In Memoriam

[Grace]

Harry Patch, 17 June 1898 – 25 July 2009

Harry Patch was England's last surviving soldier from WWI. (There is a sailor from the British Navy still alive.)

His funeral was yesterday. You can read about it here.

[Grace]

6 August 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan:

Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, 22, of Farmingdale, N.Y.

Lance Cpl. Travis T. Babine, 20, of San Antonio, Texas.

Cpl. Christian A. Guzman Rivera, 21, of Homestead, Fla.

Sgt. Jay M. Hoskins, 24, of Paris, Texas.

Argentine, Babine and Hoskins were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Guzman Rivera was assigned to the 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

[Grace]

7 August 2009

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

Capt. Matthew C. Freeman, 29, of Richmond Hill, Ga., died Aug. 7 while supporting combat operations in Kapisa province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

[Grace]

8 August 2009

Staff Sgt. Tara J. Smith, 33, of Nashville, N.C., died Aug. 8 in Bagram, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident that occurred Aug. 4 at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan,. She was assigned to the 50th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

[Grace]

8 August 2009

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

Spc. Matthew K.S. Swanson, 20, of Lake Forest, Calif., died Aug. 8 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over July 19 in Logar Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

[Grace]

7 August 2009

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

Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Burrow, 23, of Naples, Fla., died Aug. 7, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[Grace]

8 August 2009

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


Lance Cpl. Javier Olvera, 20, of Palmdale, Calif. died Aug. 8, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.