. “He knew what he was doing. He wanted to save Marines’ lives from that grenade,” said Lance Cpl. Jason Sanders, 21, a mortarman, according to a Marine Corps News article.

Dunham’s story was told in a book, “A Gift of Valor,” penned by a Wall Street Journal reporter embedded with 3/7 Battalion in the Spring 2004. In an article the reporter, Michael M. Phillips, wrote just weeks after Dunham’s death, unit leaders already had weighed the gravity of his final combat action and the potential recognition of that heroism.

The battalion commander at the time, Lt. Col. Matthew Lopez, submitted Dunham’s nomination for the Medal of Honor, noting “I deeply believe that given the facts and evidence presented, he clearly understood the situation and attempted to block the blast of the grenade from his squad members. His personal action was far beyond the call of duty and saved the lives of his fellow Marines,” Phillips recounted in his article.

“Jason would have wanted to earn it on his own,” his mother, Deb Dunham, told Marine Corps Times in September. “We feel he’s earned it.”

His memorial, held in his high school gym in Scio, New York was packed with more than 1,500 people, and the largest gathering space, where Dunham grew up. His casket rested beneath a basketball hoop.

As a long procession of cars and walkers accompanied the casket to the nearby cemetery, Scio residents sat on their porches and children lined the sidewalk. An American flag was draped above the highway.

This was the first Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest award for battlefield heroism — bestowed on a Marine in the Iraq war and the first earned for combat action since 1970, during the Vietnam War.

As a teenager, he put himself between a friend and an adversary to protect his buddy during a fight. As a brother, he would warn his little sister to watch out for boys. As a man, he dreamed of becoming a state trooper — so long as work didn’t take him too far from home, where he could keep an eye on those he loved most.

Dunham died as he had lived, said the minister at his burial last May: “Caring more for others than himself.”

23, of Tollesboro, Kentucky; assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; died August 19, 2010 in Pech, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

As the procession for Army Spc. Wright made its' way through town students from local schools were permitted out to watch the motorcade and learn why it is important to show respect and honor to those serving in the military.

Wright was a 2005 graduate of Lewis County High School.

Ronnie and Verdena Polley, Wright's grandparents, said the support the family has had from the community has been overwhelming.

"Nobody knows how close a small community can be until you really need them," Verdena Polley said.

"I'm extremely proud of my grandson; he gave everything he could and more to defend the rights of our people and the freedom we have and enjoy," Ronnie Polley said.

Ronnie Polley shared the memory of the last time he saw Wright. After telling him he loved him and that he would pray for him, Wright asked him to pray also for his fellow soldiers.

A 21-gun salute preceded the playing of Taps, then the Honor Guard that had accompanied Wright's body from the time it touched ground at Fleming-Mason Airport folded the flag from the casket. The flag was presented to Wright's father, Jim Cochran, by Brigadier General Bennet Sacolick, commanding general of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. Wright's step-mother is Michele Cochran. A second flag was presented to Wright's mother, Linda Dennis of Jeffersonville, Ind.

21, of Napa, California; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14, 2010 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

This soldier from Napa who died in Afghanistan is being remembered as a fun-loving person who never complained.

43, of White, South Dakota; assigned to 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Aug. 30, 2010 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

23, of Apple Valley, Minnesota; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13, 2010 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.

24, of Ballwin, Missouri; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14, 2010 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

When Sgt. Fisher decided to join the Army Reserve and then become a member of the active-duty military, it put his life into focus, his stepfather said.

“He said, ‘I need the discipline of the Army to be the type of person that I want to be,’” Jim Jacobs recalled.

He graduated in 2004 from Marquette High School, where his history teacher remembered him as a patriotic student with an interest in how the United States developed as a country, according to a district official, Kim Cranston.

Fisher met his wife, Jessica, just before an earlier deployment to Iraq. They had been married two years.

“He wanted to come home to his wife and have a life afterwards, but he was just as committed to what he did in the Army as he was to that life,” Jacobs said.

Fisher is also survived by his mother, Susan; his father, Robert, and stepmother, Alicia; three brothers, Andrew, Clayton and Alexander; and two sisters, Emily and Zoe.

23, of Tallahassee, Florida.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 14, 2010 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

26, of Orefield, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14, 2010 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

21, of Creve Coeur, Illinois;assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died Aug. 23, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

33, of Morehead, Kentucky; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died August 18, 2010 during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan.

America has lost a true military hero. He leaves behind family and friends who mourn his loss and celebrate his life. His distinguished career and ultimate sacrifice will be honored for generations to come. Collin was born May 2, 1977 to retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Clayton Thomas and Paula Jean Trent Thomas.

A native of Morehead, Kentucky, he graduated from Rowan County High School in 1995. He went on to attend Morehead State University followed by a 1997 enlistment to serve in the U.S. Navy.

He loved his SEAL Team brothers in arms and was honored to serve with them. They were his second family and closest friends. Additionally he will be remembered as a devoted son, brother and cousin with a passion for life and an adventurous nature that led him to become the exceptional man he was.

He has joined his beloved grandparents, Atlee Trent and Ruben and Sybrina Thomas.

He is survived by his parents, Clayton and Jean; sister, Meghan and her husband Richard; niece, Atlee Grace; grandmother, Norma Trent; many aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives in the Thomas and Trent families who will hold him in their hearts forever. In addition, he is survived by the woman who captured his heart, Sarah Saunders of Virginia Beach and Hagan "the monster dog" Thomas.

Marine Lcpl. Kevin Oratowski
Operation Enduring Freedom

23, of Wheaton, Illinois; assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died August 18, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Oratowski was a Glenbard South high School graduate, and enlisted in the Marine Corps June 23, 2008 and was serving in his first combat deployment.

His sister said that joining the military gave Oratowski the sense of direction that he needed after graduating from high school. "My brother was kind of lost after high school, and he didn't really know if he wanted to go to school. He decided to go join the Marines and it was probably the best thing for him," she said. Added Oratowski: "He was just a great guy, a great uncle...He loved the Marines."

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Marine Cpl. Christopher "CJ" J. Boyd
Operation Enduring Freedom

22, of Palatine, Illinois; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died August 19, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

A 2006 graduate of Palatine High School. Boyd lived in California with his wife and twin boys, and was killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol in combat against enemy forces Thursday, according to the Marines.

Boyd was a member of the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams at Palatine High School. As center, he anchored the offensive line during his senior year.

He may not have been the biggest player on the field, but he had the smarts, toughness and work ethic to excel, head coach Tyler Donnelly said Friday.

He said Boyd became a role model for students he never knew.

23, of Indianapolis, Indiana; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Aug. 11, 2010 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

The father of the 2005 Lawrence Central High School graduate killed this week in Afghanistan said he guided his son into the Army to get “a good start in life. "He loved it, he was gung-ho over there,” said Patrick Karch, who served in the Army himself for three years.

