7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 18 July 2006
Location: Southern Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sgt. Eric Caban was born on March 28, 1978 in Manhattan, N.Y. He joined the Army in September, 1997. After attending Infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as a sniper platoon member and team leader.
In October 2001, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and participated in a combat jump to overtake Kandahar Airfield. He then left active duty to attend college in February 2002. Due to his patriotism and undeniable calling to serve, Caban returned to active duty in September 2003 and was assigned as a Sniper Instructor at Company C, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
In December 2004, he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and graduated in March 2006 as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant. He was subsequently assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N. C.
Caban was a graduate of the Special Forces Engineer Course, Sniper School, the Special Operations Interdiction Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, the U.S. Army Ranger School, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, and Airborne School.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge with a Service Bronze Star.
NOTEHe has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Caban is survived by his father Efren and mother Iris, and his brothers Efren Caban Jr. and Edwin Caban.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA: 2132
18 A
Date KIA: 29 October 2007 OEF
Location: Kajaki, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Major Jeffrey R. Calero, 34, was killed in action on Oct. 29, while conducting a combat patrol in the southern Afghan city of Kajaki while serving with ODA 2132 of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Summer 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Calero, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Queens Village, N.Y. graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory High School in Queens, N.Y. where he excelled in football. Upon graduation he received a partial scholarship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He voluntarily enrolled in ROTC and upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1995 was commissioned as a Infantry 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. In 2001 he earned the coveted "Green Beret."
As a civilian, Calero worked in New York City as a Mechanical Engineer. He was working towards earning his Professional Engineering License to open his own firm.
Calero's military education includes; Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Ranger Course, Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medals, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. He was also authorized the following Commonwealth of Massachusetts awards: Mass. Service Medal, Mass. Defense Service Medal, Mass. Defense Expeditionary Medal and the Mass. Emergency Service Ribbon.
Calero was posthumously promoted to the rank of major.
Calero is survived by his father and mother, Raymond and Roselle Calero both of Queens, N.Y.; brother, Dennis Calero; sister, Irene and sister, Joyce Crespo and three nieces, Amelia, Lauren and Claire.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 10 June 2005
Location: Orgun-e, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Victor H. Cervantes, 27, was a Special Forces weapons 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 10, 2005 in the vicinity of Orgun-e, Afghanistan serving as a member of the Quick Reaction Force responding to enemy contact reports from another patrol.
A native of Stockton, Calif., Cervantes was born Nov. 13, 1977. He enlisted in the Army as a cavalry scout July 24, 1996 under the delayed entry program.
He arrived at Fort Bragg to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in September 1999 to begin the intense training it would take for him to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant. Cervantes was assigned to 7th SFG in August 2000.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Ranger Course, the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Spanish Language Course and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course.
Awards: Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
His parents, Fidel and Nisla of Stockton, Calif., and sister, Elizabeth of California survive him.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18A
Date KIA: 11 August 2005
Location: Tarin Khowt, Afghanistan
Action:
Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler was born on July 25, 1975, in Alabama. He was a Special Forces officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Chandler died August, 11, 2005, while he was preparing for combat operations near Tarin Khowt, Afghanistan. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan.
A resident of Raeford, N.C., Chandler was commissioned in the Army immediately following graduation from North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Ga., in 1997. He majored in history.
He graduated from basic airborne and infantry officer training at Fort Benning, Ga., in 1998 and was assigned as an as an infantry officer with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. He deployed with the battalion to Kosovo in 2000 supporting Operation Joint Guardian.
In 2001, Chandler volunteered for Special Forces. He was selected for and later graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course. Upon completion of Arabic language training in 2003, he was assigned to 3rd SFG here. He earned his military free fall jumpmaster qualification in 2004. Military free fall is an advanced special operations skill.
Chandler's military education and schools include Basic Airborne Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, Military Free Fall Course, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal for valor, three Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab and Ranger Tab. His posthumous awards include the Bronze Star Medal for valor, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
He is survived by his wife Wendy, of Raeford, N.C., his parents, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alan and Jonnie Chandler of Richmond Hill, Ga, and his sister, Alecia Chandler Wilder of Hanford, Ca.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 194
18 E
Date KIA: 4 January 2002 OEF
Location: Khost, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan R. Chapman was a Special Forces Communications Sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 4, 2002, near the town of Khost in Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Chapman was born into a military family at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on April 23, 1970. As with most military children, he called several places "home" during his childhood.
