In Memoriam

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Charles P. Murray, Jr.
Medal of Honor Recipient

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., August 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday, August 12, 2011 in Columbia, South Carolina at age 90.

Charles received his Medal of Honor in Salzburg, Austria, presented by Lt. Gen. Geoffrey Keyes, Commanding Gen. U.S. II Corps. on July 5, 1945.

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy by commanding Company C, 30th Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near Kaysersberg, France, on 16 December 1944, while leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory, Murray fired from an exposed position, disorganizing the enemy ranks and forcing their withdrawal. He then moved with his patrol to secure possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock, capturing enemy troops while sustaining injuries.

Charles Murray is survived by his wife Anne and many other family members. Funeral services are pending. There are 84 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

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11 August 2011

US Army Specialist Patrick L. Lay II, from Bradenton, Florida, was killed in action on Thursday 11th August 2011 while on combat operations in Afghanistan.

21-year-old Spc. Lay died from injuries he sustained in a bomb blast. He was an infantryman serving with the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York.

His mother, Stefenie Hernandez, told local news: “My son gave his life for his country so we can live free and continue to have what we have,” She went on to say that “He was fun-loving. He liked to joke. He was a very, very sweet child.”

He was engaged to Joann Steiff, also 21. They were planning to marry next year.

Article from local paper

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11 August 2011

27-year-old US Army Specialist Rueben Lopez, was killed in action on Thursday 11th August 2011 when a bomb detonated beside his patrol in southern Afghanistan. He served with the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York.

Spc. Lopez joined the Army on 10th August 2010 and was killed in action one year and one day later. Before he enlisted in the Army, Spc. Lopez, from California, was an active member of the Williams Neighborhood Church and graduated from Williams High School in 2002.

Spc. Lopez leaves his parents Gloria and Reuben Lopez, his four sisters, Monica, Kelly, Leticia and Renee and his grandparents Margaret Del Rio, and Alex and Rita Estrada of Colusa.

Article from local paper.

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11 August 2011

US Army Spc. Jameel T. Freeman was killed in action on 11th August 2011 when his patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

The 26-year-old Baltimore native is survived by his wife and two children.

Article from the Baltimore Sun.

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11 August 2011

19-year-old US Navy Hospitalman Riley Gallinger-Long was killed on 11th August 2011 in Helmand province during a foot patrol with a US Marine unit in Marjah district.

The sailor, from Cornelius, Oregon, graduated from Forest Grove High School last year. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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Army Released July Suicide Data

The Army released suicide data today for the month of July. Among active-duty soldiers, there were 22 potential suicides: three have been confirmed as suicide and 19 remain under investigation. For June 2011, the Army reported nine potential suicides among active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, three cases have been confirmed as suicide, and six cases remain under investigation.

During July 2011, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 10 potential suicides: none have been confirmed as suicide and 10 remain under investigation. For June 2011, the Army reported five potential suicides among not-on-active-duty soldiers. Since the release of that report, one case has been added for a total of six cases. Four cases have been confirmed as suicide, and two cases remain under investigation.

“Every suicide represents a tragic loss to our Army and the nation. While the high number of potential suicides in July is discouraging, we are confident our efforts aimed at increasing individuals’ resiliency, while reducing incidence of at-risk and high-risk behavior across the force, are having a positive impact,” Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army, stated. “We absolutely recognize there is much work to be done and remain committed to ensuring our people are cared for and have ready access to the best possible programs and services.”


One who could no longer deal with his demons.

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11 August 2011

Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, N.Y. Died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Article from NBCNY