Sgt. Christopher Karch, who joined the Army about two months after his high school graduation, was about a month away from coming home from his second tour from Afghanistan.

25, of Ashland City, Tennessee; assigned to 4th Combat Engineering Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, Knoxville, Tenn.; died Aug. 8, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds received Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations.

Greer was on his first deployment after joining the Marines in April 2006. He was promoted to corporal in April, a Marine Corps news release said.

Greer, a 2003 graduate of Harpeth High School, joined the Ashland City fire department as a volunteer in March 2005 and became a full-time employee two years later.

“He was an energetic and outgoing person and was a great asset to our department,” Walker said. “His father said ever since Daniel was young he wanted to be a firefighter. He was also always passionate about his wishes to serve his country."

Greer joined the Pegram Volunteer Fire Department in July 2001 and volunteered for four years before transferring to Ashland City.

The fire chief said the death of Greer is the same as losing a family member.

Walker said Greer’s pride and joy was his family, which included his wife, Stacy, and his young son, Ethan.

“He always put his family first even above the fire department and military,” he said.

Greer was also a firefighter on the Ashland City Fire Department.

A memorial fund has been set up for
Greer’s son, Ethan at
Pinnacle Financial Branch
524 S. Main Street
Ashland City TN 37015.

23, of Kensington, New Hampshire; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died Aug. 8, 2010 at Zhari Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

GRAND LEDGE, Mich. — Two Army Rangers died Aug. 8 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when their unit encountered an improvised explosive device, Defense Department officials said Aug. 9.

Nicol was a 2006 graduate of Exeter High School where he excelled at wrestling, placing 6th in the state championships his junior year. He was also active in the Boy Scouts and motocross competitions.

Sgt. Nicol entered the United States Army immediately after high school and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He successfully completed both Airborne school and Ranger school and became part of the elite Army Rangers.

During his tenure with the Rangers, he completed four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan prior to his most recent tour in Afghanistan. In 2009 Sgt. Nicol was awarded the Bronze Star with V device for Valor and heroism during a raid in Iraq.

Due to his proficiency in combat, he rose to the position of team leader within the Rangers, leading up to 40 soldiers on tactical missions. He was serving in this capacity when he died.

Sgt. Nicol is survived by his parents, Roland and Patricia Nicol; siblings Roland, Alaina and Lauren; his grandfather, Pasquale, and grandmother Marianne. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins residing in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Nicol was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded his second Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Purple Heart.

24, of Grand Ledge, Michigan; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died Aug. 8, 2010 at Zhari Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. This was his first deployment.

Col. Michael Kurilla, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, said Rappuhn was fighting in one of the most heavily defended areas in Afghanistan and that he helped in the destruction of a complex bunker system that included heavy machine guns and mortar systems and resulted in the deaths of seven Taliban fighters.

He called Rappuhn a hero.

He was supposed to come home in the end of July,” said his mother, Roxanne Rappuhn, 53, of Grand Ledge. “But they tacked 45 more days on.”

Her son already had been wounded this year and still carried around shrapnel from that Memorial Day attack — shrapnel that doctors apparently thought couldn’t be removed, Roxanne Rappuhn said.

"He was easygoing," she said, "and he were here right now, he’d be telling me to suck it up,” she said.

Rappuhn graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 2004 and was remembered for participating on the bowling team and being a team player. He enjoyed BMX bikes, fishing, motorcycles and his black Lab named Bill.

Rappuhn enlisted in the Army in January 2009 and served as an anti-armor specialist.

He is survived by his mother Roxanne and father, Cary Rappuhn, of Potterville, and brother, Brent Rappuhn, of Grand Ledge.

Army Pfc. Bradley Rapuhn earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He also was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

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

23, of Plant City, Florida; assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; died Aug. 8, 2010 in Akhtar-Mohammad-Khan, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Cuzzupe, was an U.S. Army combat medic. Following in his parents footsteps, who met in the Army; He was born on the Army base at Fort Riley, Kansas and was proud to serve his country.

Army Pfc. Cuzzupe was an honor student at Armwood High School, graduating in the top 20 percent of his class in 2005. He was almost ready to graduate from Saint Leo University with a degree in history and a minor in political science. Growing up he was an altar server at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Seffner.

A self-taught guitarist and talented musician, he loved alternative rock and was in a number of local bands, the most successful being The Seed and The Flawless Effect.

Cuzzupe wanted to be a state trooper after leaving the military.

The Cuzzupe family has known their share of tragedy when in June 2009, his father, Paul, was killed in an automobile crash.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul O. Cuzzupe Sr., and grandfather, Anthony Cuzzupe, as well as step-grandfather, Anthony Volpe. He is survived by his mother, Annette, stepfather, Michael; brothers, Anthony Cuzzupe II and David Cuzzupe III; sister, Alexis; half-sister, Julia; stepbrother, Troy; maternal grandparents, David and Judy Allard; paternal grandmother, Barbara Volpe; girlfriend, Stephanie LePochat of Seffner, FL; stepmother, Alicia ; and an extended loving family and many friends. Paul was very much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

"But that was just who he was."

23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; assigned to 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Aug. 7, 2010 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq.

Hinkley enlisted Aug. 27, 2007, and reported to Fort Jackson, S.C., for basic training and to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., for advanced training in her specialty, human intelligence collector.

She was a native of Monte Vista, in south-central Colorado, and attended school in Colorado Springs after graduating from high school in 2006.

23, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Aug. 7, 2010 of wounds received Aug. 4 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

19, of Christiana, Tennessee; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Aug. 7, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations during an attempted prisoner escape in southern Afghanistan.

Gammone would have turned 20 on Aug. 10, according to his fiancée, Jessica West. West; Gammone’s mother, Lorraine Gammone; and grandmother, Ellie Gammone were notified of Gammone’s death on Aug. 7, the day it happened.

Gammone’s father, Vincent Gammone II, suffers from multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with one another. West said when the older Gammone learned of his son’s death he “didn’t believe it was his son” at first.

Eagleville High School, where Gammone graduated in 2008, has flown its flag at half-staff since educators there learned of his death, according to family members. West recalled that one of Gammone’s “big passions” was for band, which he participated in throughout his high school career.

“He was in the band and played trombone,” West said, adding “he and I were also in ROTC together.”

A New Yorker by birth, Gammone moved to Tennessee with his family when he was 2 years old, according to West. When terrorist cells hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, West remembered Gammone became infuriated and his passion to join the military became stronger.

Gammone had aspirations to join the Navy and to become a military officer once his contract with the Marines expired, West said. His ultimate goal, however, was to become a police officer and raise a family with West.

“I’ll remember his kind heart,” West said. “He was very forgiving and very loving. I’ll remember his love and passion for band and the Marine Corps, and his love for me, his family and everyone he met.”

21, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 30, 2010 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

25, of Texarkana, Texas; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 30, 2010 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

23, of Spring, Texas; assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died July 29, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

20, of Ashtabula, Ohio; 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Aug. 7, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

Kevin graduated from Lakeside High School in 2008, after being active in the wrestling and football programs. One of Kevin's favorite times was the bicycle trip he took in 2006, when he rode his bike from East Glacier, Mont., to Ashtabula, a distance of 1,975 miles.

He joined the U.S. Marine Corps immediately following graduation and at the time of his passing, had earned many honors during his time in the service including the Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

A lifetime member of Bethany Lutheran Church, he served as the only acolyte for many years and even filled the position again during his visit home this past Christmas.

He is survived by his father, Gerald E. (Marlene) Cornelius; Mother, Valerie (Bob) Silleck; brother, 2nd Lt. Eric V. Cornelius; his grandparents, Carmen "Lefty" and Celeste Corbissero, stepbrothers, Robert and John "Jack" Fortune; stepsister, Kelly Romano; Aunts, Uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.

His funeral service is available via webcast at www.ducrowebcast.com. It will be available within 24 hours after the service is complete.

21, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 1, 2007 in Baghdad in a non-combat-related incident.

Patton graduated in 2005 from Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville, where he acted and played football. He decided while in high school to enlist after graduation, said Kevin Potlock, a Central Gwinnett senior who shared a class with Patton. "He was excited about it," Potlock said.

A family friend, Mark Allison, said Patton's relatives were touched by what people wrote about Patton on the social networking Web site facebook.com. Dozens of people offered condolences in writings on a page entitled "Chris Patton Was My Hero."

Patton, an infantryman and trained paratrooper, served with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Combat Brigade. His unit was based in Fort Hood, Texas. His unit is nicknamed the Black Knights, as is the high school football team for which he played.

K.I.A. September 01, 2007

30, of Dickinson, North Dakota; assigned to the 957th Engineer Company (V Corps), Bismarck, N.D.; died when the Heavy Expanded-Mobility Tactical Truck he was in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade July 22, 2003 outside of Ramadi, Iraq. Fettig had served in the National Guard for nearly 11 years.

The 957th, which builds and maintains bridges and helps transport cargo, is one of two North Dakota Guard units deployed to Iraq. Soldiers have been in the Middle East since late April of 2003.

Hundreds of family members, friends and soldiers packed the church to praise Jon Fettig as a hero who gave his life for his country. More than 1,000 people were at the service.

He is survived by his parents Larry and Shirley Fettig, sister Tenille, and wife Cody Fettig.

“I was given his dog tags,” Fettig’s wife, Cody, said. “It makes me feel like I am closer to him. He sits right next to my heart, and he will stay there.”

Jon Fettig was remembered as a hero with a “marvelous smile.” Sgt. Wade Kadrmas said Fettig’s smile was always there for friends and fellow soldiers.

23, of Spokane Valley, Washington; assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.; died June 22, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Nimruz province, Afghanistan.

A memorial service for Cpl. Joshua Dumaw was held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Chapel.

20, of Washburn, Illinois; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Jan. 8, 2008 in Samarra, Iraq, of wounds sustained during combat operations.

21, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of North Versailles, Pa.; died July 27, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province.

27, of Cincinnati, Ohio; assigned to 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died July 24, 2010 in Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Misty Bauer described her husband Joseph as "a hero."

He enjoyed his family. He loved watching football and baseball – especially our hometown Cincinnati teams.”

Misty asked for prayers for all members of the military and privacy for her family.

“Joseph was extraordinary and I am absolutely blessed to be his wife,” she said. “Joseph is a hero in my eyes and I will always love him.”

A memorial service was planned for Tuesday, August 10th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Louis Church in Owensville.

22, of Middleville, Michigan; assigned to the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Aug. 16, 2009 in Herat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

According to his parents Cpl. Roush was welcomed into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Nicky was a 2005 Thornapple-Kellogg Graduate and attended KVCC. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Middleville, MI.

Bob Roush tells The Grand Rapids Press his son “wanted to serve” and “do something significant,” and believes he “has done that and more.”

"Nicky" leaves behind his parents Robert and Donna Roush; his brothers, Bobby and Kyle; grandparents, Pastor Robert Roush Sr. and Kathy of Lowell, MI, Gertrude Huisman; and soul mate, Kaleigh Page along with countless family, friends and fellow soldiers.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Peter Huisman.

Those who wish may share a memory
with the family please visit this site:
HERE

Army 1st Lt. Michael L. Runyan
Operation Iraqi Freedom

24, of Newark, Ohio; assigned to 52nd Infantry, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died July 21, 2010 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his convoy vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

28, of Dover, Delaware; assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.; died April 3, 2008 near Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He is survived by his wife, Krista, and son, Elijah.

Griffin knew the dangers of serving in Iraq, but volunteered anyway as part of a year-long deployment to help train Iraqi police officers.

Griffin, who had served in the Air Force for nearly nine years, was a member of the 377th Security Forces Squadron at Kirtland. He had been stationed at the Albuquerque base since July 2004.

Griffin’s mother, Christine Herwick of western Ohio, was at the Clearcreek Christian Assembly in Springboro, Ohio, when she learned of her son’s death.

Herwick and Griffin’s stepfather, Donald Herwick III, said he was born in Okinawa, where the Herwicks were both on active duty, and traveled with them from base to base.

“We knew there was risk every day, but he wanted to be there.” said his stepfather Donald Herwick.

In a interview with the American military newspaper Stars and Stripes, Griffin had said: “I want to leave knowing that we’ve done something.”

Col. Robert Suminsby said Griffin’s mission in Iraq was much more dangerous than what most airmen are confronted with. “Most deploy for four to six months. He actually volunteered to go on a 365-day tour,” Suminsby said. “He was one of the folks that really stepped up to do not just a very dangerous and demanding mission, but one that was going to last a lot longer.”

“Most deploy for four to six months. He actually volunteered to go on a 365-day tour,” Col. Suminsby said.

“He was one of the folks that really stepped up to do not just a very dangerous and demanding mission, but one that was going to last a lot longer.”

Marine Lance Cpl. Frederik "Freddy" Vazquez
Operation Enduring Freedom

20, of Melrose Park, Illinois, supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, IIMarine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. and was killed in action on July 24, 2010.

Vazquez leaves behind his parents, Juan and Rubelia Vazquez, as well as a brother Juan Carlos, extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. This Marine was a 2008 graduate of West Leyden High School in Northlake.

Family and friends comment about Marine Vazquezs' life. Read the full story HERE.

20, of Radcliff, Kentucky; assigned to 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky; died July 12, 2010 at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

24, of West Chester, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; died July 5, 2010 at Abdulhamid Kalay, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

27, of Hinesville, Georgia; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13, 2010 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.

37, of Belvidere, Illinois; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; died July 18, 2010 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained July 17, 2010 in a non-combat-related incident in Khowst, Afghanistan.

29, of Jacksonville, Illinois; assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky; died July 17, 2010 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

23, of Decatur, Illinois; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 16, 2010 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds sustained July 13, when insurgents attacked his unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with rifle, rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire.

