Fallen Soldiers

 

2003

Updated 1/1/04

 


 

They proudly served their country.
Now, they proudly serve with angel's wings.

                    CT Dawson
                    January, 2002

                     

 

In memory of those that gave their lives in this war on terrorism.

 2003
 

 

 

 

 

DOD Release December 31, 2003

Spc. Justin W. Pollard, 21

Foothill Ranch, Calif.

2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Died on Dec. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq as a result of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

  

 

DOD Release December 30, 2003

Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco, 28

Texas

1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

 

Killed on Dec. 28, in Qaryat Ash Shababi, Iraq conducting a support mission
when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

  

 

DOD Release December 29, 2003

Pvt. Rey D. Cuervo, 24

Laguna Vista, Texas

1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Polk, La.

 

Killed on Dec. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq was on a mounted patrol when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

 

Sgt. Curt E. Jordan, Jr., 25

Green Acres, Wash.

14th Combat Engineer Battalion (Corps) (Wheeled), 555th Combat Engineer Group, based in Fort Lewis, Wash.

 

Died on Dec. 28 near Bayji, Iraq. Jordan died of non-combat injuries.

 

 

DOD Release December 28, 2003

Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis, 18

San Jose, Calif.

270th Military Police Company, 49th Military Police Battalion, 100th Troop Command, California Combat Support Command, Army National Guard, based in Fairfield, Calif.

 

Died on Dec. 26, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of injuries sustained in a
non-combat vehicle accident at the Baghdad International Airport.

  

 

DOD Release December 27, 2003

Spc. Charles G. Haight, 23

Jacksonville, Ala.

14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Group, based in Fort Lewis, Wash.

 

Killed on Dec. 26, 2003, in Iraq in a convoy vehicle which struck an improvised explosive device.

 

Staff Sgt. Thomas W. Christensen, 42

Atlantic Mine, Mich.

652nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Ellsworth, Wis.

Staff Sgt. Stephen C. Hattamer, 43

Gwinn, Mich.

652nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Ellsworth, Wis.

 

Killed on Dec. 25 in Baquba, Iraq, when their living area came under mortar attack.

 

 

DOD Release December 26, 2003

Sgt. Theodore L. Perreault, 33

Webster, Mass.

1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Army

National Guard, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

 

Died of non-combat related injuries on Dec. 23, 2003, in Camp Bulkeley, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

 

 

Maj. Christopher J. Splinter, 43

Platteville, Wis.

5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, based in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Capt. Christopher F. Soelzer, 26

South Dakota

5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, based in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Sgt. Benjamin W. Biskie, 27

Tucson, Arizona.

5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, based in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

 

Killed on Dec. 24, when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device
on Highway One near Samarra, Iraq.

 

Command Sgt. Major Eric F. Cooke, 43

Scottsdale, Ariz.

1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based in Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany.

 

Killed on Dec. 24, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq in a convoy vehicle
that struck an improvised explosive device.

 

Sgt. Michael E. Yashinski, 24

Monument, Colo.

501st Forward Support Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy

 

Died of injuries sustained while running a communication wire on Dec. 24, 2003, in Kirkuk, Iraq.

  

 

DOD Release December 23, 2003

1st Lt. Edward M. Saltz, 27

U.S. Army Reserve, of Bigfork, Mont.

to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Giessen, Germany.

Pfc. Stuart W. Moore, 21

Livingston, Texas.

2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Giessen, Germany.

 

Killed on Dec. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck their convoy.

  

 

DOD Release December 22, 2003

Pfc. Charles E. Bush Jr., 43

Buffalo, N.Y.

402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Riverdale Park, Md.

 

Killed on Dec. 19 in Balad, Iraq in a convoy when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

 

Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, 24

Pittsfield, Mass.

2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y.

 

Died on Dec. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq during physical training.

  

 

DOD Release December 18, 2003

Spc. Christopher J. Holland, 26

Brunswick, Ga.

