In Memoriam

[Grace]

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

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11 August 2011

Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Okla., 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 local paper.

[Grace]

France

French Army Lieutenant Camille Levrel, from the 152nd Infantry Regiment (152 RI) was killed in action on 14th August 2011 after being shot by enemy forces during a mission in Kapisa.

The 36-year-old officer was married with three children. He had served the French Army for 14 years. During that time, he served in Germany, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Chad and Kosovo. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. He deployed to Afghanistan on 31st May this year as part of Operation "Pamir".

Lt. Levrel was awarded the Gold Medal of National Defense (Infantry), among other medals during his career.

Lt. Levrel was described as being highly motivated with a serious and professional attitude.

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Great Britain

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lieutenant Daniel John Clack, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on 12 August 2011.

Ministry of Defence statement

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14 August 2011


Bataan Death March survivor Albert Brown, at age 105


Link to article

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13 August 2011

Oklahoma Army National Guard officer, 2nd Lieutenant Joe L. Cunningham from Kingston, Oklahoma, died in Laghman province on 13th August 2011 from injuries injuries sustained in what the military call a non-combat related incident.

27-year-old 2Lt. Cunningham served with the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment and was commissioned last year. He had previously served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006. He enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard two months after the 9/11 attack.

Lt. Col. Max Moss of the Oklahoma Army National Guard said about 2Lt. Cunningham: “After earning the rank of sergeant and demonstrating outstanding character and leadership potential, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. He will be greatly missed by all of us in uniform that knew him and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they cope with his loss,”

2Lt. Cunningham's awards include the Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.