3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 22 March 2008 OEF
Location: Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. William R. Neil, Jr., 38, was killed in action when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device on March 22 near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, while serving with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force Afghanistan. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror.
Neil, a native of Holmdel, N.J., volunteered for military service and enlisted into the Army in Jan. 1998 as a supply specialist. His first duty assignment was with the 4 th Ranger Training Battalion at Ft. Benning, Ga., from Sept. 1998 through Oct. 2003. He later attended and graduated from Ranger School before attending the Special Forces Qualification Course. In 2006 he earned the coveted "Green Beret."
Neil's military education include; the Total Army Instructor Training Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, six Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Weapons Qualification Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Neil is survived by his parents William Sr., and Patricia, of Holmdel, N.J.; and sisters, Patricia, Barbara, and Veronica.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 14 November 2006
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Tung M. Nguyen, 38, a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, died Nov. 14, 2006, as a result of a gunshot wound during combat operations in Baghdad.
Nguyen was born in Cantho, Vietnam, became a U.S. citizen, and was raised in Tracy, Calif. He enlisted as an infantryman in 1986.
His first assignment was with Company A, 4th Bn., 22d Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served for three years. He then left active duty and served with the Army Reserve in Sacramento, Calif.
In 1991, he reentered active duty, and served with 1st Bn., 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky., for one year before volunteering for Special Forces training.
Nguyen began his journey to become a Special Forces Soldier in 1992 and earned the coveted Green Beret when he graduated from the course in 1993. He was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash., that year and served in all three combat battalions during his tenure there, first as a communications sergeant and then as an intelligence sergeant.
In 2003, Nguyen was chosen to become an instructor at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He served in both instructor and operations positions, preparing Special Forces Soldiers for the rigors of combat, until February 2006 when he was assigned 3rd SFG where he served until his death.
Nguyen's military education also includes the Special Operations and Target Interdiction Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Nuclear Hazards Training Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Basic and Anti-Terrorism Instructor Courses, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses and Combat Lifesaver Course.
Awards: Two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He also was the winner of the 2006 Small Arms Championship Sniper Class competition, and the 2006 Joint Special Operations Command Small Arms Championship Pistol Class competition.
Nguyen is survived by his wife, Marcia of Raeford, N.C. He is also survived by his parents, Nguyen Van Tuan and Phan Cong Duc of Alameda, Calif.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 September 2008 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Jamie S. Nicholas, 32, 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 May 2008 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 second deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha senior weapons sergeant.
Nicholas, a native of Maysel, W.Va., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in Aug. 1994 as an infantryman. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Co. A, 2nd Bn., 327th Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. In 1997 he became a team leader when he moved to Co. C, 1st BN., 508th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at Camp Ederle, Italy. He volunteered for recruiting duty in 2001 and was assigned to the Pittsburgh, Pa. Recruiting Bn. Upon successful completion of that tour, he was assigned as a squad leader when he moved to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 1st Infantry Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course 2005 and he earned the coveted "Green Beret" in 2006 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha weapons sergeant.
Nicholas' military education includes the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Northern Warfare Course, Recruiting Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Combat Lifesavers Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: two Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, U.S. Army Recruiter Badge (gold), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Nicholas is survived by his wife, Michelle, stepson, Brenton Troup and stepdaughter, Sharise Troup, of Hope Mills, N.C., mother Karen Nicholas, and father Burke Nicholas, both of Wallback, W.Va.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 7326
18
Date KIA: 29 May 2008 OEF
Location: Farah Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, 27, was killed in action on May 29, while conducting combat operations in south-west Farah Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 7326 of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 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 his second deployment to Afghanistan.
A native of Marblehead, Mass., Piper graduated from Marblehead High School in 1980. Following graduation he entered the Marine Corps and attended training at Parris Island, S.C.
Nunez, a native of Mexico, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in February 1999 as an Airborne Infantryman. He was initially assigned as an assistant team leader with 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., then as a team leader with Company D, 519th Military Intelligence Company's Long Range Surveillance Detachment. In 2005 he earned the coveted "Green Beret" and was assigned to 3rd Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in August 2005.
Nunez's military education includes; the Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Long Range Reconnaissance Course, Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Nunez is survived by his sons, David Jr. and Julian, of Raeford, N.C.; father, Julian Nunez, of Raeford, N.C.; and mother, Silvia Nunez, of Los Angeles, Calif.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 F
Date KIA: 15 November 2005
Location: Lawara, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 36, a Special Forces intelligence sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, died Nov. 15, 2005, as a result of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device which detonated while Ochsner was riding in an Up-Armored Humvee near Lawara, Afghanistan. He was in the process of distributing supplies to local nationals at the time of the attack.
Ochsner, a resident of Hope Mills, N.C., enlisted as an artilleryman in 1987. His first assignment was with 2nd Bn., 14th Field Artillery in Bamburg, Germany where he served for three years.
Ochsner then reclassified as an infantryman and served in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. where he participated in Operation Desert Storm and completed a tour in the Sinai Peninsula and South Korea before he volunteered as a Special Forces Soldier.
