In Memoriam

[Grace]

Denmark

Danish Army Konstabel Jacob Sten Lund Olsen, age 22, died on 3rd September 2011 from injuries sustained when an insurgent bomb exploded against his unit.

He was part of a foot patrol near Gereshk, Helmand province, and was evacuated to Camp Bastion field hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Konstabel Olsen joined the Danish Army in August 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in July 2011 with the Hussar Guards Regiment (Gardehusarregimentet).

He is survived by his parents, girlfriend and six siblings.

[Grace]

3 September 2011

US Army Specialist Christopher J. Scott, was killed in action on 3rd September 2011 when his patrol unit came under enemy fire. The incident occurred in Kandahar province.

The 21-year-old Military Policeman, from Tyrone, New York, was serving with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. This was his first overseas deployment. He deployed two months ago.

[Grace]

31 August 2011

24-year-old US 10th Mountain Division Specialist Kevin R. Shumaker died from rabies on 31st August 2011 whilst being treated for the disease in a US hospital.

Spc. Shumaker joined the Army in February 2009 and served as a cook with the 615th Military Police Company in Afghanistan from May 2010 to May 2011. He returned to Fort Drum, New York, in August this year.

It is thought that Spc. Shumaker contracted the disease overseas but this is currently under investigation. The Army said he did not contract the disease in New York.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon, according to the Army.

Spc. Shumaker is survived by his mother and stepfather.

Note: He is included in this thread because of his service in Afghanistan.

[Grace]

4 September 2011

US Army Private 1st Class Christophe J. Marquis, died in Germany at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on 4th September 2011. He had been transferred to the hospital from Afghanistan where he was critically injured by a bomb blast in Kandahar on 27th August.

40-year-old Pfc. Marquis, from Tampa, Florida, served with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

After joining the Army in April 2010, he transferred to Alaska in February 2011 on completion of training. He deployed to Afghanistan in April this year.

[Grace]

September 2011

US civilian engineer James Coker


US engineer James W. "Will" Coker was murdered in eastern Kabul after he went missing last week. Some news sources suggest he was kidnapped. His body was found on Monday 5th September.

An Afghan military official told CBS News that the body had been beheaded. However, a Western official in Kabul told the press that Mr. Coker had been strangled. His body was discovered in a cave in hills near the outskirts of Kabul.

Mr. Coker was working in Afghanistan as a construction contractor for the US Army Corps of Engineers. His family, in Charleston, South Carolina, were notified by military officers of his death on Monday.

Article from his local newspaper.

[Grace]

France

French paratrooper Lieutenant Valery Tholy, aged 36, was killed in action on 7th September 2011 during a battle with enemy forces in the village of Mobayan, Kapisa province. In an intense exchange of fire, which involved rocket-propelled grenades and artillery, several French Paras and a French journalist were wounded.

Lt. Tholy, married with three children, served with the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment based in Montauban. He joined the French Army in 1997 and completed officer training in 2007. He joined the 17th RGP in 2008.

During his 13 years of service, Lt. Tholy served in Yugoslavia, Cote d'Ivoire, Central African Republic and Djibouti. He deployed to Afghanistan in August this year.

Described as a seasoned, experienced soldier, he commanded his unit to the highest standards.

[Grace]

2 September 2011

32-year-old US Army Corporal Chester Gerhardt Stoda from Black River Falls, Wisconsin, died on 2nd September 2011 while scuba diving at Kauai, Hawaii. He was on leave from duty in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Stoda joined the Army in February 2008 as a combat engineer. He was serving with the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade and had deployed to Afghanistan in December 2010.

His awards and decorations include the Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons and a Combat Action Badge.

Cpl. Stoda was included because he was on leave from active duty in Afghanistan at the time of his death.