20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 2236
18 E
Date KIA: 2 August 2009 OEF
Location: Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Granado, died while conducting combat operations in the Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2009, while serving as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Jackson, Miss.
Granado, 42, was killed when a command wire improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Granado, born in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, enlisted in January 1988 as a 13B, Cannon Crewmember. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2002 as an 18E, Communications NCO and was assigned to 2rd Bn., 20th SFG(A).
Granado is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield with the 3rd Armored Division and also deployed with the 20th SFG in support of both Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Granado's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Intelligence Analyst Course, Special Operations Interdiction Course, Air Assault Course and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Medal, Liberation of Kuwait Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Ribbon, Mississippi War Medal. Granado also earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Granado is survived by his daughter Amanda and sons, Hasson and Alejandro, who reside in Longview, Texas.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA: 2236
18 A
Date KIA: 2 August 2009 OEF
Location: Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Capt. Ronald G. Luce died while conducting combat operations in the Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2009, while serving as the Special Forces Team Commander with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered in Jackson, Miss.
Luce, 27, was killed when a command wire improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Luce, born in Julian, Calif., enrolled in ROTC at Valley Forge Military Academy and became a commissioned officer in 2002. In 2005 he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating May 2008 as an 18A and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 7th SFG (A) as a liaison officer. He was reassigned to Co. C, 2nd Bn., 20th SFG (A) as a detachment commander.
Luce's military and civilian educations include a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. He also attended the Infantry Officer's Basic Course, Infantry Captain's Career Course, Ranger School, the Special Forces Qualification Course and Airborne School.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Luce also earned the Combat Infantry and Parachutist Badges as well as Special Forces and Ranger tabs.
Luce is survived by his wife Kendahl and daughter Carrie of Fayetteville, N.C.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 2 August 2009 OEF
Location: Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Severin W. Summers III died while conducting combat operations in the Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2009, while serving as a Special Forces Engineer with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered at Jackson, Miss.
Summers, 43, was killed when a command wired improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Summers, born in Lafayette, La., enlisted in 1989 as an 11B, Infantryman. He later attended the SF Qualification Course, graduating in 2002. Summers then joined 2nd Bn., 20th SFG (A). After graduating U.S. Army Ranger School successfully, he was assigned to ODA 2065, the SCUBA team. He then volunteered for the Special Operations Combat Diver Course in Key West, Fla.
Summer's military and civilian education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Ranger School, Special Operations Combat Diver Course, and Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course. He also received his Bachelors of Science from Louisiana State University.
Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Medal. Summers also earned Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, and Military Free Fall Badge and the Ranger and Special Forces tabs.
Summer's is survived by his wife Tammy Fraser and his daughters Jessica, Shelby and Sarah.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA: 535
18 B
Date KIA: 5 August 2005
Location: Rabi'ah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Brett E. Walden was killed in action on August 5, 2005 near Rabi'ah, Iraq, while serving with ODA 535, C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Walden, 40, was a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to ODA 535, C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Walden, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. enlisted as an infantryman in February 1987.
He served as an infantryman in Hawaii from 1987 to 1992. He then served with 2nd Brigade, 327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky. until 1997. After a year with 1st Brigade, 505th Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C., Walden attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in October 2000.
He arrived at Fort Campbell November 20, 2000 and was assigned as a weapons sergeant with C Co, 1/5th SFG (A). While serving with C Co, 1/5th SFG (A), he spent one tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and had recently begun his fourth tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Walden's schools include the Basic Airborne Course, the Air Assault Course, the Ranger Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Russian Language Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Military Free Fall Course and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 bronze loops, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab. His posthumous awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Autumn and daughter, Alexandria both of Dover, Pa.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA: 316
18 B
Date KIA: 8 August 2005
Location: Deh Afghan, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Chris was born on 24 September, 1982 in Boston, MA. He lived in Athens, Ohio from 1984 - 1990, when we moved to Littleton, Colorado. Chris attended Northridge Elementary School, Cresthill Middle School, and graduated from ThunderRidge High School in 2001.
On 25 October, 2001, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA for his Basic Training and his Advanced Infantry Training. He graduated AIT in March, 2002. He then attended Airborne School at Ft. Benning, before being assigned to Ft. Bragg, NC where was a member of the fourth class of the Special Operations Preparatory Course. In June 2002, he completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and was assigned to the Special Forces Qualification Course and graduated 21 May, 2003.
