In Memoriam

[Grace]

Australia

26-year-old Private Matthew Lambert, serving with the Australian Townsville-based 2nd Battalion RAR, was killed in action on 22nd August 2011 when a bomb detonated beside his unit while he was conducting a night patrol north-east of Tarin Kot.

Pvt. Lambert was born in Kogarah, New South Wales. He joined the Army in 2005 and served in East Timor in 2009 receiving a number of military honours.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, speaking about Pvt. Lambert, said: "Private Lambert's colleagues described him as a man who excelled at any task he was assigned and a soldier who was proud to serve his country. Matthew was a sniper. A tough specialist in mind and body, one of the most skilled soldiers in one of the most skilled armies in the world."

Private Lambert is survived by his wife, parents and family.

[Grace]

Poland

Polish Army Senior Private Szymon Sitarczuk, age 28, was killed in action on 18th August 2011 in the northern part of Ghazni province. His unit was on patrol when a bomb exploded. The explosion was followed by a gun battle with enemy forces.

Snr. Pvt. Sitarczuk served with 1st Company of Motorised Infantry of "Alfa" Combat Group. He had served in 1st Sappers Brigade since 2004. He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

[Grace]

23 August 2011

US 10th Mountain Division officer, 1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele, from Duxbury, Massachusetts, was killed in action on 23rd August 2011 when a bomb exploded in Kandahar province.

The 25-year-old West Point graduate served with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Drum, New York.

1Lt Steele was commissioned in May 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Medal, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.

1Lt Steele is survived by his wife, child, and his parents.

[Grace]

24 August 2011

US 10th Mountain Division Sergeant Andrew R. Tobin, from Jacksonville, Illinois, was killed in action on 24th August 2011 during a contact with enemy forces involving small arms. The incident occurred in Kandahar province.

24-year-old Sgt. Tobin deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. He previously served in the country from January to December last year. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, New York.

Sgt. Tobin, who joined the army in January 2008, leaves his wife and father.

[Grace]

25 August 2011

Alaska-based Stryker Brigade Pfc. Brandon S. Mullins, age 21, from Owensboro, Kentucky, was killed in action on 25th August 2011 when his unit struck a bomb during a patrol. Pfc. Mullins died from his injuries. The incident occurred in Kandahar province.

Pfc. Mullins, serving with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Wainwright, deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team in April this year.

[Grace]

25 August 2011

20-year-old US Army 10th Mountain Pfc. Jesse W. Dietrich, from Texas, was killed in action on 25th August 2011 in Kandahar province, during a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit using small arms fire.

Pfc. Dietrich served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, New York. He joined the Army in March 2009 and arrived at Fort Drum in July 2010 to join the 10th Mountain Division.

His awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

[Grace]

27 August 2011

US Army Military Policeman, Specialist Michael Christopher Roberts, was killed on 27th August 2011 by an insurgent bomb while conducting operations in Kandahar.

23-year-old Spc. Roberts, from Watauga, Texas, served with the 561st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He joined the Army in November 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in February 2011.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

Spc. Roberts is survived by his parents, David and Kathy Roberts.