While growing up, he balanced his time between his academic studies, the wrestling team and an active social life. In 1988, he graduated from Centerville High School in Ohio.
Nathan entered the Army in July 1988, completing Basic and Advanced Individual Training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. After that, he also completed his parachutist and Ranger training there.
Following his initial training at Fort Benning, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. In December 1989, he participated in his first combat action when he took part in the 2nd Ranger Battalion's airborne assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause. In January 1991, while assigned to 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, he participated in his second combat action when he deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Storm.
In September 1991, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman volunteered for Special Forces training. In December 1992, he graduated from the Special Forces Communications Sergeants Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., and went on to complete the Basic Military Language Course for Tagalog in June 1993.
In July 1993, he returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., where he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Here, he served on Operational Detachment A-185 and Operational detachment A-195. In 1995 he deployed to Haiti as part of Operation Uphold Democracy.
In 1998, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman was reassigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Okinawa, Japan. He served there for three years as a member of Operational Detachment A-125 and Operational Detachment A-135.
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: Bronze Star with "V" device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with arrow head, the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Service Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Combat Infantryman Badge second award, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Parachutist Combat Badge with bronze service star, the Special Forces Combat Divers Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, and the Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Renae, his daughter Amanda, his son Brandon and his parents Will and Lynn Chapman.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 28 January 2010 OEF
Location: Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Rusty Hunter Christian, 24, of Greenville, Tenn., died when an improvised explosive device exploded during a patrol Jan. 28, 2010 in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Christian's second deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Feb. 4, 2004. Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, he was assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as an infantryman.
In 2008, Christian volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 2009. He was then assigned to 2nd Bn., 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces engineer sergeant.
His military education also includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Defense Language Institute Indonesian Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Citation, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Christian is survived by his wife, Amber Christian and their children, Taylor and Gavin Christian of Orting, Wash. He is also survived by his mother Donna Ball and stepfather Jim Ball of Kingsport, Tenn; his father Michael Christian of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn.; and his brother Aaron Christian of Kingsport, Tenn.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 29 September 2008 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Capt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr., 29, was killed Sept. 29 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Sept. 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his third deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and first deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha team commander.
Cliff was a native of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and was commissioned in June 2002 after graduation from Appalachian State University, Boone N.C. After a variety of infantry positions in the Army he began the Special Forces Qualification Course June 2007 and he earned the coveted "Green Beret" in July 2008.
Cliff's military education includes the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, five Army Commendation Medals (one for valor), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Stacy, and son, Richard, of Sanford, N.C., mother Julie Cliff, and father Richard Cliff, Sr., and brother Eddie Cliff, all of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 741
18 E
Date KIA: 12 August 2007 OEF
Location: Bar Kalakney Village, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt Jesse G. Clowers, Jr., was killed in action on August 12, 2007 near Bar Kalakney Village, Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Clowers, 27, was a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A), Fort Bragg, NC. Clowers, of Lebanon, Va., enlisted as an infantryman in June 2004. He served as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga., upon his enlistment until 2006. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2006 and was assigned as a communications sergeant with Co A, 2/7th SFG (A). He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Afghanistan with Co A, 2/7 th SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Clowers' military education include the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Spanish Basic Military Language Course.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine, son Jesse, and daughter Danielle of Fayetteville, N.C. mother Joyce of Roanoke, Va. and sister Angela of Herndon, Va.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 2 May 2010 OEF
Location: Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman, 40, of Yelm, Wash. died when he stepped on an improvised explosive device on May 02, 2010, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
Coleman was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was his fifth deployment in support of an Overseas Contingency Operation.
Coleman, a graduate of Goldendale High School in Goldendale, Wash., enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 31, 1988, as a Fire Support Specialist.
Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, Coleman was assigned to 2-32 FA in Wiesbaden Germany. Coleman served in numerous fire support assignments at Fort Sill, Okla., Camp Casey, Republic Of Korea and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
In 1999, Coleman volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 2001.