He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2001 and was assigned that year to 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG, as a Special Forces communications sergeant. In 2004, he graduated from the Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course. He then returned to 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG and was serving on his fourth combat tour to Afghanistan as an SF intelligence sergeant upon his death.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal for valor, Army Commendation Medal for service, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badges, and the Special Forces Tab. His posthumous awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, his son, Nicholas, and daughter, Meagan of Hope Mills. His parents, Robert and Sandra, of Beach Park, Ill, also survive Ochsner.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 8 May 2007
Location: Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. Timothy P. Padgett was born on January 13, 1979 in Geneva, Ala. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Padgett was killed May 8 when a combat patrol he was supporting was attached by enemy fighters near Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He died of wounds sustained during the firefight. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2007.
Born in Geneva, Ala., and raised in Defuniak Springs, Fla., Padgett enlisted in the Army March 14, 2003, as a Special Forces candidate. After completing basic and advanced individual training and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., for further training. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7th SFG (A).
Awards: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Dive Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Padgett is survived by his daughter, Summer Lynn of Westville, Fla., mother, Glenda Penton of Defuniak Springs, Fla., and father, Tommy Padgett of Waller, Texas. He is also survived by his sister, Serena Padgett and brother, Rex Padgett both of Defuniak Springs as well.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 23 July 2005
Location: Qal'eh-Ye Gaz, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton was born on February 21, 1980 in Hamburg, Iowa. He was a detachment communications sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He died July 23, 2005, after he was fatally wounded while his patrol was ambushed in the vicinity of Qal'eh-Ye Gaz, Afghanistan.
Palmerton entered the Army in July 2002 as an infantryman. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and was then assigned to the 3 rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in February 2005. Palmerton then deployed to Afghanistan in June 2005.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
NOTEHe was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Palmerton is survived by his mother Mrs. Denise K. Brown of Auburn, Neb., his father, Mr. Steve Palmerton and his sisters, Amanda and Beth.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 12 March 2011 OEF
Location: Kajran, Daykundi, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Dae Han Park, 36, of Lacey, Wash., died after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device March 12, 2011 in the vicinity of Kajran, Daykundi, Afghanistan.
Park was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was Park's fourth deployment in support of overseas contingency operations.
Park, a graduate of Watertown High School in Watertown, Conn., enlisted in the U. S. States Army in February 1998, as an Infantryman.
Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, Park was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.
In 2000, he earned the coveted Ranger Tab and participated in the Best Ranger Competition in 2002. In March 2003 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as a Rifle Squad Leader.
Upon his return from Iraq, Park was assigned as an observer/controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. In 2005, Park volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006.
Park was then assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st SFG (A) Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces communications sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 1333. During his time with 3rd Bn, he completed numerous worldwide missions to include: Bangladesh, Operation Iraqi Freedom VI, Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Cambodia, and India. This was his first rotation to Afghanistan.
Park's military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advanced Leader Course, Ranger School, Air Assault School, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), the Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award) Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist's Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his wife, Mi Kyong Park; his daughters Niyaand Sadie; his parents Joseph and Bonnie Schneider of Thomaston, Conn.; and his sister and brother, Katie and Saejin of Watertown, Conn.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
Date KIA: 11 March 2013 OEF
Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, 28, of Madison, Conn., died Mar. 11, of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pedersen-Keel was commissioned as an Infantry Officer after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 2006. After graduation he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. Following his training, he was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Hood, Texas.
In June 2008, Pedersen-Keel deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months with the 3rd BCT where he served as a company executive officer and platoon leader. Upon completion of the deployment, he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course and language training, he was assigned to the 1st Bn., 3rd SFG (A) as a detachment commander in August 2012. He deployed with the unit to Afghanistan later that year.
His military education includes U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Combatives Level I Course, Sniper Employment Leaders Course, Pathfinder Course, Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course.
Pedersen-Keel's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his parents and sister.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 4th Battalion
ODA: 18 E
Date KIA: 21 July 2012 OEF
Location: Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, 31, of Baltimore, M.D. died when insurgents attacked his patrol in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. This was Pepper's second deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
He graduated from Kenwood High School in 1999 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in January 2000.
Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Md., where he served as an intelligence analyst and deployed in March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pepper entered Active Duty in 2008 and attended Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry squad leader.
In October 2009, Pepper graduated from the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He then completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2011 and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as an SF communications sergeant (18E).
His military education also includes the Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Leader's Course, Warrior Leader's Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Staff Sgt. Pepper’s awards and decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with one oak-leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Special Forces Tab, Expert
Pepper is survived by his spouse, brother and parents.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 574
18 E
Date KIA: 5 December 2001
Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
SFC Daniel H. Petithory, 32, was a Communications Sergeant assigned to ODA 574, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Dan was born in Massachusetts on June 30, 1969. He graduated from Hoosac Valley High School in Massachusetts in 1987. After enlisting as a Military Policeman in September 1987, he served a tour at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
After completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course Dan was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1992. While there Dan served as a Communications Sergeant on both ODA 572 and ODA 574.
