10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 13 September 2011 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams, assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Stuttgart, Germany, was killed in action in Afghanistan, Sept. 13.
Adams, a native of Oregon, joined the Army in 1995 as an infantryman, where he served with distinction while assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga., followed by exemplary service with 1st Bn., 501st Infantry and 1st Bn., 23rd Infantry at Fort Lewis, Wash. After his assignment at Fort Lewis, Adams earned the Green Beret in 2005. His first Special Forces assignment was as a senior medical sergeant with the 3rd SFG (A) at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 2009, he joined 1st Bn., 10th SFG (A), where he served on a Special Forces team. He was killed in action while conducting combat operations with his team in Afghanistan.
Adam's military education includes Airborne School, Jungle Warfare School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Adam's duty stations include Fort Benning, Fort Lewis, Fort Bragg, and Stuttgart, Germany.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp (4 Loops), the National Defense Service Medal with 1 service star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with the Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Expert Infantryman's Badge.
He is survived by his wife Melany, his two sons Jeffrey and John, and his daughter Skye.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 3 June 2005
Location: Orgun-e, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Leroy E. Alexander, 27, was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg N. C.
He was killed in action while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on June 3, 2005, when an enemy Improvised Explosive Device exploded near his Ground Mobility Vehicle during operations in the vicinity of Orgun-e, Afghanistan.
A native of Dale City, Va., Alexander entered the Army in August 1997 and completed One Station Unit Training, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. After completing airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., in April 1998, he was assigned to 27th Engineer Battalion, at Fort Bragg, in support of XVIII Airborne Corps.
Following completion of Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Alexander arrived at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in October 2002 to begin the more than two years of intense training it would take for him to become a Special Forces engineer sergeant. He was assigned to the 7th SFG in June 2004.
Alexander's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Spanish Language Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Mountain Course.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Alexander is survived by his wife, Marissa; and parents, Ronald and Felicia Alexander of Manassas, Va.
Assignment: USASOC
ODA: 18
Date KIA: 24 December 2005
Location: Baquoba, Iraq / KIA
Action: Hostile
MSG Andres died in Balad, Iraq, on Dec. 24, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Baqubah, Iraq, when his unit was attacked with enemy small arms fire during combat operations in central Iraq.
Master Sgt. Joseph J. Andres, Jr., 34, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command here, died of injuries he sustained during the attack.
A native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, Andres graduated from Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio, and enlisted in the Army Reserve as a combat medic on Feb. 18, 1992. On April 21, 1993, he volunteered for active duty service and was assigned as a combat medic to the 42nd Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, Wiesbaden, Germany. He later served as a medical noncommissioned officer in A Company, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, and as a Special Forces communications noncommissioned officer in A Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash. Andres has been assigned to USASOC since Dec. 2003.
His military training includes the U.S. Army Airborne Course, the U.S. Army Ranger Course, the Military Freefall Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Static Line Jumpmaster Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course.
Andres’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Field Medic Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Driver/Mechanics Badge. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant.
Andres is survived by his parents, Joseph and Sandra Andres, of Seven Hills, Ohio.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 29 May 2011 OEF
Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Martin R. Apolinar died May 29 while on a mounted patrol when the vehicle he and his Special Forces team were traveling in struck an IED in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was born Dec. 31, 1982 and grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. He graduated from the Trevor Browne High School in 2001
Apolinar enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 and served as an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served as a rifleman, machine gunner and team leader.
He successfully completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selections course and entered the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. Upon completion of the SFQC, he was assigned to Co., 3rd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2008 where he served as the senior Special Forces weapons sergeant for an Operational Detachment - Alpha.
Apolinar deployed twice, first in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, and now this deployment to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) with Company C.
His military education includes: Warrior Leader's Course, U.S. Army Combatives Course Level 1 and 2, Combat Life Savers Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, and Advance Leader's Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Overseas Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutists Badge. He earned the Special Forces Tab and Ranger Tab.
Apolinar is survived by his wife Elisa; his son Martin, and his parents Gene and Susan Apolinar of Prescott, Ariz.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 20 August 2013 OEF
Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Master Sgt. George A. Bannar Jr., 37, of Orange, Va., died Aug. 20 of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Bannar's fifth deployment to Afghanistan.
Bannar enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army in October 1996, completing his medical training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then attending the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of his initial training, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. While serving in the 82nd he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and began his Special Forces training in 2001.
In July 2003, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG (A). Bannar served in the 1st Bn. for five years, deploying with the unit to Afghanistan four times. In August 2008, he was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) and stationed in Yuma, Ariz., where he worked at the Military Free Fall School as an instructor. In October 2012, Bannar returned to the 3rd SFG (A) and was assigned to the 3rd Bn.
