In Memoriam

[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.

[Grace]

Great Britain

It is with regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Steven Thomas Dunn from 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron, attached to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment Battlegroup, was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday, 21 December 2010.

Ministry of Defence statement