During his tenure of military service, Dan participated in contingency operations in Kuwait, Haiti, Africa and throughout Southwest Asia.
Awards: two Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantrymen's Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his parents, Louis and Barbara Petithory; a brother, Michael and a sister Nicole.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 16 June 2005 OEF
Location: Orgun-e, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 43, was born Dec. 20, 1961. He was a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg N. C.
Piper died on June 16, 2005, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, from wounds sustained when an enemy Improvised Explosive Device exploded near his Ground Mobility Vehicle June 3, 2005, during operations in the vicinity of Orgun-e, Afghanistan.
A native of Marblehead, Mass., Piper graduated from Marblehead High School in 1980. Following graduation he entered the Marine Corps and attended training at Parris Island, S.C.
While serving with the Marine Corps, he deployed to Beirut, Lebanon as a scout sniper from February through October 1983, eventually becoming a regimental scout sniper. In 1983, he left active service with the Marine Corps and joined the Marine Corps Reserves.
He entered the Army, April 17, 1995. After numerous assignments, including service with 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, he arrived to 7th SFG (Airborne) in September 2004.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
His wife, Connie, survives him. His two children, Deirdre Margret and Christopher Thomas and their mother, Colleen Egan-Piper of Marblehead, Mass. survive him as well.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 072
18 C
Date KIA: 15 August 2007 OIF
Location: Diyala Province, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli, was killed in action on Aug. 15, while conducting combat operations in the Diyala Province of Iraq, while serving with ODA 072, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Pirelli, 29, of Franklin, Mass., enlisted as an infantryman in Dec. 2003. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2005 and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with 10th SFG (A) Fort Carson, Colo. He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.
Pirelli's military education include the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Arabic Basic (Modern Standard) Language Course.
Awards: two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Pirelli is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy Pirelli, brother Shawn, and sister Stacey, of Franklin, Mass.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA: 313
180A
Date KIA: 15 May 2004
Location: Musa Qalay, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bruce E. Price, 37, a Special Forces assistant detachment commander assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) here, was fatally wounded when his vehicle was struck by small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire during the patrol.
Price, a resident of Fayetteville, N.C., enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986. After serving in a number of assignments, including an overseas tour in Germany, he volunteered for and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1992 as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. After earning his green beret, Price furthered his military education by completing the Air Movement Operations Course, the Jumpmaster Course and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.
Price became a warrant officer in 1998 after graduating from Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Ala., and the Special Forces Warrant Officer Basic Course at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He was assigned to the 3rd SFG on Nov. 21, 1998. He continued his service there with the group's 1st Battalion until his death, participating in one deployment to Kuwait in 2000 and three deployments to Afghanistan beginning in 2002.
His civilian education includes two years of general studies at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.
Awards: Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the 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, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the United Nations Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger tab and the Special Forces tab.
Price is survived by his wife, Renate, and his son, Aidan.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 23 November 2009 OEF
Location: Pashay Kala, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, died on Nov. 23, 2009, after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting a mounted patrol in the Afghan city of Pashay Kala, in support of combat operations while serving with, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 20th 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 third deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. He also served on a deployment to Iraq with 5th SFG (A). He was a Special Forces intelligence sergeant.
Pucino a native of Boston, Mass., and enlisted into the U.S. Army 2002 as a Special Forces candidate. He then went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course and earn the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. He was assigned to 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky., before leaving active duty to become an Army National Guard Soldier assigned to 2nd Bn., 20th SFG, Glen Arm, Md.
Pucino's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, non-commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Pucino is survived by his parents Katherine and Albert Pucino of Orlando, Fla., and sisters Lisa Haglof, Sagamore, Mass., and Melissa Pucino, Plymouth, Mass.
19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 5th Battalion
ODA:
Date KIA: Sep. 21, 2013, OEF
Location: Paktika Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Nevins was born on Sept. 11, 1981, in Middlebury, Vt. Nevins enlisted in the U.S. Army under the delayed entry program prior to his graduation from Bristol Borough High School.
Upon entering active duty, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C. Shortly after being promoted to the rank of sergeant, he deployed with Company A in 2003 as a rifle team leader in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. He completed two more deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005.
Nevins attended Metropolitan State College of Denver from Aug. 2006 to May 2009, after leaving active duty service.
In May of 2009, he enlisted into the Colorado Army National Guard. Nevins attended the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. from Jan. 2010 to Aug. 2011. He was assigned to Co. B, 5th Bn., 19th SFG (A) in Fort Carson, Colo.
His military education includes: United States Army Infantry School, Airborne School, Primary Leadership Development Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course, Ranger School, Special Operations Language Training Arabic Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course as a communications sergeant, and the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course.
His Awards include a Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Bronze Numeral Two, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Colorado Meritorious Service Medal, and the Colorado Active Service Medal.
Nevins is survived by his mother, his father, two sisters, and his fiancé.
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