27, of Polo, Illinois; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

15 of Fort Carson's Colorado post were killed in Afghanistan in October of 2009 alone; the worst single month for combat deaths the post has endured since the Vietnam War.

Officials said Fort Carson has lost 32 soldiers in Afghanistan and 255 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Martin attended St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Brooklyn, New York and graduated in 2002 from Johnson High School. After graduating, Vernon became a Juvenile Correction Officer at the Chatham County Youth Detention Center.

He joined the Army in August of 2004 and married his high school sweetheart Brittany. He is also survived by two daughters and one son, his parents Connie Brown and George William Martin, a sister, Vanessa and a brother, Joseph, aunts, uncles and cousins, and many friends.

The 4th Infantry soldiers were honored at a service in the Soldiers’ Memorial Chapel at midday, and a second service was held later in the day for the others.

At his memorial service, letters were read from soldiers still in Afghanistan recounting the fallen troops’ lives and praising their bravery and friendship.

Maj. Dan Chandler said each of the eight 4th Infantry soldiers enlisted after the terrorist Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “They were helping to make a difference when they were taken from us,” he said.

A soldier sobbed quietly at the back of the chapel as Sgt. Major Leslie Frye called the roll, pausing silently after he twice called out the name of each man killed.

Outside the chapel, seven riflemen fired three volleys in a 21-gun salute, and a bugler played Taps.

29, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, died July 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Antonik joined the Marine Corps in May 2001 and received reconnaissance training, officials said. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in February of 2009 and joined the Marine Corps Special Forces Operations Command later that year.

Among many friends and family, Marine Staff Sgt. Antonik leaves behind a wife, Erin, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Antonik, his sister, Jennifer, and grandmother, Florence Antonik.

He became something special in the Marines. At the time of his death, at 29, he was a Staff Sergeant in the elite First Marine Special Forces Battalion.

This highly decorated Marine Awards include, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, a Combat Action Ribbon, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and two Navy Unit Commendations.

20, of Royse City, Texas; assigned to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 5, 2010 in Yakuta, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Spc. Keenan A. Cooper.

22, of Powder Springs, Georgia; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died July 3, 2010 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained June 30 in a weapons system accident at Forward Operating Base Lane, Afghanistan.

29, of Park Hills, Missouri; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 16, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Lcpl. Bailey was a 1999 graduate of West County High School. in Leadwood, Mo. Every time Bailey would come home on leave, he would stop by the school and talk with teachers and the principal.

"Mike was a very special kid, and was highly thought of by people who knew him," said the principal, Eric Moyers. "He never failed; after he made the rounds with friends and family, he'd always come back to the school and visit with myself and teachers he had at the school."

They would catch up, reminisce. On his last visit to the school, Moyers recalled that Bailey said he was preparing to be sent to Afghanistan. "I thought the world of him," Moyers said. "Our community is hurting right now."

After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy he enlisted to become a United States Marine.

Bailey's stepfather, Thomas Rodgers of Frankclay, Mo., described him as "having a really good heart." Rodgers said he helped raise Bailey since he was in elementary school and called him his son. Bailey enjoyed his time in the service and was funny about stuff like that. When he was in the Navy, he was in a nuclear sub. He liked that, top secret."

Bailey’s father lives in Springfield, and his aunt lives in Australia, Bouse said. Aside from a cousin and a nephew, most of the family is gone. But when Bailey came home on leave, he always had plenty of places to stay.

29, of Dayton, Kentucky; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Conn Barracks, Germany; died June 23, 2010 at Charkh district, Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with rocket fire.

He leaves behind his wife Michelle, his son Parker, and stepson Jared—one of whom suffers from Cystic Fibrosis.

Madden was the son of Martin Madden and Peggy Strange Davitt and also leaves behind his brother Martin and sister Lindsey as well as stepmother Pamela Madden and stepfather Mike Davitt.

Pfc. Madden was in his first deployment to Afghanistan. Madden enlisted to serve his country and provide a better future for his young family, especially considering that one of his children suffers from CF.

24, of Thornton, Colorado; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died July 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Carskie, Harris' H.S. Football coach said that in every aspect of his life Harris was "committed to being successful. Anything that he may have lacked in talent, he made up for with will power and detrmination."

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Jimmy Macias, his longtime friend said that Harris originally wanted to join the Air Force and did several patrol ride-alongs with local law enforcement. He joined the Marines in May 2006, in part because of the influence from his step-father, who was also Marine.

His friends said that he cared deeply for his community and was in the military for the benefit of those around him.

He will always be remembered for his devotion -- and his ability to light up a room. "He was the shortest," Macias said, "but always the biggest."

Among his service awards were the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Read more about this fine young Marine by clicking HERE

38, of Columbus, Georgia; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died July 2, 2010 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained July 1 in a non-combat-related equipment incident in Taji, Iraq.

He was on his second tour in Iraq and had joined the Army at 31 because he wanted to support his family, relatives said.

Lumpkin was the son of Wayne and Jan Lumpkin and also leaves behind his wife Carol, a son and two stepchildren.

July 3rd would have marked the Sgt.'s and Carol's ninth wedding anniversary.

A family friend said the fallen soldier often would surprise her and others with acts of kindness, like repairing faulty car brakes or rescuing a friend who became stranded while off-roading.

"He was always the first to help no matter what, and I truly feel that's what he was doing the day that tragic accident happened," Lujan, a neighbor, said. "He was helping someone try to get the job done."

She added: "Johnny has forever touched my life."

Army Staff Sgt. Manny Garcia, a fellow soldier and friend, recalled Lumpkin's outspoken nature and love for family, friends and fishing.

"He will be loved and missed by all who he came in contact with. He was a true hero to his family and to the nation."

20, of Trenton, Georgia; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died June 26, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Richards is survived by his wife.

"He was always a very good-hearted, sweet child," Pouliot (Richards' uncle) said. "He was just as good a kid as you've ever meet. He always did the right thing."

Richards followed in his father's and brother's footsteps when he entered the Marines. He served as a squad automatic rifleman. He joined the Marines, according to a news release, in September 2008 and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in November 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010.

34, of Tennille, Georgia; assigned to 810th Engineer Company, Georgia National Guard, Swainsboro, Ga.; died June 26, 2010 at Sayed Abad, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Our heartfelt prayers go out to David's wife, LaTonya, their 3 children, and the entire Holmes family.

David had been in both the Navy and Marine Corps and served numerous combat deployments before becoming a citizen-soldier with the Georgia National Guard. In the civilian part of his life, Holmes worked at a local prison.

“The entire Georgia National Guard family grieves alongside the Holmes family on word of his tragic incident in Afghanistan,” said Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia’s Adjutant General.

“Like all Guardsmen, Sgt. Holmes was a true citizen-Soldier, one of Georgia’s best, who knew his job and was willing to perform it without personal reservation.” From his sacrifice, each of us who wear the uniform is clearly reminded that the values of liberty and freedom are often safeguarded only at an exceptionally heavy price.”

