In Memoriam

[Grace]

21 November 2011

20-year-old US Army 10th Mountain Division Private Jackie L. Diener II, was killed in action on 21st November 2011 in Kandahar province during an exchange of fire with enemy forces.

Pvt. Diener, from Boyne City, Michigan, served with the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment. He joined the Army in March this year and transferred to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, in July. He deployed to Afghanistan in September.

Pvt. Diener's grandmother, Donna Diener, told reporters that he was eager to join the military. "This is something he chose. He wanted to do it. He wanted to serve his country."

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge.

[Grace]

26 November 2011

US Marine Corporal Adam J. Buyes died on 26th November 2011 in Helmand province during combat operations.

21-year-old Cpl Buyes, from Salem, Oregon, was serving with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, based at Okinawa, Japan. The US Department of Defense announced that the incident leading to his death is being investigated.

Article from local paper.

[Grace]

England

British Army Rifleman Sheldon Lee Jordan Steel, from 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 RIFLES), was killed in action on 27th November 2011 during a foot patrol in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. He was caught in the blast from an insurgent bomb.

20-year-old Rifleman Steel, from Leeds, joined the Army in November 2009 and completed his training in April 2010. He then joined 5 RIFLES based at Paderborn, Germany. He underwent extensive training on the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and took part in a six-week, vehicle-mounted exercise in Canada in late 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Copinger-Symes, Commanding Officer 5 RIFLES, said: "Rifleman Sheldon Steel was a special blend of physical robustness, sharp intellect, old-fashioned politeness, and natural leadership flair – all underscored by a quiet confidence and understated ambition."

Rifleman Steel leaves behind his mother Victoria, sisters Cody and Carys and brother Kameron.

[phesina]

Thank you so much, Gretchen, for keeping on with these sad postings. God bless you.

[Grace]

21 November 2011

US Army Sergeant 1st Class Dennis R. Murray, from Red Broiling Springs, Tennessee, was killed in action on 21st November 2011 when an insurgent bomb detonated in Kandahar province.

38-year-old Sgt. Murray was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas. He joined the Army in September 1991 as an armored crew member. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

[Grace]

30 November 2011

US Marine Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Bell, was killed on 30th November 2011 during combat operations in Helmand province.

28-year-old Sgt. Bell, from Detroit, Michigan, joined the Marine Corps in 2001 after graduating from high school and was on his second combat deployment when he was killed. He had previously served in Iraq.

He was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

[Grace]

3 December 2011

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Ryan D. Sharp, 28, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Dec. 3, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Nov. 21 at Kandahar province, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.