After finishing his Arabic Language course and SERE training, he was assigned to Operational Detachment -Alpha 316, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Weapons Sergeant (18B). He was promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSG) on 1 November, 2004. His schooling in Special Forces included Blackwater Combat Marksmanship Course, Gryphon Group Force Protection Course, Mid-South Self Defense Institute, SFARTAETC, and his favorite course, the one he was most proud of, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course.
His first overseas deployment was in February, 2004 to Gereshk, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His second deployment was also to Afghanistan in June, 2005 and he was killed in action during the fifth of seven contacts in the 54 hour Battle of Mari Ghar in Afghanistan on 8 August, 2005 while saving the lives of his 10 teammates and 16 members of the Afghan National Army that were assigned to his team. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 22 August, 2005.
Awards: Silver Star , Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his parents, Diane and Jeff Falkel, Littleton, CO, and his brother, Tim Falkel of Littleton, CO.
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.
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.
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.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 741
18 C
Date KIA: 12 August 2007 OEF
Location: Bar Kalakney Village, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey D. Kettle was killed in action on August 12, 2007 near Bar Kalakney Village, Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 741, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Kettle, 31, was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A), Fort Bragg, NC. Kettle, of Texas City, TX, enlisted as an infantryman in September 1993. He served as an infantryman in Hawaii in 1994.
He then served with the 1 st Bn., 503 rd Airborne Infantry at Caserma Ederle, Italy in 1995. After serving six years at Fort Benning, Ga., in various positions Kettle was assigned to here to 3rd Bn., 505 th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2006 and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with A Co, 2/7th SFG (A). He spent one tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in 2003 and had recently begun his second tour of duty in Afghanistan with A Co, 2/7 th SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Kettle's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Air Assault Course, the Ranger Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Parachutist Jumpmasters Course and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.
He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and sons Jeffrey and Logan of Raeford, NC, and parents Ronald and Cynthia of League City, Texas.
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.
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: 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: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 20 August 2013 OEF
Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Master Sgt. George A. Bannar Jr., 37, of Orange, Va., died Aug. 20 of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Bannar's fifth deployment to Afghanistan.
Bannar enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army in October 1996, completing his medical training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and then attending the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of his initial training, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. While serving in the 82nd he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and began his Special Forces training in 2001.
In July 2003, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG (A). Bannar served in the 1st Bn. for five years, deploying with the unit to Afghanistan four times. In August 2008, he was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) and stationed in Yuma, Ariz., where he worked at the Military Free Fall School as an instructor. In October 2012, Bannar returned to the 3rd SFG (A) and was assigned to the 3rd Bn.
Bannar earned an Associate's Degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from Campbell University. His military education includes Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Advanced Leaders Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, Military Free Fall School, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster School, Advanced Military Free Fall Parachutist School, Basic Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Bannar's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device , Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, Air Assault Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge, Royal Netherlands Army Parachutist Badge, Venezuelan Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
He is survived by his wife and his parents.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 16 August 2009 OEF
Location: Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class William B. Woods Jr., 31, died Aug. 16, 2009, in Landstuhl, Germany from wounds he received Aug. 14, 2009, while conducting a mounted patrol in the Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with 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. He was a Special Forces senior medical sergeant.
Woods was a native of Hermann, Mo., and enlisted into the military in 1996 as a rifleman. After his initial Marine Corps enlistment, he later enlisted into the U.S. Army.
He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2003 and earned the coveted "Green Beret." He was then assigned to 2nd Bn., 20th SFG (A).
Wood's military education includes the Basic Infantryman's Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Linear Infighting Neural-Override Engagement Instructor Course, Ranger Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Army and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Woods is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters, Lilian and Ella, of Chesapeake, Va.; mother Pamela, and father William, of Pacific, Mo.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 535
18 D
Date KIA: 22 August 2009 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Lobosco, 29, was killed Aug. 22, 2009, while conducting a dismounted patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Lobosco a native of Somerville, N.J., enlisted into the U.S. Army January 2004 as a Special Forces candidate. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course January 2007 and earned the coveted "Green Beret."
Lobosco's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Lobosco is survived by his mother Bonnie Lobosco, father Robert Lobosco and sister, Lisa Lobosco of Bridgewater, N.J.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 23 August 2007 OIF
Location: Al Aziziyah, Iraq
Action:
Sgt. 1st Class Adrian M. Elizalde, 30, a Special Forces engineer 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.