22, of Schiller, Park, Ill.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Sept. 4, 2007 in Baghdad of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.

Army Private Shelton was a graduate of East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois.

We are privileged to honor the family of Army Pvc. Shelton on June 26, 2010. He will never be forgotten...

We are humbled that the Shelton's would accept our invitation. May the remembrance of your son by everyone present help to ease the pain of your loss...

21, of Northlake and Villa Park, Illinois; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; killed Nov. 19, 2005 when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and grenades in Mosul, Iraq.

Alcozer was part of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

God Bless The Troops has the privilege of honoring Army Pvt. Alcozer and his family on June 26, 2010. He will never be forgotten...

We are humbled that the Alcozer family would accept our invitation. May the remembrance of your son by everyone present help to ease the pain of your loss...

24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 26, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Caskey followed his grandfather, father, mother and two older brothers into the military after graduating from North Hills High School in 2004. It was his second tour of duty overseas.

22, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died June 7, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Spc. Redding is survived by his wife, Victoria Redding of Lincoln, Neb.; mother, Teresa Redding of Elmwood, Neb.; and father, Blaine Redding, of Lincoln, Nebraska.

This was the single deadliest day for the 101st since 2003.

21, of St. Louis, Missouri; assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Mar. 16, 2006 when a mortar round detonated in Tikrit, Iraq. Also killed was Spc. Carlos M. Gonzalez.

Sgt. Pinson was described by Lt. Col. Lucinda Lane as “a breath of fresh air” . She was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Pinson enlisted in the Army after graduating in 2002 from Hancock Place High School, where she won several scholarships and was on the basketball and softball teams. She planned to attend college after her military service and become an FBI or CIA agent.

KIA March 15, 2006
101st Airborne
Awarded Bronze Star
and Purple Heart
posthumously

24, of Flint, Michigan; assigned to the 161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 16, 2010 in North Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

29, of West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, Connellsville, Pa.; died June 11, 2010 at FOB Bullard, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

20, of Macomb, Michigan; assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 30, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Dilisio, a graduate of Dakota High School swam and played football and baseball, and enlisted approximately two years ago and was deployed in December, according to David Dilisio. He was scheduled to come home at the end of July or early August. He was engaged to be married.

“He was a people person and was always compelled to give back in some way,” David Dilisio recalled. “He wanted to serve in some capacity, whether it was as a firefighter or a police officer or a Marine, which to him was the pinnacle.”

Lorenzo, Anthony Dilisio’s father is an Army veteran.

31, of Naperville, Illinois; assigned to the 161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 16, 2010 in North Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Army Pfc. Hotchkin, a husband to Erin, and father of three to Ethan, 8, Tristan, 4, and Gunnar's stepdaughter Taylor, 10, had been deployed less than six months when his wife's worst fears came true. The man who had left civilian life to provide a better future for his family would never get the chance to see them thrive.


Visitation for Gunnar Hotchkin was be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Gibbons Elliston Funeral Home in Hinsdale. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave.

24, of Smithville, Texas; assigned to the 264th Clearance Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 11, 2010 in Powrak, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

He leaves behind a wife and 7-year-old daughter.

American flags lined the streets, and an estimated 500 people filed into the church to honor the man friends and family said dreamed of being in the military since high school. A Moving Tribute To This Hero.

Rodriguez was the fourth active duty KIA from Smithville in four years.

* Mario Rodriguez - June 11, 2010 - Afghanistan
* Cody Stanley - October 28, 2009 - Afghanistan
* Josh Farris - July 9, 2009 - Afghanistan
* Tina Priest - March 1, 2006 - Iraq

Click HERE to read full story.

Marine Standfest's Grandfather served in The Corps during WWII.

Cpl. Standfest was a canine handler and a combat engineer. The Marines said an improvised explosive device struck him June 16 while he was on foot patrol.

His father Timothy Standfest is a detective with the Clinton Township Police Dept. and mother Karen Standfest, VP & and Chief Nursing Officer at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.

Family friend Doug Mills said, “I watched Jeff grow up into a man and into a Marine hero,” Mills said. “This sounds corny, but I thank God there are people like him in the Marines and Army. What would we in this country do without people like him?”

He was a graduate of St. Clair High School.

20, of Melrose Park, Illinois; assigned to the 708th Medical Company, 108th Medical Battalion, 108th Sustainment Brigade, Illinois National Guard, North Riverside, Illinois; died Nov. 12, 2007 in Kuwait City, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.


Read more

22, of San Marcos, Texas; assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska; died May 21, 2007 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when multiple improvised explosive devices detonated near their vehicle.

Michael was a San Marcos High School graduate who later went on to attend Texas State University. Two years into college, after the events of 9/11, Michael decided to join the United States Army. He chose to specialize in becoming a Combat Engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Michael had a passion for life and he put that forward into his work. He never left any project unfinished and he always did it to the best of his ability.

He leaves behind his wife, mother Sonya Davis Kennedy; father Myron Warner Davis; sisters Natalie Davis and Jessica Bell; brother-in-law Freeman Bell and beloved nephew Grayson "lil Mikey" Bell.

26, of Kingwood, Texas; was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 6, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez and Cpl. Donald M. Marler.

20, of Edinburg, Texas; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 6, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were Sgt. Brandon C. Bury and Cpl. Donald M. Marler.

22, of St. Louis, Missouri; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died June 6, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were Sgt. Brandon C. Bury and Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez.

21, of Enterprise, Alabama; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 7, 2010 in Jelawar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

25, of Grass Lake, Michigan; assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; died June 9, 2010 near FOB Jackson, Afghanistan, in a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash. Also killed were Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores, Air Force Staff Sgt. David C. Smith and Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin D. White.

Three airmen also were injured in the Pave Hawk incident, which occurred on the deadliest day for Air Force personnel at war in more than five years.

The helicopter crashed as the airmen, assigned to 563rd Rescue Group, were performing a medical-evacuation mission in turbulent Helmand province.

“Our Air Force was deeply saddened by the loss of four of our own,” Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said in a statement. “Faithful to the rescue motto ‘That others may live,’ these airmen were courageously and selflessly flying in support of their joint and coalition teammates. We grieve for our warriors and our thoughts and prayers are with their families, as well as with the airmen still recovering.”

The last time four or more airmen died in a single day was May 30, 2005, when a prop plane crashed in Diyala province, Iraq. A fifth passenger, Iraqi Air Force Capt. Ali Abass, also died in that crash.

22, of Calcium, New York; assigned to 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died June 8, 2010 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek was a cavalry scout.He joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2007.

His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Action Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle) and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter; Makella L. Klusacek of Watertown, N.Y; and parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek of Evans Mills, N.Y.

22, of Savannah, Georgia; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; died June 1, 2010 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he was shot by enemy forces.

