5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 30 December 2005
Location: Balad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Ayman A. Taha was born on July 2, 1974, in Sudan. He was a trained Special Forces Engineer noncommissioned officer assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Campbell, Ky.
He died in an explosion Dec. 30, 2005, while preparing to dispose of enemy munitions discovered near Balad, Iraq during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A resident of Clarksville, Tenn., Taha was a native of Sudan.
Taha entered the Army in August 2002 under the 18X program. This program allows selected individuals to enlist directly for Special Forces Training as a result of preexisting unique skills. He was an Arabic speaker. He began his Army career by completing Basic Infantry Training and Airborne School, both at Fort Benning, Ga.
In 2003, Taha began training at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he completed the Special Forces Engineer Sergeant's Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Non Commissioned Officers Course. He was later assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, Ky., in January of 2005. He served as a member of a Special Forces Operational Detachment-A or A-Team.
Taha's civilian education consisted of a bachelor's of science in economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1997 and a master's in economics from the University of Massachusetts in 2001.
Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Two Device, the Special Forces Tab and the Parachutists Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Taha is survived by his wife, Geraldine and his daughter, Sommer, both of Tennessee. His parents, Abdel-Rahman and Amal Ali both of Virginia, also survive him.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 12 August 2004
Location: Najaf, Iraq
Action: Hostile
CPT. Michael Yury Tarlavsky, 30, was a Special Forces officer assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Tarlavsky, a native of New Jersey, was born on May 5th, 1974.
He was fatally wounded in action on Aug. 12, 2004 in Najaf, Iraq when his unit came under small arms fire and grenade attack.
He entered the Army in July of 1996 as an infantry officer and completed the Special Forces Qualifications Course at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2001. He then moved to his first assignment as a detachment commander in Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th SFG. He has deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Ribbon. He also earned the Air Assault and Parachutist Badges, as well as the Ranger Tab.
Tarlavsky is survived by his wife Tricia and their 10 month-old son, Joseph Michael, both of Clarksville, Tennessee.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 15 July 2008
Location: Mosul, Iraq
Action: Non-Hostile
Staff Sgt. Textor deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula. This was his first deployment in support of the War on Terror.
Textor, a native of Jamestown, N.Y., attended Randolph Central High School where he competed in football, wrestling and track. He volunteered for military service in May 2002 as an infantryman.
Upon completion of his initial entry training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Textor began the Special Forces Qualification Course in May 2005, and he earned the coveted "Green Beret" in November 2006. He was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 1st SFG (A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha weapons sergeant.
Textor's military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral "2" device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
SSG. Textor was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal and Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge (all are reflected in the in the awards and decoration section above).
Textor is survived by his wife, Colette, and their five children Caleb, McKenna, Ryan, Boden and Jadon of Olympia, Wash., his father Bill Textor, of Pine City, Minn., his mother and stepfather, Jennie and Kevin Lindberg of Roanoke, Va., and his five sisters, Laurie, Michelle, Terra, Karen and Kellie.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA:27 April 2007 OEF
Location: Shindand, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sergeant Michael D. Thomas was born on November 29, 1972 in Athens, Ga. He was a weapons sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Thomas died April 27, 2007 from wounds sustained while conducting a combat patrol south of Shindand, Shindand District, Herat Province, Afghanistan. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Mar. 2007.
A native of Seffner, Fla., Thomas enlisted in the Army Jan. 22, 1991 as a military police officer. After completing advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Ala., he was assigned to Camp Casey, Korea. During the next 13 years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility within the Military Police Corps eventually becoming a squad leader. In 2004, Thomas volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
During his tenure of military service, Dan participated in contingency operations in Kuwait, Haiti, Africa and throughout Southwest Asia.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Thomas is survived by his wife Teresa, son Craig, daughter Diana and granddaughter Alexis. He is also survived by his parents Bob and Debbie Kirkpatrick of Thonotosassa, Fla, sister Krista Bridwell and her husband Jaye, sister Cassie Kirkpatrick and Aunt Cheryl.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 3334
18 A
Date KIA: 29 January 2010 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action:
CPT David J. Thompson, 39, died Jan. 29, 2010, in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Thompson was commander of Operational Detachment Alpha 3334, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and held that position since January 2009. This was Thompson's third deployment in support of OEF.
He also served in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti as well as multiple state humanitarian assistance deployments with the North Carolina National Guard.
He enlisted in 1989 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He then went on to attend Advanced Individual Training as a radio operator at Fort Gordon, S.C. Early in his career, Thompson served as a radio telephone operator and team chief for the Regimental Signal Detachment, 75th Ranger Regiment and subsequently, communications sergeant for the Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
From 1995 to 1998, he served in Alaska as a rifle squad leader and platoon sergeant with 1st Bn., 501st Parachute Infantry Regt. He later served as a staff noncommissioned officer with the Command Operations Center, U.S. Army Alaska. While attending East Carolina University, from January 1999 to May 2002, he served with the 514th Military Police Company (North Carolina Army National guard).
