In Memoriam

[Grace]

And so it begins -

#1


6 August 2011

US Navy Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange, a Philadelphia-area native, was one of the US troops killed in Afghanistan on 6th August 2011 when a Chinook helicopter he was in was reportedly shot down by enemy forces, killing all on board.

The 25-year-old joined the Navy in 2004 after graduating from High School, and embarked on the career of his dreams. His family told news reporters this was his third combat deployment to Afghanistan.

Fron the Daily Sentinel, Colorado -

If someone was sad, Michael Strange tried to make them smile. He loved snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, running, and shooting guns on the range.

"He loved his friends, his family, his country; he loved making people laugh. He was one of a kind," Strange's brother, Charles Strange III, said outside the family's Philadelphia home, where American flags were planted throughout the neighborhood.

Strange, 25, decided to join the military when he was still in high school, and had been in the Navy for about six years, first stationed in Hawaii and for the last two in Virginia Beach, where he became a SEAL about two years ago, his mother, Elizabeth Strange, told The Associated Press.

But he always told his family not to worry.

"He wasn't supposed to die this young. He was supposed to be safe," Elizabeth Strange said. "And he told me that, and I believed him. I shouldn't have believed him because I know better. He would say, 'Mom, don't be ridiculous and worry so much. I'm safe.'"

Charles Strange said his brother loved the SEALS, especially "the competitiveness, getting in shape and running and swimming and all of that."

He also had two sisters and recently became an uncle. The family last saw him in June, when he came for a weeklong visit for his birthday, his mother said. He was supposed to be back for Thanksgiving.

"It was going to be such a good time," his mother said.

His grandmother Bernice Strange remembered him as a young man who loved cheesesteaks and the Philadelphia Eagles and always brought her flowers.

"He was a wonderful grandson to have," she said Monday night. "God truly blessed me with him."

[Grace]

#2

6 August 2011

US Navy SEAL Aaron Carson Vaughn was killed in action on 6th August 2011 when the Chinook helicopter he was in was reportedly shot down by enemy forces and crashed in Wardak province, Afghanistan, killing all on board.

He was based in Virginia Beach and had served in Guam, Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Aaron Vaughn's grandmother, Geneva Vaughn of Union City, Tennessee, said on Saturday that her grandson, a Tennessee native, had returned to combat just two weeks after his 2-month-old daughter was born this summer.

He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and two children, 2-year-old son Reagan and 2-month-old daughter Chamberlyn.

[Grace]

#3

6 August 2011

US Navy SEAL Tommy Ratzlaff, age 34, from Arkansas was one of the Special Forces troops killed on 6th August 2011 when a Chinook helicopter crashed in Wardak province, Afghanistan, killing all on board.

Local news stations are reporting that Ratzlaff leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young sons.

He joined the US Navy in 1995 after graduating from high school and started training in the SEAL program the following year.

Ratzlaff’s family told local news that they’re "proud of him and his accomplishments," adding "he would have been grateful for all the support he’s getting. He died defending everyone he loved."

From the Daily Sentinel, Colorado -

Thomas Ratzlaff wanted to be a Navy SEAL ever since he was a young boy growing up in Green Forest, Ark.

"He did what he loved and died defending those he loved and those who loved him," his nephew, Jeff Adams, said as he read a statement from the family.

When Ratzlaff visited his hometown in northwest Arkansas, his late father would bring him by the log cabin restaurant where he ordered an egg, sausage and wheat toast every morning.

"The whole town was proud of him," said Loree Blackburn, who runs that restaurant.

Now, the community of 2,700 remembers Ratzlaff with flags flying at half-staff.

Ratzlaff, 34, would have been grateful for the outpouring of support for his family, his nephew said. But he "would want the focus to remain on the cause for which he made the sacrifice, not the sacrifice itself."

He had two sons and a wife expecting their third child — a girl — in November. He also leaves behind a sister and mother.

"As a Navy SEAL team member, my uncle was trained to keep a low profile and to do his job," Adams said.