Note: On June 4, 2010, Spc. Peney was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

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

“Spc. Peney was the epitome of our Ranger Medics – warrior first, expert in advanced medical treatment, and selflessly dedicated to the care of others – even at the risk of one’s own life,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “Spc. Peney did not hesitate to move under heavy fire to the care of another wounded Ranger. He is a hero to our Nation, the 75th Ranger Regiment and his family.”

He was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Afghanistan. For more than two years, he served as a combat medic in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

SGT Peney is survived by his wife Kristin E. Peney of Savannah, Ga., and his mother Sue L. Peney of LaGrange, Ga.

Send your comments on
the memorial site set up
for this brave soldier
by clicking HERE.


Also, US Army
Ranger Association
HERE

28, of Waterford, Connecticus; assigned to 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, Norwalk, Conn.; died May 25, 2010 at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained May 20 when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire at Contingency Outpost Xio Haq, Afghanistan.

When Edwin Rivera broke the news to his family that he was returning to Afghanistan for a second tour with the Connecticut National Guard, he had one reason: the Afghan children.

“When the U.S. soldiers drive by,” Rivera, 28, told his mother Gladys, “the children will scramble like mad in the dust just to get thrown a simple pencil from us. They don’t even have pencils.” This time, Rivera didn’t make it home.

When home in Waterford, Conn., Rivera worked the evening shift as a security guard at a nuclear power plant. While his wife, Yesenia, worked days in a dental office, Rivera cared for their sons, Rolando and Lorenzo, making sure they ate and made it to and from school safely.

“He would go out of his way to greet you and ask how you were doing,” Ed Discola posted on an online memorial site. “It was impossible to have a conversation with him and not come out of it smiling.”

22, of Concord, North Carolina; assigned to 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 24 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

24, of Columbia, Missouri; assigned to 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 22, 2010 in Durai, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his military vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

21, of Frederick, Maryland; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 10, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

45, of Saint Charles, Missouri; assigned to the 1141st Engineer Company, Missouri National Guard, Kansas City, Mo.; died May 14, 2010 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Rev. James P. Callahan said during the Sgt.'s funeral that Kisseloff "gave his life for our nation because he believed in this nation and he believed in the people of America."

Afterward, scores of people came to pay their respects as the procession made its way to the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Kisseloff leaves behind two young children, Serena and Alexander. Their mother died of an illness about two years ago. The two are living with their grandparents in St. Charles County.

38, of Calhoun, Georgia; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Lawrenceville, Ga.; died June 20, 2009 in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.

Blair was a Kentucky native.

26, of Kilgore, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died May 11, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. May enlisted in 2005 and was on his third combat deployment. His death came one day after his second wedding anniversary.

21, of Tomball, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died May 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Johnson, who enlisted in 2007, was on his second deployment.

23, of Ludlow, Massachusetts; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 12 , 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

30, of White Deer, Texas; assigned to the 38th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died May 3, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

21, of Waterville, Maine; assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 6, 2010 at Jaghatu, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.

The funeral for Army Spc. Slack will be held at Blessed Hope Church in Waterville.

Slack joined the Army after graduating from Waterville High School in 2007, and was assigned to the 707th Ordnance Company, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

23, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 12, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

20, of McMinnville, Tennessee; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 9, 2010 at Contingency Outpost Zerok, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

40, of Centerville, Washington; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 2, 2010 at Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

21, of Schaumburg, Illinois; assigned to 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed in Iraq on May 12, 2003 when unexploded ordnance he was handling detonated.

Jakub H. Kowalik came to the United States from Poland in 1992 and was a permanent U.S. resident. He enlisted in the Marines during his senior year at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Ill.

“He’s my hero, my best friend,” said his older brother, Paul Kowalik. “He was a good person, the last person this should happen to.”

Danuta Kowalik clutched a framed certificate that officially granted her son, Lance Cpl. Jakub Kowalik, something that, in her eyes, he had already earned--American citizenship.

Kowalik completed his last mission by being granted American citizenship posthumously.

"I think that when someone gives their life for our country, they certainly should be citizens," said the then Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who attended the ceremony. "I think Jakub is in that great tradition of patriots who believed in liberty, freedom and democracy."

27, of Jacksonville, Alabama.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died May 8, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

He was a leader who died “doing what he loved,” his wife Brooke Clopton Comfort said. “Kyle’s main purpose in life was to make a difference, and he really felt like we were making a difference over there.”

The couple married in October 2005. Survivors include their 6-month-old daughter, Kinleigh Ann.

Comfort’s father, the late Kenneth A. Comfort, retired from the Army as first sergeant.

Read Our Tribute Post Here

19, of Perry, Iowa; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 7, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Davis served as a machine gunner. He enlisted in March 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in March of this year.

27, of Golden, Colo.; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 24 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., of wounds sustained March 12, 2010 when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire at Out Post Bari Alai, Afghanistan.

22, of San Antonio, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 6, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Rangel served as a fire team leader. He enlisted in April 2007 and had a previous deployment to Iraq in 2008.

Further details regarding the circumstances of their deaths were not immediately available.

22, of Birmingham, Ala.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 28, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

24, of Claysville, Pa.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 27, 2010 near Quarando Village, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

He was deployed in Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and had begun his tour in Afghanistan on June 2009. He served with Fort Carson’s 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Kennedy received several awards for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

30, of Auburndale, Fla.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died April 27, 2010 in Khalis, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an explosive device.

Keith, was the husband of Katrina, and the father of three young children.

25, of Farmingville, N.Y.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died April 23, 2010 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations.

Sgt. Santora was the 12th soldier from Long Island to die in battle in Afghanistan.

27, of Hutchinson, Kan.; assigned to 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 7th Signal Brigade, 5th Signal Command, Mannheim, Germany; died May 4, 2010 of injuries sustained from a noncombat-related incident in Tikrit, Iraq.

24, of Wenonah, N.J.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 29, 2010 at Forward Operating Base Bullard, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using improvised explosive devices.

19, of Hellertown, Pa.; assigned to the 54th Combat Communications Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; died May 3, 2010near Khyber, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat-related incident.

22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Nov. 13, 2009 just weeks before his 23rd birthday, while supporting combat operations in Nawa, Afghanistan.

Hefner was fearless, comrades and friends said. A choked-up soldier said Hefner carried him to safety after an explosive hit their truck.

Patrick Hefner said his son loved to go camping and fishing. “If it could be done outdoors, that’s where he wanted to be,” he said.

He knew how to keep a promise to his mother, Robin, who’d asked him to take photos overseas. “They were carting him off in helicopters, and he was lying on his back taking pictures of his buddies up in front of him” after an attack last year, his father said. Other survivors include a sister and brother.

21, of Brielle, New Jersey; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; died April 23, 2010 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations.

21, of Tacoma, Washington; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 11, 2010 in Char Bagh, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

21, of Fall River, Massachusetts; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, Fall River, Mass.; died April 19, 2010 near Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained in the explosion of an improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol.