In May 2002, Thompson completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from ECU and was commissioned as a chemical officer. Following his Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., as the division chemical logistics officer. In March 2003 he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and served as a battle captain and rifle platoon leader during Operation Enduring Freedom. From June 2004 to November 2005 he served as the battalion adjutant and rear detachment commander.
From August 2008 to December 2008 he served as executive officer for Company C, 3rd Bn., 3rd SFG (A) and held that position until taking command of ODA 3334 in January 2009.
Thompson's military education consists of the U.S. Army Airborne School, Ranger school, Free Fall Parachutist course, Basic Military Mountaineering course and the Chemical Officer Basic course.
Awards: Bronze Star medal with "V" device, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, Ranger Tab.
Thompson is survived by his wife, Emily, their two daughters, Isabelle and Abigail of Pinehurst, N.C, parents Charles and Freida Thompson of Hinton, Okla., and sister Alisa Mueller.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 12 September 2009 OIF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Non-Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Duane A. Thornsbury died from injuries as a result of a non-hostile vehicle rollover during a combat mission in Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2009. He was medically evacuated to the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad where he was pronounced dead.
Thornsbury, 30, assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colo., was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.
Thornsbury, a native of Clinton, Md., grew up in Bridgeport, W. Va., enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves April 1996 as a 92Y, Supply Specialist and came onto active duty service September 2002. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, earning his Green Beret in 2006, as a Weapons Sergeant.
Thornsbury's military education includes the Combat Life Savers Course, Warrior Leader Course, Air Assault Course, Basic Airborne Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, & Escape (High Risk), Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, and Jumpmaster School.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Senior Parachutists Badge, Parachutists Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Thornsbury is survived by his brother Dana of Marysville, Pa.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 7 November 2007 OIF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Capt. Benjamin Tiffner, 31, was killed in action when his vehicle encountered an IED in the course of conducting a ground convoy in Baghdad. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha team leader assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula. This was his second deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Tiffner, a native of Ohio, graduated from the United States Military Academy as an infantry officer in 2000. In 2006 he earned the coveted "Green Beret."
Tiffner's military education includes; Infantry Officers Basic Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course; Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Tiffner is survived by his parents, Timothy and Judith of Soldotna, Alaska.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 12 August 2009 OEF
Location: Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
CPT. Tinsley 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 and first deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment- Alpha team commander.
Tinsley was a native of New Jersey, and was commissioned in August 2002 after graduation from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. He was assigned to the 1st Bn., 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo. He was then later assigned to the 1st Bn., 3rd Infantry Regt., at Fort Myer, Va. as a member of the "Old Guard" in 2004. In 2006 he was deployed to Iraq as a member of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. He began the Special Forces Qualifications Course January 2007 and earning the coveted "Green Beret" in January 2009.
Tinsley's military education includes the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Commander's 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, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Tinsley is survived by his wife, Emily, and daughter, Isabella, of Fayetteville, N.C.; mother Debra, and father John Tinsley, of Jacksonville, Fla.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 3 November 2005
Location: Al Anbar, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Maj. Jeffrey P. Toczylowski, 30, a Special Forces detachment commander assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Panzer Kaserne, Germany, died Nov. 3, 2005, while in hostile enemy territory in the Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was seriously injured as a result of a fall from a helicopter during a combat infiltration. Toczylowski was airlifted to a military treatment facility, where he was pronounced dead.
A native of Upper Moreland, Pa., Toczylowski was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1995 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Valley Forge Military College in Valley Forge, Pa.
He later earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas in 1997.
Later that year, Toczylowski began his first assignment as a platoon leader with the 554th Military Police Company in Vaihingen, Germany. His two years with the company included a deployment to Bosnia in support of Task Force Eagle.
In 2000, he began a nearly three-year stint as a force protection officer at Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany.
Toczylowski attended the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2003 and was assigned that year to 1st Bn., 10th SFG, as an SF detachment commander, where he served until his death.
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: Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement 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 Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and promoted to the rank of major.
He is survived by his parents, Philip and Margret Toczylowski, of Upper Moreland. He is also survived by his sister, Pamela and niece, Mikell of McDonald, Pa.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 16 January 2009 OEF
Location: Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan
Action: Non-Hostile
Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend, 30, died Jan. 16, from a non-battle death incident at U.S. military Fire Base Ripley, Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan while serving with Company C, 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 weapons sergeant.
