In Memoriam

[Grace]

12 December 2010

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of six soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Dec. 12 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Cpl. Sean M. Collins, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

Cpl. Willie A. McLawhorn Jr., 23, of Conway, N.C.

Spc. Patrick D. Deans, 22 of Orlando, Fla.

Spc. Kenneth E. Necochea Jr., 21, of San Diego, Calif.

Spc. Derek T. Simonetta, 21, of Redwood City, Calif.

Spc. Jorge E. Villacis, 24, of Sunrise, Fla.

They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

[Grace]

14 December 2010

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

Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez, 19, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Dec. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[Grace]

15 December 2010

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

Staff Sgt. Justin E. Schmalstieg, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pa., died Dec. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

[Grace]

Looking back to post#1138, Ethan Goncalo might have died from a spider bite.

From the ProJo -

Report: Spider bite may have killed Fall River soldier
11:03 AM Thu, Dec 16, 2010

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- A spider bite may have killed Pfc. Ethan Goncalo, whose death from non-combat causes is being investigated by the Army.

The Fall River Herald-News reports that Jay Barresi, the manager of his Goncalo's Legion baseball team, says the military told the Goncalo family on Saturday that their son's death might have been from a spider or scorpion bite.

Maj. Lisa Ahaesy, public affairs officer for the Massachusetts National Guard, told the newspaper that she is unaware that this is being viewed as a possible cause of death. She said the results of the Army's investigation will be released at a later date.

[Grace]

Medal of Honor recipient

Medal of Honor Recipient Melvin E. Biddle Passes Away at 87


Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during World War II

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Private First Class Melvin E. Biddle, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2010 at his home in Anderson, Indiana at age 87.

Melvin received his Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony from President Truman on October 12, 1945. During the ceremony President Truman whispered to him, "people don't believe me when I tell them I'd rather have one of these than be president."

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, Pfc. Biddle's intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties.

He was born in Daleville, IN where he attended elementary school and then on to high school in Anderson, IN.

Melvin Biddle is survived by his wife Leona and many other family members. Funeral services are pending. There are 86 recipients alive today.

[Grace]

15 December 2010

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

Spc. Sean R. Cutsforth, 22, of Radford, Va., died Dec. 15 at Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

[Grace]

Army Releases November Suicide Data

The Army released suicide data today for the month of November. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 11 potential suicides: none have been confirmed as suicides, and 11 remain under investigation. For October, the Army reported nine potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, two have been confirmed as suicides, and seven remain under investigation.

During November 2010, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were five potential suicides: none have been confirmed as suicides, and all five remain under investigation. For October, among that same group, there were 17 potential suicides. Of those, six were confirmed as suicides and 11 are pending determination of the manner of death.

"The holiday season is a special time of year, as family and friends gather together and experience the activities, excitement and joy these celebrations offer. Members of the Army family should recognize that it's easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even anxious. For some, the holidays bring stress, angst and feelings of depression," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force.

“Coping with loneliness, deployment or the absence of friends or relatives can be upsetting and especially painful during the holiday season. Leaders and first-line supervisors should be aware of the risk factors and be on the lookout for changes in the behavior of those around them and recognize that those who need care and support are typically the least likely to seek assistance. We must continue to watch out for each other and be aware of the potential risk factors and warning signs. Our battle buddies, families, friends and co-workers need our support and understanding. Don't be afraid to get involved. Use the ACE (Ask-Care-Escort) model to provide assistance. A visit or even a phone call can make an enormous difference," Philbrick said.

[Grace]

17 December 2010

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

Lance. Cpl. Jose L. Maldonado, 21, of Mathis, Texas, died Dec. 17 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

[Grace]

France

Capt. Benoît Dupin

From: France
Age: 34
Unit: 3e Compagnie, 2e Régiment Etranger de Génie, Légion étrangère (3rd Company, 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment, French Foreign Legion)
Died: December 17, 2010

Killed when a detachment of French, U.S., Romanian and Afghan soldiers engaged in a reconnaissance operation at the entrance to Alasay Valley were attacked by insurgents with small-arms fire in Kapisa province, Afghanistan.

[Grace]

16 December 2010

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

Cpl. Sean A. Osterman, 21, of Princeton, Minn., died Dec. 16 from wounds received Dec.14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[Grace]

Canada

CEFCOM NR – 10.020 - December 19, 2010

OTTAWA — One Canadian Forces member was killed yesterday, December 18th, 2010, after an improvised explosive device detonated while on operations in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar Province, at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time.

Killed in action was Corporal Steve Martin, 24, from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, serving with 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our fallen soldier during this difficult time. We will not forget the sacrifice of this soldier as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province.

Canada in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces, the Afghan authorities and ISAF partners remain committed to providing Afghans the necessary support to build a self-sustained society improving the security situation in order to set confidence-building conditions for reconstruction and development in the region.

Together, in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF allies, Joint Task Force Afghanistan continues to maintain the initiative in Panjwa'i and Dand Districts.

Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the death of Corporal Steve Martin

December 19, 2010

OTTAWA - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today on the death of Corporal Steve Martin in Afghanistan.

“I would like to express my deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and friends of Corporal Steve Martin, who died as the result of an improvised explosive device strike while on patrol in Afghanistan.

The UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission to Afghanistan remains a challenging one, but the Canadian Forces continues to serve and sacrifice, alongside our international partners, in order to help the Afghan people achieve security and stability following decades of conflict. The Canadian Forces face this difficult task, in an extremely harsh environment, with courage and honour, and serve as a representation of Canadian values to the world.

Corporal Martin was an extraordinary Canadian who will always be remembered for the ultimate sacrifice he paid for this nation.”

[Grace]

France


Petty Officer Jonathan Lefort, who died for France

[Grace]

18 December 2010

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

Cpl. Eric M. Torbert Jr., 25, of Lancaster, Pa., died Dec. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

[Grace]

19 December 2010

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

Pfc. Conrado D. Javier Jr., 19, of Marina, Calif., died Dec. 19 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

[Grace]

21 December 2010

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

Lance Cpl. William H. Crouse IV, 22, of Woodruff, S.C., died Dec. 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.