In Memoriam

[Grace]

31 July 2011

US Marine Sergeant Christopher M. Wrinkle, age 27, from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, died in Afghanistan on Sunday 31st July 2011. Sgt. Wrinkle, who holds two Purple Hearts, was engaged to be married to Elizabeth Cunnings.

He graduated from Dallastown Area Senior High in 2001 and had spent almost ten years serving with the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command based at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Major Jeffrey Landis, public affairs officer of the special operations command, told local news reporters.

[Grace]

31 July 2011

US Marine Staff Sergeant Patrick R. Dolphin, from Moscow, Pennsylvania, died in Afghanistan on Sunday 31st July 2011.

The 29-year-old graduated from North Pocono High School in 2000 and joined the Marine Corps just before his 18th birthday, completing his basic training in 2001.

Staff Sgt. Dolphin had previously served two tours of duty in Iraq. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan.

[Grace]

2 August 2011

Oklahoma National Guard Staff Sgt. Kirk Owen, age 37, was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 2nd August 2011 from the blast of a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle during a mine-sweeping operation, according to a family spokesman.

Staff Sgt. Owen, from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was on his second combat tour in Afghanistan, serving with the 45th Infantry. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

[Grace]

England

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Marine James Robert Wright, from Juliet Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Nad 'Ali (North), was killed in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan on Friday 5 August 2011.

Ministry of Defence statement

[Grace]

About time -

Army Announces Nine Month Deployment Period

The Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today a change in the length of future unit operational deployments from 12 months to nine months. This change will be fully implemented by April 2012, and applies to division-level-and-below units. This policy will not affect personnel or units currently deployed or deploying prior to Jan. 1, 2012. The deployment period for high demand and low density units and individual deployers will remain one year.

The reduced deployment length will improve soldier and family quality of life while continuing to meet operational requirements and is an important step in sustaining the all-volunteer-force. This policy change is consistent with secretary of defense policies for utilization of the total force. Implementation of this change is based on the projected demand for Army forces, and is contingent on global security conditions and combatant commander requirements.

[Grace]

3 August 2011

24-year-old US Army Specialist Barun Rai, from Silver Spring, Maryland, died on 3rd August 2011 from injuries received when a patrol vehicle overturned in Logar province, Afghanistan.

Spc. Rai, originally from Nepal, served with the 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, based at Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany.

[Grace]

3 August 2011

10th Mountain Division Private 1st Class Gil I. Morales Del Valle was one of two US Army soldiers killed from the blast of an insurgent bomb that detonated against their patrol vehicle in Wardak province. He died on 3rd August 2011.

21-year-old Pfc. Morales Del Valle, from Jacksonville, Florida, served with the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment based at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He joined the Army in February 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010.

10th Mountain Division Private 1st Class Cody G. Baker was one of two US Army soldiers killed from the blast of an insurgent bomb that detonated against their patrol vehicle in Wardak province. He died on 3rd August 2011.

19-year-old Pfc. Baker, from Holton, Kansas, served with the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment based at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He joined the Army in June 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in November 2010.

His awards include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, among others. Army officials said Pfc. Baker is survived by his mother and stepfather.