28, of Richmond, Kentucky; assigned to the 2123rd Transportation Company, Kentucky National Guard, Richmond, Kentucky; died April 18, 2010 in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Sigley had commanded a mine-resistant, ambush-protected Humvee that helped provide protection for military convoys in Afghanistan.

"His professionalism, selfless service and devotion was contagious to all who served with him. Randy was not only a great soldier but a fantastic human being who cared deeply for his brothers and sisters in arms." said Capt. John Moore, who commands his Unit.

23, of Williamsburg, Va.; assigned to the 149th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, Fort Eustis, Va.; died Aug. 19, 2009 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

23, of Monroe, Mich.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died April 17, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol.

23, of Lincoln, Illinois; assigned to the 797th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 79th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; killed Feb. 24, 2005 when a second improvised explosive device detonated while he was responding to the earlier explosion of another device at Camp Wilson, Iraq.

19, of Fenton, Missouri; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 14, 2008 in Farah province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. Also killed were Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass and Pfc. Dawid Pietrek.

Marine Pfc. Michael Patton and his wife Amy.

21, of Petal, Mississippi.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died April 7, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Blount and his commanding officer, Lt. Robert Wilson Collins of Tyrone, Ga., were the most recent American casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense Web site’s announcement of the deaths, Blount had been promoted posthumously on Monday to specialist from private first class.

24, of Tyrone, Georgia; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died April 7, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

35, of Hancock, Minnesota; assigned to the 367th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, St. Cloud, Minn.; died April 4, 2010 in Baghdad of wounds sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

A father of four, he died in Iraq a month after returning for his second tour of duty there, his father said.

Lyle Kruize said the Army hasn’t provided his family with further details about how his son died, but said that it is still investigating.

Kurt Kruize was a 1993 graduate of Hancock High School, where he played football and basketball. He joined the Army Reserve when he was still in high school, Lyle Kruize said.

20, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Jan. 10, 200 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The tragic death of LCpl Meinert hits even closer to home as he served bravely in the same unit as the Director's family friend.

Miguel and Marines from his unit held a field memorial service for their fellow Marine. Our hearts and prayers go out to them and the family and friends of this young man. We are forever grateful...

25, of Buffalo, New York; assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

22, of Villas, N.J.; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died October 03, 2009 serving in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires.

Fort Carson paid somber tribute to 15 of its soldiers killed in Afghanistan in October 2009, the worst single month for combat deaths the post has endured since the Vietnam War.

Each of the eight 4th Infantry soldiers enlisted after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. “They were helping to make a difference when they were taken from us,” he said.

20, of Rochester, Minn.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died April 2 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

19, of Yorba Linda, Calif.; assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4thMarine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died March 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Cottle.

19, of Gillette, Wyoming; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 24, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

36, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; assigned to an East Coast -based SEAL Team; died March 18 in a battle with militants in Afghanistan.

Brown was assigned to a Virginia Beach, Va.-area SEAL team that was part of a special operations task force operating in various parts of Afghanistan.

Brownenlisted in the Navy in 1998 and joined the SEALs in 2001. He earned a Bronze Star with combat “V.” He is survived by his wife, two children and his parents.

24, of Palm City, Florida.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

26, of Kenosha, Wisconsin; 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died March 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenade fire.

Rieckhoff, who has an 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, recently re-enlisted as part of Battery Bravo Second Battalion of the 15th Field Artillery Unit out of New York.

Rieckhoff graduated from Tremper High School in 2002 and served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Kuwait.

28, of Richfield, Ohio; assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 16 of wounds sustained March 8 while supporting combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan.

Gilbert was on his fifth tour of duty and his second in Afghanistan.

Gilbert’s father, a Richfield police officer, was with him at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., when he died.

26, of Largo, Fla.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

21, of Lowville, N.Y.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force was killed April 20, 2005 serving during when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. Also killed was Marine Lance Cpl. Marty G. Mortenson.

Kelly Matthew Cannan volunteered for a third tour in Iraq so fellow Marines with wives and children wouldn't have to go.

26, of Federal Way, Washington & Oregon.; assigned to the 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died March 13 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked her base with mortar fire.

She lived most recently in Federal Way. She graduated from Sheldon High School in Eugene, Ore.

22, of Jacksonville, Florida; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Dec. 1 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

20, of Sugar Land, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died March 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

19, of Hungry Horse, Montana; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy; died March 7 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

Kathy Taylor said her grandson joined the Army in April and had been in Afghanistan for just over two months when he was killed. He was set to come home on leave in about two weeks. Nicholas was raised by Mrs. Taylorand her husband since he was just 3 years old.

22, of North Bergen, N.J.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Feb. 21 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations.

28, of Knoxville, Tenn.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 230th Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, Louisville, Tenn.; died Feb. 21 in Qayyarah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter had a hard landing. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Billie Jean Grinder.

19, of Orem, Utah; assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died March 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Marine reservist killed in Helmand

21, of Orem, Utah; assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died March 4 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

19, of Redmond, Washington; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

27, of Corinth, Mississippi; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Feb. 27 at Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.

William “Seth” Ricketts wanted to be a soldier ever since he was a little boy, and when terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, he joined the Army the next day.

Ricketts was on his fifth tour of duty and looking forward to getting home for the birth of his third child when he was killed Saturday in Afghanistan, his father said.

Ricketts is the father of two boys — 3-year-old Aiden and 10-month-old Cullen. His third child is due this summer, soon after Ricketts was scheduled to come home. He and his wife, Rosie Jones Ricketts, didn’t know if they were having a boy or a girl and had not picked out a name. But the family affectionately calls the child “peanut” as a nickname, Bill Ricketts said.

24, of Westville, Indiana; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died Feb. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

29, of Hardwick, Vermont; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor Regiment, 42nd Armor Division, Vermont Army National Guard, St. Albans, Vt.; killed Sept. 22, 2005by enemy small-arms fire in Ramadi, Iraq.

McLaughlin was proud to serve his country and also how much he loved the deer, the bear and the moose that live in the mountains around him.

21, of Londonderry, N.H.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 17 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Eric Currier was one of 29 students that graduated from the Londonderry High School Adult Education Program in June of 2007. He was one of four in that class that enlisted in the Military.

Eric’s Brother Brent is in the army stationed in Hawaii, he was also a graduate of the Londonderry Adult Ed program in 2008.

27, of Columbus, Ind.; assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

25, of Henagar, Alabama; assigned to the 561st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Dec. 20, in Bayji, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Tikrit, Iraq.

He had just celebrated his wedding to another soldier earlier this month in Alabama, his family said.

20, of Buffalo, Ky.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Hanson was a rifleman.

19, of Wheaton, Illinois; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed Nov. 9, 2004 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas Larson, enlisted even before he graduated from high school.

“He was doing what he wanted to do. He was a Marine — and a good one,” said O’Sullivan, a World War II veteran and village clerk in the Chicago suburb of Hillside. Larson is survived by his mother, father and younger sister, O’Sullivan said.

19, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 18, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Joanna Johnson, the Lcpl.'s mom said she worried about her third child. The Marine loved the outdoors and a good time and loved his mom so much that he always promised he would someday make sure she no longer had to work. He would buy her a double-block home in California.

Words cannot express the gratitude and prayers we extend that this brave young man laid down his life in service to his country.

20, of Providence, Rhode Island; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 18, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

This brave Marine was the only child of Henry and Melissa Coutu, and had just gotten engaged to Jacqueline DaSilva around Thanksgiving time.

He enlisted one week after his graduation from William E. Tolman High School, where he was captain of the wrestling and football teams, and also played on the hockey team. According to his aunt, Jennifer Durkin, he was everybody's friend at Tolman High School in Pawtucket.

He was someone who embodied school spirit and took great pride in donning a Tolman uniform, and participated in three separate sports while in attendance there.

More than 400 people filled the pews in the Newport Avenue church, with still more standing along the walls and in the back to hear the service. The basement took in 75 more and another hundred or so stood out in the cold wind and rain to honor the young Marine.

They all gathered to remember his life as a son, cousin, friend and Marine who tried to make the world, no matter where he found it, a better place.

As a lone trumpeter played taps, the Marines in uniform throughout the crowd slowly raised their right hands in a final salute, and a squad of seven Marines fired off a 21-gun salute.

22, of Brazil, Indiana; assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; died Feb. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Peak's family said he was patrolling the outer perimeters of a camp in Afghanistan when the explosion happened around 8:30 a.m.

"All we heard was that he was walking the perimeter and was on patrol and stepped on an IED and there was big sand storm and visibility was poor," said Dixie Aerni, Adam Peak's aunt.

Adam's 23-year-old brother Sean is also a Marine serving in Afghanistan in a nearby camp. The family says they were as close as brothers could be. "They were night and day when it comes to their personalities but they would do absolutely anything for each other," said Robyn Peak, Sean's wife.

Adam was two years older than Sean. As young boys it was easy to tell them apart, but in recent pictures the two Marines looked one in the same.

"They joined the Marines the same week, they got out of boot camp within two weeks of each other and both went to Camp LeJeune. They were always together," said Robyn Peak.

25, of Charlotte, North Carolina.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Feb. 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

21, of Dallas, Georgia; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 15 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

21, of Canton, Michigan; assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

21, of Fayetteville, Pennsylania; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

20, of San Benito, Texas; assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Feb. 10 in Baghdad, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations.

23, of Louisville, Kentucky.; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Feb. 9 in southern Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

19, of Hiram, Georgia.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard, Calhoun, Ga.; killed Aug. 15, 2005 when his Humvee accidentally rolled over into a canal in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Thomas J. Strickland and Sgt. Paul A. Saylor.

22, of Traverse City, Michigan.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Feb. 5 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

28, of Rantoul, Ill.; assigned to 293rd Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), Fort Stewart, Ga.; died Oct. 16 near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an IED.

20, of Albuquerque, N.M.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device Feb. 2 in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

29, of Knightdale, N.C.; assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy; died Jan. 19 near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

25, of Westwood, N.J; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

22, of Bowling Green, Ky.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

19, of Hornell, N.Y.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

22, of Towson, Md.; assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Jan. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

19, of Sun City, Ariz.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Jan. 16 in Abad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

Donevski was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

He joined the Army in July 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2009. He is the 39th soldier from Fort Carson killed in Afghanistan; 255 have been killed in Iraq.

23, of Lowell, Mich.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy; died Jan. 13 in Darya Ya, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

25, of Collierville Tenn.; assigned to the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne), 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne), 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 13 at Combat Outpost McClain, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Pfc. Geoffrey A. Whitsitt.

He had served two previous tours of duty — first in Afghanistan, then in Iraq — before he was shipped back to Afghanistan in May.

He leaves behind his wife Rachelle, two sons, 3-year-old Kale Rausch and 3-month-old Daniel Merriweather Jr.

He also leaves his parents, Pamela and Darryl Finnie; and his 14-year-old brother, Darryl Finnie Jr.

22, of Crystal Lake, Illinois; assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Nov. 23, west of Pashmul, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with mortar fire.

Family members say McLeod was deployed to Afghanistan in May and was due to come home on leave in less than a month. They say he was a mechanic who worked on Humvees.

He also served in Iraq in 2007 for about a year. He was a 2006 graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School.

He’s survived by his wife, Aimee Ghannam; a 15-month-old daughter, Jocelyn; his parents and two siblings.

23, of Lakeville, Ohio; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Sept. 20, 2009 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed was Spc. Corey J. Kowall.

Spc. Damon was a medic.

Marine Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe
Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Johnsonville, Illinois; assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; died Jan. 11, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Matthew N. Ingham and Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski.

24, of Crawfordsville, Ind.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Jan. 3, 2010 in Ashoque, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with multiple improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire. Also killed were Sgt. Joshua A. Lengstorf and Pvt. John P. Dion.

Jim Wiens, Smith’s pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Troy, says Smith followed in his brother’s footsteps when he joined the Air Force in November 2006.

Wiens says Smith’s wife had a daughter in October, who Smith didn’t get to meet before he died.

Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi
Operation Enduring Freedom

21, of Bronx, N.Y.; was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 1, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Now Zad, Afghanistan.

Alberto Francesconi graduated high school in 2005 and then got a job with Bank of America. At 18, he was a personal banker.

“But he always wanted to be a pilot and ‘What better foundation than the military,’ he used to say,” said his wife, Cynthia Francesconi. “He always wanted to strive a little bit more — to make it easier for his family.”

20, of DeKalb, Ill.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska; died Sept. 11 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds sustained in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4 when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised-explosive device followed by a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire.

Army Sgt. Albert D. Ware
Operation Enduring Freedom

27, of Chicago, Illinois; assigned to the 782nd Combat Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Dec. 18, 2009 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

20, of Gaffney, S.C.; assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Sept. 10, 2009 from wounds sustained Sept. 3 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Army Pfc. Norman L. Cain III
Operation Enduring Freedom

22, of Oregon, Illinois; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Woodstock, Ill.; died March 15, 2009 in Kot, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Army Spc. Jason M. Johnston
Operation Enduring Freedom

24, of Albion, New York; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Dec. 26, 2009 in Arghandab, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Pearson graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2006. He was described and an outstanding student who was active in ROTC. After graduating he worked at a furniture store and reportedly joined the army because he wanted to see the world.

He was expecting to be deployed to Iraq in January after a trip home to Bolingbrook for the holidays.

Army PFC. Francheska Velez

21, of Chicago, Illinois, Victim of Fort Hood attack. Hundreds of mourners filled a parlor at Montclair Lucania Funeral Home to pay their respects to Pvt. Francheska Velez, who was slain in the Nov. 5 attack at the Texas military post.