Battery A, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Smith Barracks, Germany.

 

Killed on Dec. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq. Holland was part of a dismounted patrol
when his unit was ambushed with small arms fire.

  

 

DOD Release December 17, 2003

Spc. Nathan W. Nakis, 19

Corvallis, Ore.

Company B, 52nd Engineer Battalion (Heavy), Army National Guard, based in Albany, Ore.

 

Died on Dec. 16 in Mosul, Iraq in a convoy returning to Mosul
when he lost control of his vehicle after driving through an oil-soaked area.

  

 

DOD Release December 16, 2003

Pfc. Kenneth C. Souslin, 21

Mansfield, Ohio

440th Signal Company, 22nd Signal Brigade, V Corps, Darmstadt, Germany.

 

 Died Dec. 15 at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq of non-combat related injuries.

  

 

DOD Release December 15, 2003

 Spc. Rian C. Ferguson, 22

Taylors, S.C.

Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based in Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Died Dec. 14, 2003, outside forward operating base Quinn, Iraq.
Ferguson fell from the light medium tactical vehicle in which he was a passenger.

 

Staff Sgt. Kimberly A. Voelz, 27

Carlisle, Pa.

703rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment based in Fort Knox, Ky.

 

Killed Dec. 14, 2003, in Iskandariyah, Iraq responding to an explosive ordnance disposal call
when an improvised explosive device detonated.

 

Sgt. Jarrod W. Black, 26

Peru, Ind.

1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment based in Fort Riley, Kan.

 

Killed Dec. 12, 2003, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq when the convoy was hit by an IED.

 

 

DOD Release December 14, 2003

Pfc. Jeffrey F. Braun, 19

Stafford, Conn.

Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, N.C. 

 

Died Dec. 12, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq. Braun died from a non-hostile gunshot wound.

  

Spec. Marshall L. Edgerton, 27

Rocky Face, Ga.

Company A, 82nd Signal Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

 

Killed Dec. 11 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq when his camp was attacked with an improvised explosive device.

 

 

DOD Release December 12, 2003

Spc. Todd M. Bates, 20

Bellaire, Ohio

135th Military Police Company, Army National Guard based in Brookpark, Ohio

 

Bates was on a river patrol on the Tigris River south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10
when his squad leader fell overboard, he dove into the water and did not surface.
Bates has been placed in duty status listed as DUSTWUN (Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown).

  

 

Staff Sgt. Richard A. Burdick, 24

National City, Calif.

Company C, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Killed Dec. 10 in Mosul, Iraq in a convoy when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

 

 Staff Sgt. Aaron T. Reese, 31

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

135th Military Police Company, Army National Guard based in Brookpark, Ohio 

 

Died Dec. 10 south of Baghdad, Iraq on a river patrol on the Tigris River when he fell overboard.

 

Pfc. Jerrick M. Petty, 25

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Company B, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Killed Dec. 10 in Mosul, Iraq While guarding a gas station, Petty was attacked by enemy forces.

 

 

DOD Release December 11, 2003

 

 Staff Sgt. Steven H. Bridges, 33

Tracy, Calif.

1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. 

Spc. Joseph M. Blickenstaff, 23

Corvallis, Ore.

1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Spc. Christopher J. Rivera Wesley, 26

Portland, Ore.

1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

 

Killed on Dec. 8 in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, when their vehicle flipped into a canal.

  

 

DOD Release December 9, 2003

 Pfc. Ray J. Hutchinson, 20

League City, Texas

2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Killed Dec. 7 in Mosul, Iraq, returning from a patrol when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.  

 

Pfc. Jason G. Wright, 19

Luzerne, Mich.

1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Killed Dec. 8 in Mosul, Iraq on security duty when his vehicle came under fire from a passing vehicle.

 

 

DOD Release December 8, 2003

 Spc. Arron R. Clark, 20

Chico, Calif.

440th Signal Battalion, 22nd Signal Brigade, V Corps, based in Darmstadt, Germany. 

