In Memoriam

[phesina]

Update on post #1691 - Army Private Danny Chen - he may have committed suicide following abuse by others in his unit.




Read full story at DNAinfo.com Manhattan Local News

How awful.

All these deaths are awful, but this one even more so.

[Grace]

13 October 2011

US Army 10th Mountain Division Spc. Jeremiah "Jerry" T. Sancho was killed in action on 13th October 2011 when enemy forces detonated a bomb against his unit in Kandahar province.

23-year-old Spc. Sancho, from Palm Bay, Florida, was serving with the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, New York. He deployed to Afghanistan in April this year.

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

His wife, RaiAnne, posted this farewell message to him on her Facebook page: "Jerry I miss you. I love you so much baby. I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you, but I know you’re watching over me. I love you and was proud to be your wife."

Article with photo from local paper.

[Grace]

15 October 2011

Gurkha Rifleman Vijay Rai

Rifleman Vijay Rai from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed in action in Helmand province on 15th October 2011. His unit was protecting a checkpoint in Nahr-e-Saraj district when they were attacked by enemy forces. Rifleman Rai died from gunshot wounds.

Rifleman Rai was born in Bhojpur District, Deaurali, in the East of Nepal in August 1990. After passing the infamous Gurkha Selection, he joined the British Army in December 2008. He was posted to 2 RGR in Brunei when he finished his basic training.

On 14th October, his Company deployed with members of the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) and soldiers from the 1 RIFLES to a checkpoint in an area known to have a strong insurgent presence. Next day, Rifleman Rai was in position on the roof of the checkpoint when enemy forces attacked with small arms fire. Rifleman Rai was hit in the opening burst. He was given medical care on the ground and evacuated to Bastion hospital by helicopter but sadly he later died of his wounds.

Rifleman Vijay's family said: "Our family is shocked with the news of Vijay's death in Afghanistan on 15th October 2011. He was the youngest son. He followed his father's and brother's footsteps as his father and elder brother served as Indian Gurkhas and his middle brother is serving with Indian Gurkhas as a Sergeant. He rang his family a day before he was taken away from us.

"He was very proud to be a Gurkha, and died doing his chosen job. His father and family members are very proud of him."

[Grace]

13 October 2011

Hawaii-based US Army Staff Sergeant Houston M. Taylor, from Texas, was killed in action on 13th October 2011 when enemy forces attacked his unit in Kunar province.

25-year-old SSgt. Taylor served with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Married to his childhood sweetheart and father to two children, he had been in the Army since 2005. He joined the 2nd Battalion in March 2010 and was assigned as a section leader.

His medals and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal 2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal 3 OLC, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, NATO Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.

[Grace]

2011 Foreign Fatalities

* Australia: 7

* Azerbaijan: 6

* Canada: 3

* Czech: 1

* Denmark: 3

* Estonia: 1

* Fiji: 1

* Finland: 1

* France: 23

* Georgia: 4

* Germany: 7

* Hungary: 2

* Italy: 8

* Jordan: 1

* Nepal: 4

* New Zealand: 3

* Norway: 1

* Poland: 8

* Romania: 3

* Spain: 4

* Sweden: 1

* UK: 36

* US: 367

[Grace]

Korea

POW/MIA Talks Begin with North Korean Officials

A delegation from the United States will meet in Bangkok on Oct. 18 to begin negotiations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on resuming recovery of the remains of American servicemen missing in action from the Korean War.

Robert J. Newberry, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/missing personnel affairs, will lead negotiations with a team including representatives from the Department of State, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the U.S. Pacific Command and the United Nations Command-Korea.

The talks will only address the issue of resuming remains recovery of missing U.S. servicemen from the Korean War. Accounting for Americans missing in action is a stand-alone humanitarian matter, not tied to any other issue between the two countries.

Of the approximately 83,000 Americans missing from all conflicts, more than 7,900 are from the Korean War with 5,500 of those believed to be missing in the DPRK.

[Grace]

7 September 2011 - better late than never

Cmdr. James Kevin Crawford

From: East Concord, New York
Age: 50
Unit: Assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, supporting operations at the Combined Maritime Forces Coalition Coordination Center in Bahrain

Died as a result of cardiac arrest after he collapsed while exercising at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, in Manama, Bahrain.