In Memoriam

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Active-Duty Army suicides reach record high
Source

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16 January 2012

48-year-old US Contractor Todd Walker was one of three aircrew members killed on 16th January 2012 in a helicopter crash in Helmand province. Mr. Walker was employed by AAR Airlift, a US company contracted to work in Afghanistan for the US Department of Defense. He had flown helicopters for 27 years all across the world.

His parents talked about their son to local news. "He loved the Lord and that was first in his life. After that, his wife and his three kids. He adored his family," his mother Jan said. "He lived on the edge. That's what I always tell everybody. He lived on the edge all his life."

His father Darrell said "He liked people. He liked to travel. He wasn't afraid to do anything."

Todd Walker leaves behind a loving wife, three kids, a sister, and his parents.

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16 January 2012

51-year-old US Contractor Michael Clawson was one of three aircrew members killed on 16th January 2012 in a helicopter crash in Helmand province.

Mr. Clawson was employed by AAR Airlift, a US company contracted to work in Afghanistan for the US Department of Defense.

According to a local news report, Mr Clawson leaves behind his wife and five children.

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15 January 2012

The US Department of Defense has announced the death of Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, who was injured in combat operations in Balkh province on 9th January 2011.

34-year-old Sgt. Wise died on 15th January 2011 at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany where he had been medically evacuated to following the incident. His unit had been attacked by enemy forces with small-arms fire.

Sgt. Wise, from Little Rock, Arkansas, served with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

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15 January 2012

20-year-old US Marine Lance Corporal Kenneth E. Cochran, from Idaho, was one of two Marines killed in action on 15th January 2012 during combat operations in Helmand province.

L-Cpl Cochran served with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Okinawa, Japan. He deployed to Afghanistan in November 2011.

L-Cpl. Cochran is survived by his father, former U.S. Marine George Cochran of Wilder; his mother, U.S. Army Captain Julia Cochran; sister, U.S. Army Specialist Joyce Cochran; brother George (Geo) Cochran; and sister Michael Cochran.

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15 January 2012

22-year-old US Marine Corporal Jon-Luke Bateman, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was one of two Marines killed in action on 15th January 2012 during combat operations in Helmand province.

Cpl. Bateman served with the California-based 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He joined the Marine Corps in February 2008. This was his first combat deployment.

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal for International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan.

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Six US Marines were killed on 19th January 2012 when their helicopter crashed during an operation in Helmand province. The six, all serving with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii were identified as:


Capt. Daniel B. Bartle (27) from Washington.
Capt. Nathan R. McHone (29) from Illinois.
MSgt. Travis W. Riddick (40) from Iowa.
Cpl. Jesse W. Stites (23) from Maryland.
Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard (25) from New Jersey.
Cpl. Joseph D. Logan (22) from Texas.