Elizalde was born in Calif., in 1977. After initially entering military service in 1996, he was assigned as an infantryman with 3rd Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR) at Fort Bragg. He later served as a Long Range Surveillance Detachment team leader with Company D, 519 th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.
In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg to become a Special Forces engineer. He earned the coveted Green Beret in 2005 and was assigned to the 1 st SFG(A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., in Mar 2006.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal Second Award, Army Achievement Medal Third Award, Good Conduct Medal Third Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Elizalde is survived by his daughter, Sydney Grace of Klamath Falls, Ore., and also by his parents, Jorge and Teresa Elizalde of Renton, Wash., and sister Rachel Elizalde of Renton, Wash.
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.
Assignment: USASOC
ODA: 18 D
Date KIA: 25 August 2005 OIF
Location: Iraq
Action: Hostile
Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak died Aug. 25, 2005, while conducting combat operations in Iraq against known enemies of the United States of America.
He was born Oct. 12, 1962 in Debeljak, former Republic of Yugoslavia and graduated from the Center for Education of Personnel in Zadar, former Republic of Yugoslavia in July 1981.
He entered the U.S. Army as a combat medic Jan. 19, 1988, and after completion of Initial Entry Training, was assigned to the 690th Medical Company, Fort Benning, Ga. Since that time, Jerak served in the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His last assignment was as an assistant team sergeant assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Jerak completed several military courses while serving in the United States Army to include the Pathfinder Course, the Ranger Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Static Line Jumpmaster Course, the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, the Special Operations Medical Course, the Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic Course, the Military Freefall Course, the Jumpmaster Course, and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course.
Jerak’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Bronze Star Medal (3), the Purple Heart (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Joint Service Commendation Medal for valor, the Army Commendation Medal (4), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal (5), the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal (2), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Medal (Government of Kuwait), the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Special Forces Tab and the Driver and Mechanic Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Hye Jerak and his mother, Milka Jerak.
Assignment: USASOC
ODA: 18
Date KIA: 28 August 2005
Location: Husaybah, Iraq
Action: Non-Hostile
Assigned to Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg died Aug. 28 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, from wounds sustained Aug. 25 in Husaybah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position.
Sgt. 1st Class Kolath served with the 4th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). His last assignment was as a team member assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.
He is survived by his children, Vivian Schondelmeyer, Autumn and Mariah Kolath, and mother, Mary Kolath.
Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath, 32, died of injuries from an IED blast that resulted in the death of three other USASOC Soldiers whose deaths were announced on Aug. 27.
Kolath entered the U.S. Army Mar. 10, 1992, as a fire support specialist. After completion of initial entry training, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment in Germany.
His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.
Kolath was posthumously recommended for the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 29 August 2003
Location: Deh Chopan, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Action: Accident - Fast Rope Infiltration
Sgt. 1st Class Mitchell A. Lane, 34, was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He died from injuries he suffered from a fall while conducting a fast rope infiltration from a helicopter during a night combat assault Aug. 29, 2003 near Deh Chopan in Afghanistan's Zabul province.
A native of California, Lane enlisted in the Army National Guard in May 1987. He later volunteered for active duty as a combat engineer in October 1991. He subsequently served in a number of engineer units at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., until he was selected for Special Forces training in 1995.
After completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, Lane served in several assignments with the 3rd SFG.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Scuba Diver Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Lane is survived by his wife, two children, his parents and three brothers.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA: 18 D
Date KIA: 30 August 2004
Location: Khutayiah, Iraq
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Aaron N. Holleyman, 26, was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Ky.
He was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Aug. 30, 2004, near Khutayiah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle.
A native of Glasgow, Mont., Holleyman enlisted in the Army in June 1996 as an infantryman. After completing infantry and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., in November 1996 as a platoon armorer in the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After being selected for Special Forces training in 2000, Holleyman was assigned to Fort Bragg's 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in January 2001.
Upon completion of his training as an SF medical sergeant, he was assigned to the 5th SFG in September 2003. Shortly after arriving at the unit, Holleyman deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed in support of OIF for a second time in July 2004.
Holleyman's military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Combat Life Saver Course and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Medical Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Holleyman is survived by two daughters and a son in Fayetteville, N.C.; his brother, Pfc. Daniel M. Holleyman of the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne); and his parents, Ross and Glenda Holleyman, of Carthage, Miss.
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