Coleman was then assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He served in the unit from 2001-2006 and completed two rotations to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines.
In 2006, Coleman was selected to participate in the Military Personnel Exchange Program and was assigned to the Australian Special Air Service Regiment. During his time with the Australian SAS, he completed two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
In 2008, Coleman returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and completed a third rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines.
Coleman's military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Ranger School, Mountain Warfare School, Combat Life Savers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Air Assault Course, Jumpmaster Course, Joint Fire Power Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. Coleman earned the Special Forces qualification tab, the Ranger qualification tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Coleman is survived by his wife, Barbie of Yelm, Wash. and their children, Brett of Fort Richardson, Alaska and Jessica of Yelm, Wash. He is also survived by his mother Alice Fay Eshelman of Centerville, Wash., his adoptive-father James Coleman of Wenatchee, Wash. and his father Harley Neal Vermilion of Texas.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1stBn., 3rd SFG (A)
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 23 October 2010 OEF
Location: Wardak province, Afghanistan.
Action: Hostile
Chief Warrant Officer 2, Michael Stephen Duskin, 42, of Orange Park, Fla., died Oct. 23, 2012, of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company A, 1stBattalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Duskin enlisted as a forward observer in the U.S. Army in 1993. After completion of his initial training, at the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 75thRanger Regiment. After serving three years with the 75thRanger Regtiment, Duskin left active duty and later joined the Florida National Guard. He attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 1998. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 3rdBn., 20th SFG (A) as a Special Forces engineer sergeant.
In 2001, Duskin was mobilized to active duty and deployed with the 2ndBn., 3rd SFG (A). After the deployment he returned to active duty and remained a member of the unit. He served with the 2nd Bn. for more than five years, deploying fourtimes before being assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School as an instructor. While serving as an instructor, he attended the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification Course, graduating in May 2010. He was then assigned to the 1stBn., 3rd SFG (A) as an assistant detachment commander in Company A. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in that position.
His military education includesBasic Airborne Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course,Jungle Operations Training Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation TechniquesCourse, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course (SERE), Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Jumpmaster Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course and the Special Forces Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification Course.
Duskin's military awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic ParachutistBadge, and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded another Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 9 May 2007 OIF
Location: Al-Hillah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. Maj. Bradly D. Conner was born on March 5, 1966 in Tacoma, Wash. He was a Special Forces company sergeant major assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Conner died May 9, 2007 from wounds sustained while conducting a combat patrol outside of Al-Hillah, Iraq.
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mar. 2007. This was his fourth deployment to Iraq since 2003.
A native of Tacoma, Wash. and raised in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, Conner enlisted in the Army June 24, 1987 as an ammunition specialist. After completing basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., and advanced individual training at Redstone Arsenal, he was assigned to the 515th Ordinance Company, Redstone Arsenal as his first assignment. In 1992, Conner volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1993, he was assigned to 10th SFG (A) as a Special Forces medical sergeant. He filled several positions in 10th SFG (A) to include 2nd Battalion S3 Operations NCO, Team Sergeant and First Sergeant for HHC.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal Fifth Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Conner is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his son, Aaron, his daughters, Katherine and Rachel, all of Fort Lewis, Wash. He is also survived by his parents William and Kay Conner of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, his brothers Brian and Bruce Conner, and his sister Brenda Day.
19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 8 June 2006
Location: Iraq
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel B. Crabtree, 31, was a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to the Ohio Army National Guard's Company B, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Columbus, Ohio.
He died June 8, 2006, in Iraq after a roadside bomb exploded next to his vehicle during a combat patrol. He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and attached to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.
In civilian life, Crabtree worked as a police officer first in his native hometown of Hartville, and then as a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, unit.
After initially entering military service with the Army Reserve in 1992, Crabtree joined the Army National Guard in 1993 as an administrative specialist. He later retrained as a military policeman and served with the 135th Military Police Company in Brook Park, Ohio. He joined the 19th SFG in March 2002, and in 2003 he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He earned the coveted green beret when he graduated from the course in May 2004.