Bannar earned an Associate's Degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from Campbell University. His military education includes Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Advanced Leaders Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, Military Free Fall School, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster School, Advanced Military Free Fall Parachutist School, Basic Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Bannar's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device , Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, Air Assault Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge, Royal Netherlands Army Parachutist Badge, Venezuelan Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
He is survived by his wife and his parents.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 12 September 2003 OIF
Location: Ar-Ramadi, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class William M. Bennett was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Sept. 12, 2003 near the town of Ar-Ramadi in Iraq.
A native of Tennessee, Bennett was born on March 18, 1968. He entered the Army in December 1986 and completed bridge crewmember training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. His first assignment in the Army was to the 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Belvoir, Va.
Bennett completed Army diver training in 1989 at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center at Panama City, Fla., and was then assigned to the 7th Engineer Detachment, Fort Kobbe, Panama, where he participated in combat actions during Operation Just Cause.
After deploying to Saudi Arabia in 1991 to participate in Operation Desert Storm, Bennett volunteered for Special Forces training in 1992. In 1994, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He went on to study Arabic at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, N.C.
He was assigned to the 5th SFG in July 1995, where he participated in numerous overseas deployments to include combat operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with valor device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, the Second Class Diver Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Military Freefall Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the United Arab Emirates Parachute Badge.
Bennett is survived by his wife, Allison; his son, Seth; his aunt and uncle, Mike and Carolyn Wood; and his parents, Leonard and Kathleen Bennett.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 20 February 2009 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Jeremy E. Bessa, 26, was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting a mounted combat reconnaissance patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team communications sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and first deployment to Afghanistan.
Bessa, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in April 2002 as a combat medic trainee. After basic and advanced individual training and Airborne School he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., in January 2003. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom September 2003.
Bessa attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection prior to being assigned to John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C., in May 2005 for Special Forces training. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in March 2007 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Bessa's military education includes the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
In June 2001, he returned to 3rd Battalion and became a member of Operational Detachment A-194. In November 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman volunteered for a special mission in Afghanistan, where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Awards: Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Medics Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Bessa is survived by his wife Lindsey and their son Carson of Fayetteville, N.C.; parents Ted and Julie Bessa of Whispering Pines, N.C and brother Christopher L. Bess, Fort Carson, Colo.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 26 October 2009 OEF
Location: Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, died on Oct. 26, 2009, when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while conducting a combat mission in the city of Darreh-Ye Bum, Afghanistan while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the War on Terror.
Bishop a native of Medford, N.Y., enlisted into the U.S. Army in April 2003 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to 1st Bn., 506th Infantry Regiment, Camp Grieves, Korea. He later served with 1st Bn., 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division before deciding to pursue the goal of becoming a Special Forces Soldier in 2007 by attending the Special Forces Selection and Assessment. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course October 2008 and earned the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 7th SFG (A).
Bishop's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Bishop is survived by his wife Margaret of Flagler Beach, Fla. and parents Robert and Suzan Bishop, of Carlisle, Pa.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 23 April 2011 OEF
Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Master Sgt. Benjamin F. Bitner was born July 4, 1973, in Hagerstown, Md. and was a 1991 graduate of Greencastle Antrim High School in Greencastle, Pa.
Bitner enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991 and attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 1999. Later that year he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as an engineer sergeant.
He joined Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2003.
He deployed in support of various operations across the globe, including but not limited to: Operation Flintlock, Africa, 2001; Operation Nectar Bend, Africa, 2004; Task Force Falcon in support of operations in Kosovo, 2001 - 2002; Operation Desert Spring, Kuwait, 2002; Operation Iraqi Freedom and four deployments to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) with Company C.
His military education includes: Track Vehicle Repairers Course, Single Channel Ground Airborne Radio Systems Operator Course, Basic Infantry Course, Basic Airborne Course, Long Range Surveillance Leader's Course, Warriors Leader Course, Special Forces Engineer Sergeant's Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer's Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer's Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Special Forces Sniper Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Technique's Course, Special Forces Master Breacher's Course, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant's Course, Military Free-Fall Course, both Summer and Winter Basic Mountain Warfare Courses and the United States Army Special Operations Command Mountaineering Master Trainer's Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal (6); Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal (2); Army Commendation Medal (3) with "V" device; Army Achievement Medal (3); Army Good Conduct Medal (4); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3); National Defense Service Medal (2); Kosovo Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terror Service Medal; Non-commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (3); Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal (4); Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman's Badge; Parachutists Badge; Military Free-Fall Badge.
Bitner is survived by wife April, sons Gunnar and Rogue; and parents Roger and Beverly Bitner of Greencastle, Pa.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 May 2011 OEF
Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo died May 29 while on a mounted patrol when the vehicle he and his Special Forces team were traveling in struck an IED in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was born March 19, 1986, in Riverside, Calif. He volunteered for military service and entered in the Army in July 2004 as an infantryman (11B).
