In Memoriam

[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.

[Grace]

8 September 2011

US Army Specialist Koran P. Contreras, from Lawndale, California, was one of two 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in action on 8th September 2011 when an insurgent bomb detonated while they were on patrol. The incident happened in Kandahar.

21-year-old Spc. Contreras served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York. He joined the Army in April 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. He previously served in Iraq in 2009.

He was previously awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Family survivors include his wife and mother.

[Grace]

8 September 2011

US Army Private 1st Class Douglas J. Jeffries Jr, from Springville, California, was one of two 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in action on 8th September 2011 when an insurgent bomb detonated while they were on patrol. The incident happened in Kandahar.

20-year-old Pfc. Jeffries joined the Army in November 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York.

He graduated from Porterville High School in 2009. School Principal, Connie Owens, commented to local news, "It takes a special kind of individual to serve his country and I believe he was that kind of individual." Pfc. Jeffries was the son of Doug Jeffries of Springville and Evelyn Jeffries of Las Vegas.

[Grace]

9 September 2011

US Army Private 1st Class Tony J. Potter Jr., from Okmulgee, was one of three Oklahoma National Guard servicemen killed in action on 9th September 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan, during an engagement with enemy forces involving small-arms fire.

20-year-old Pfc. Potter joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 2010 and was promoted in May this year. He was serving with the 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, based in Tulsa. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

His wife, Emily, is pregnant with their first child. The couple were married last December.

[Grace]

9 September 2011

US Army Specialist Christopher D. Horton, from Collinsville, was one of three Oklahoma National Guard servicemen killed in action on 9th September 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan, during an engagement with enemy forces involving small-arms fire.

26-year-old Spc. Horton joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 2008 and was qualified as a sniper. He was serving with the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, based in Tulsa. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

[Grace]

9 September 2011

US Army Sergeant Bret D. Isenhower, from Lamar, was one of three Oklahoma National Guard servicemen killed in action on 9th September 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan, during an engagement with enemy forces involving small-arms fire.

26-year-old Sgt. Isenhower joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 2006 and was promoted to Sergeant in March this year. He was serving with the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, based in Tulsa. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan but he served in Iraq in 2007.