In Iraq, the work of Crabtree and his Special Forces operational detachment focused primarily on training members of the Al Kut SWAT, an Iraqi police force. Crabtree himself developed and implemented a comprehensive training curriculum for the Iraqi SWAT volunteers, which included advanced marksmanship training, offensive and defensive driving instruction, and urban assault training. As the police force's lead trainer, Crabtree drew on his own experiences as a police officer and SWAT team member to prepare his Iraqi officers to counter both local criminal and insurgent forces. He also assisted the Al Kut SWAT in more than 35 real-world missions as a combat advisor - including six large-scale air assault operations - which resulted in the capture of over 100 known insurgents.
Crabtree's military education also includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Crabtree is survived by his wife, Kathy, and his daughter, Mallory, of the City of Green. He is also survived by his father, Ronald Crabtree and his mother, Judy Ann Crabtree.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA: 18 E
Date KIA: 27 October 2007 OEF-P
Location: Panamao, Philippines
Action: Non-Hostile
Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri, 27, a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash., died in an accidental drowning incident at Siet Lake while deployed to the Southern Philippines region near Panamao, Republic of the Philippines.
He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines. This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Curreri was born and raised in the suburbs of Baltimore. He was a four year varsity letter winner in swimming and founded his high school water polo team. Upon graduation from high school, Curreri attended the University of Southern California. While at USC he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, was a fouryear varsity letter winner in swimming, and was the captain of the Trojans swim team during his senior year. Additionally, he served as the Executive Vice President of USC's Student Athlete Academic Council in 2000-2001. After graduating from USC, Curreri worked as a history tutor, swim coach, and recruiting coordinator for a recruiting agency in El Segundo, Calif.
Curreri's military education include the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course; Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Combat Diver Qualification Course.
In 2000, he began a nearly three-year stint as a force protection officer at Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, and the Special Operations Divers Badge.
Curreri is survived by his wife, Athena, of Los Angeles, Calif.; mother, Karen, and sister, Shannon, of Redondo Beach, Calif.; father, Frank, stepmother, Tricia, and stepsister Angelia of Parkville, Md.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 574
18 Z
Date KIA: 5 December 2001 OEF
Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
MSG Jefferson D. Davis, 39, was the Team Sergeant of ODA-574, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom.
JD, as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Tennessee on October 22, 1962. He graduated from Elizabeth High School in Tennessee in 1981. Dan enlisted as a Medical Specialist in August of 1984 and served in Korea for three years.
After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, JD was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served as a Medical Sergeant on both ODA 562 and ODA 564. After completing a tour as a Senior Instructor at the Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he returned to 5th Group where was selected to be a Team Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion.
During his tenure in military service, JD participated in Operation Desert Storm and numerous contingency operations throughout Southwest Asia.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Military Police Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Purple Heart Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Defense of Saudi Arabia Medal, the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantrymen's Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his wife Mi Kyong, his daughter Christina, his son Jessie, and his parents William and Linda Davis.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
180A
Date KIA: 11 October 2006
Location: Southern Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Chief Warrant Officer Two Scott W. Dyer was born on September 2, 1968, in Alexandria, Va. He was an assistant detachment commander assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He died October 11, 2006, from injuries sustained during combat operations in southern Afghanistan.
Dyer entered the Army in November 1987 from Titusville, Fla. as a cavalry scout. After an assignment to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., he moved to Fort Bragg, N.C., and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1994 as a Special Forces Engineer. Dyer was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group located at Fort Bragg. While at 3rd SFG, he participated in numerous deployments to Africa, Caribbean Islands, Haiti, and the Balkans. In 2002, he was reassigned to 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and participated in deployments to Hungary, Macedonia, Czech Republic and one tour in Afghanistan. He graduated from Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2003 and was reassigned to the 3rd SFG in February 2004. Dyer deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in August 2006.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Dyer is survived by his wife Jodi, son Casey, daughter Sidney, mother Sandra Miller and step-father Steve Miller of Tequesta, Fla., father Carl Dyer of Alexandria, Va., and sisters Tawnia Peterson of Orlando, Fla., and Dawn Hill of Rockledge, Fla.
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