After completing basic training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Blasjo was assigned to 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) where he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in December 2006 as a Special Forces communications sergeant. Upon completion of SFQC, he was assigned to Group Support Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Blasjo has deployed to three times Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His military education includes: Basic Infantry Course, Warrior Leader's Course, Advance Leader's Course, Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Pistol Marksmanship, SOC AM General Driving Course, Special Forces Qualification's Course, Special Forces Communication Sergeant's Course, and Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal; Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutists Badge.
He is survived by wife Crystal, son Talon; and parents Daniel and Bobbi Blasjo of Riverside, Ca.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 16 September 2009 OEF
Location: Ghur Ghuri, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt.1st Class Bradley S. Bohle, 29, died on Sept. 16, after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, while conducting a mounted patrol in the Afghan city of Ghur Ghuri, in support of combat operations while serving with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. He also deployed twice to the Philippines. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Bohle, a native of Baltimore, Md., enlisted into the U.S. Army 1998 as an Information Systems Operator. He was assigned to 2nd Bn., 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He later served with 112th Signal Battalion (Airborne) and 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) before deciding to pursue the goal of becoming a Special Forces Soldier in 2006 by attending the Special Forces Selection and Assessment. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course March 2008 and earned the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces medical sergeant. He was assigned to Co. A, 3rd Bn., 7th SFG (A).
Bohle's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Bohle's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Bohle is survived by his wife Elizabeth and three daughters Jocelyn and Braelyn of Sanford, N.C., Breanna, of Clinton, Conn. and parents Donald and Linda Bohle, of Marydal, Md.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA: 18 B
Date KIA: 1 September 2012
Location: Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Staff Sgt. Jeremie S. Border, 28, of Mesquite, Texas, died September 1, 2012, by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
Border was assigned to Company Alpha, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Okinawa, Japan and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom- Afghanistan.
Border graduated from Mesquite High School in 2002 and attended college at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas earning his Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Communications in 2006.
He entered the Army in 2006 as an infantryman, where he completed basic training, advanced individual training and basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. In 2006 he was assigned to 1-17th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
In 2008, Border was selected during the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course as a SF weapons sergeant, and learned Indonesian at the Special Operations Forces Language Course at the United States Army John F. Kennedy Warfare Center and School.
He was originally assigned to Company Bravo, 1st Bn., 1st SFG (Airborne), Okinawa, Japan in 2009 and was assigned to Company Alpha prior to his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
Border's military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Warrior Leader's Course, the Advanced Leader's Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course and the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantry Badge and the Army Parachutist Badge.
He has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Afghan Campaign Medal.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Lynne Border, and sister, DeLaynie Kaye Roberts of Mesquite, Texas.
For further information, media should contact the Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office during duty hours at 910-643-8438 or after duty hours at 910-429-4165.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
MOS: 18E
Date KIA: 25 April 2012 OEF
Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Action:
Staff Sgt. Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo, 26, of San Jose, Costa Rica, died April 25, 2012, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force
Base, Fla., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo was born on June 24, 1986, in San Jose, Costa Rica. He graduated from Royal High Simi High School in Valley, Calif., and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005 as an 18X.
Britton-Mihalo completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and earned the coveted "Green Beret" in 2008 as a Special Forces communications sergeant. Britton-Mihalo’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, the Advanced Leader’s Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Intelligence course.
Britton-Mihalo's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge.
Britton-Mihalo is survived by his wife Sgt. Jesse Britton.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 17 April 2008 OIF
Location: Sama Village, Iraq
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown, 29, was killed in action in the early morning hours on April 17 when he was struck by small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Sama Village, Iraq. He was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He was on his second combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terror with 3rd Bn., 5th SFG(A).
Brown was born in Texas and his military records list his home of record as Magnolia, Texas. He volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army on March 25, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. He would go on to earn the coveted "Green Beret" in 2004.
His military education includes the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Jumpmaster Course, Free Fall Parachutist Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course and Advanced Explosive Techniques Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global on War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.
Brown is survived by his daughter, Alyssa Gomez, of Cypress, Texas; mother, Rosemary, and father, James, of Cartwright, Okla.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 6 November 2006
Location: Panjwayi, Kandahar
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class William R. Brown, 30, a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C., died Nov. 6, 2006, when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near his Humvee in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar.
A native of White Settlement, Texas, Brown enlisted in June 1994 as an infantryman. His first assignment was with 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., where he served for seven years. He held numerous positions there, to include squad leader and operations sergeant.
Brown then successfully completed a two-year tour in Dallas, Texas, as a recruiter. He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and was assigned in October 2005 to 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG (A), as a weapons sergeant, where he served until his death.
His military education included the Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Pathfinder Course, Jungle Warfare School, Recruiting Management Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course Basic Combat Training, and Advanced Individual Training for Infantryman.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with V (valor) device, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, U.S. Army Recruiter Badge (silver), Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his wife, Audra, stepson, Trenton and daughter Emily of Hope Mills, N.C. His mother, Anita Walton, of Boyd, Texas, also survives him.
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