Townsend, a native of Solvang, Calif., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in Aug. 2003 as a Special Forces trainee. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. in Jan. 2004 for Special Forces training. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in 2005 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
Townsend's military education includes; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Townsend is survived by his wife, Rachel, of Pinehurst, N.C.; mother Linda Townsend, of San Jose, Calif.; father, Daniel, and brother, Jordan, of Solvang.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 June 2008 OEF
Location: Khosrow-E Sofla, Afghanistan
Action: Non-Hostile
SGT Treber 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 first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Treber, a native of San Diego, Calif., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in October 2005 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2007 he earned the coveted "Green Beret" and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG (A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in November 2007 as a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha weapons sergeant.
In the final minutes of Sgt. James Treber's life, frigid water filling his armored truck, the 24-year-old freed a pinned comrade and shoved the man into the small air pocket he'd been using to breathe. Treber didn't make it out of the canal in Afghanistan alive, but he saved another Special Forces soldier. The Army presented his family with a Soldier's Medal - an award for heroism performed while not in combat.
"It is the beginning of the healing process," his father, Gordon Treber of Astoria, Ore., said Wednesday. He said earlier this week that he was proud of his son.
"What a tragic yet remarkable story of courage, selfless service and the willingness to give one's life for the sake of another," said Col. James Kraft, the 7th Special Forces Group commander, at the ceremony. "Sgt. Treber's character was in full display that heartbreaking evening, and we will forever remember and cherish his heroic actions."
SGT. Treber's military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Treber is survived by his wife, Tamila, of Daytona Fla.; father, Gordon Treber, of Astoria, Ore.; mother, Laurie Treber, of Mohave, Ariz.; and brother, Gordon Treber, Jr., of National City, Calif.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 4th Battalion
ODA: 18 E
Date KIA: Died Aug. 8 of wounds inflicted from small-arms fire on July 31
Location: Shindand Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small-Arms Fire
Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent, 38, of Norton, Mass., died Aug. 8 of wounds inflicted from small-arms fire July 31, in Shindand 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 Trent's fifth deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
He enlisted as an artilleryman in the U.S. Army in August 1998. Upon completion of his initial training, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. He was next assigned to Italy, where he served as a howitzer section chief and deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
In 2006, Trent volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. Following his completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 2007, he reported to the 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A) as a Special Forces communications sergeant.
During his time with 1st Battalion. Trent deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009. He was then assigned to the 4th Bn., 3rd SFG(A), where he served as a communications sergeant in the with Co. B. He deployed with 4th Bn., in April 2010 for four months and recently returned to Afghanistan with the battalion in January 2012.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, U.S. Army Combatives Course, Warrior Leader's Course, Advanced Leader's Course, Senior Leader's Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Military Free Fall School, Jumpmaster School, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Trent’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, four Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, two Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, four Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, five Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Special Forces tab.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents and brother.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 23 August 2007 OIF
Location: Al Aziziyah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Tully, 33, a Special Forces medic assigned to the Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Lewis, Wash., died Aug. 23 from fatal wounds sustained when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Al Aziziyah, southeast of Baghdad, Iraq.
He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.
Tully was born and raised in Pa. After initially entering military service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he transferred to the U.S. Army in 1997. Tully was assigned as an infantryman in Company E, 313 th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82 nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Tully then served as a Long Range Surveillance Detachment assistant team leader in the same unit one year later.
In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg to become a Special Forces medic. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" and was assigned to the 1 st SFG(A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., in Dec 2006.
Tully's military education also includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Ranger Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course, and Special Forces Diving Supervisors Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation , Good Conduct Medal Second Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Tully is survived by his wife, Heather of Columbus, Ga., and his son, Slade of North Port, Fla. He is also survived by his father and stepmother, Jack and Marilyn Tully of Falls Creek, Pa., mother Dolores Newman of Glendale, Ariz., brother John Tully of Anchorage, Alaska (currently serving in Iraq), and his sister Heather A. Farkas of Northampton, Pa.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 12 June 2002 OEF
Location: Gardez, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Peter Tycz was born in Cheektowaga, NY and graduated from Tonowanda High School in June 1988.
He began his career as a Fire Support Specialist when he enlisted in and served in the active-duty Army from 1988-1990. He transitioned to the Army Reserve, where he served three years before coming back on active duty in 1993. In 1997, he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
SFC Tyzc' military education includes the Fire Support Specialist Course, Basic Airborne Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Special Operations Medical Sergeant Course, Spanish and French Language School, Dive Medical Technician School, the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course. His civilian education includes the Emergency Medical Technician Course, the Basic Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Course, and the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course.
Awards: Bronze Star for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters), Good Conduct Medal (with 4th award), National Defense Service Medal (with star), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. He also earned the Combat Medical Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Parachutist Badge and Dominican Republic Jump Wings.
SFC Peter Tycz is survived by his wife Tami and their five children: Felicia (10), Faith (7), Tiffany (5), Samantha (3) and Elizabeth (1).
.png){kind=small}
© 2011 Green Beret Foundation | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us
The Green Beret Foundation is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, national non-profit charitable foundation.
Tax ID # 27-1206961