 

 Killed on Dec. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq on a convoy mission when an improvised explosive device detonated.

  

 

DOD Release December 4, 2003

Sgt. Ryan C. Young, 21

Corona, Calif.

A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment,

1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan.

 

Died on Dec. 2 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.,
of wounds he received Nov. 8 in Fallujah, Iraq when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

 

Chief Warrant Officer Clarence E. Boone, 50

Fort Worth, Texas

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.

 

Died on Dec. 2 in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Boone died as a result of a non-combat related injury.

 

 

DOD Release December 3, 2003

Spc. Raphael S. Davis, 24

Tutwiler, Miss.

B Company, 223rd Engineer Battalion, Army National Guard, based in Calhoun City, Miss.

 

Killed Dec. 2 in Tampa, Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

 

 

DOD Release December 1, 2003

Spc. Aaron J. Sissel, 22

Tipton, Iowa

2133rd Transportation Company, Army National Guard, based in Centerville, Iowa.

 

Killed on Nov. 29 in Haditha, Iraq traveling in a convoy when his vehicle was hit by enemy fire.

 

Staff Sgt. Stephen A. Bertolino, 40

Orange, Calif.

Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Killed on Nov. 29 in Haditha, Iraq traveling in a convoy when his vehicle was hit by enemy fire.

 

 

DOD Release November 29, 2003

Sgt. Ariel Rico, 25

El Paso, Texas

3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell

 

Killed on Nov. 28 in Mosul, Iraq during an enemy mortar attack.

 

 

DOD Release November 26, 2003

Spc. David J. Goldberg, 20

Layton, Utah

C Company, 52nd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), U.S. Army Reserve, 43rd Area Support Group, based in Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Died on Nov. 26 in Qayyarah, Iraq of a non-combat related injury.

 

 

DOD Release November 26-27, 2003

MH-53M helicopter accident in Afghanistan on Nov. 23

Sgt. Major Phillip R. Albert, 41

Terryville, Conn.

2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y.

Tech. Sgt. William J. Kerwood, 37

Houston, Mo.

20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Maj. Steven Plumhoff, 33

Neshanic Station, N.J.

58th Operations Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Walkup Jr., 25

Millville, N.J.

20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Tech. Sgt. Howard A. Walters, 33

Port Huron, Mich.

20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

 

 

DOD Release November 25, 2003

CW2 Christopher G. Nason, 39

California

A Company, 306th Military Intelligence Battalion, Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.

 

Died on Nov. 23 between Mosul and Dihok, Iraq of injuries sustained in a vehicular accident.

 

Cpl. Darrell L. Smith, 28

Otwell, Ind.

D Company, 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, based in Washington, Ind.

 

Died on Nov. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq when his vehicle overturned and fell into a river.

 

Spc. Robert D. Roberts, 21

Winter Park, Fla.

A Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Armstrong Barracks, Germany.

 

Killed on Nov. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq when a tank collided with his vehicle.

 

 

DOD Release November 24, 2003

Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Wilson, 45

Thomson, Ga.

1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Rel A. Ravago IV, 21,

Glendale, Calif.

1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

 

Killed when hostile forces attacked the vehicle they were in on Nov. 23 in Mosul, Iraq

 

Staff Sgt. Eddie E. Menyweather, 35

Los Angeles, Calif.

Company C, 588th

Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (Mech), based in Fort Hood, Texas.

 

Died on Nov. 23 in Baqubah, Iraq of injuries after an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

 

Pfc. Damian S. Bushart, 22

Waterford, Mich.

A Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Armstrong Barracks, Germany.

 

Died on Nov. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq of injuries sustained when a tank collided with his vehicle.

 

Cpl. Gary B. Coleman, 24

Pikeville, Ky.

B Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mech), based in Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Killed on Nov. 21 in Balad, Iraq on patrol when the vehicle he was driving flipped
over into a canal trapping him inside the vehicle.