[Grace]

#4

6 August 2011

Nebraska Army Air Guardsman Sergeant Patrick Hamburger was killed on 6th August 2011 in the Chinook helicopter crash in Wardak province, Afghanistan. The 30-year-old father had only been in Afghanistan for about a week before the incident.


Sgt. Hamburger's stepfather, DeLayne Peck, told local news that his stepson had joined the Air Guard when he was 18, and that he planned to propose to the mother of his 2-year-old daughter when he returned from Afghanistan.

From the Daily Sentinel, Colorado -

Patrick Hamburger planned to propose to his girlfriend, but had a job to do first: a mission in Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old sergeant from Grand Island, Neb., joined the Nebraska National Guard when he was a senior at Lincoln Southeast High School, but this was his first deployment, his brother Chris Hamburger told The Associated Press.

"He didn't have to go, and he wanted to go because his group was getting deployed. He wanted to be there for them. That's him for you," Chris Hamburger said, adding that Patrick always looked out for his two younger brothers and friends.

He was also the kind of guy who helped his girlfriend raise her 13-year-old daughter from another relationship, as well as the couple's own 2-year-old daughter, and planned to propose marriage when he got home, Chris Hamburger said.

Patrick Hamburger had been in Afghanistan less than two weeks and had arrived at Forward Operating Base Shank a few days before climbing aboard the helicopter to rush to the aid of an Army Ranger unit under fire from insurgents.

"It doesn't come as a total surprise that he was trying to help people and that's how it all ended up happening," Chris Hamburger said.

[Grace]

France

French Foreign Legion Corporal Kisan Bahadur Thapa was one of two French Legionnaires killed in action on 7th August 2011 in a battle with enemy forces near the Tagab Valley, Kapisa. He served with 2nd Parachute Regiment Etranger (REP), based at Calvi, Corsica.

Cpl. Thapa joined the Foreign Legion in March 2008 and was assigned to the 2nd REP after his initial training with the 4th Foreign Regiment of Castelnaudary. He was promoted to Legionnaire 1st Class in November 2008, and promoted to Corporal in May this year. He previously served in New Caledonia and Afghanistan.

Described by his superiors as "thorough, calm, a good comrade, and remaining calm and cool in the face of adversity," Cpl. Thapa was destined for further promotion. He held the Bronze Medal of National Defence with staples "Foreign Legion" and "Mission of external assistance," the French commemorative medal with clasp "Afghanistan" and the NATO Medal.

Aged 30, Cpl. Thapa was married with a baby boy.

French Foreign Legionnaire 1st Class Gerhardus Jansen was one of two French Legionnaires killed in action on 7th August 2011 in a battle with enemy forces near the Tagab Valley, Kapisa. He served with 2nd Parachute Regiment Etranger (REP), based at Calvi, Corsica. He joined the 2nd REP in August 2008.

In January 2009, he was promoted to Legionnaire 1st Class. After a mission in Djibouti, Jansen deployed to Afghanistan.

The 24-year-old was awarded the Bronze Medal of National Defence clip "Foreign Legion" and "Mission of external assistance," the French Commemorative Medal clasp "Afghanistan" and the NATO Medal.

[Grace]

#5

6 August 2011

US Navy SEAL, Jason Workman, age 33 from Utah was one of the US troops killed on 6th August 2011 when a Chinook helicopter crashed in Wardak province. Married with a young son, he had been a Navy SEAL for eight years.

Article from his local paper.

[Grace]

#6

6 August 2011

35-year-old US Navy SEAL Matt Mills was killed in action on 6th August 2011 when the Chinook helicopter he was in, crashed in Wardak province. The father of three, from Texas, leaves his wife Keri and their one-year-old son. He also leaves a 13-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son from a previous marriage.

Chief Petty Officer Mills had been in the Navy for almost 14 years and had served on USS Kinkaid. He joined the Navy SEALs around 10 years ago. He had deployed many times to Iraq and Afghanistan prior to this tour.

Local article about CPO Mills.