7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA: 13 February 2006 OIF
Location: Deh Rawod, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Chad A. Gonsalves, 31, a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C., died Feb. 13, 2006, when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near his Humvee north of Deh Rawod in central Afghanistan.
A native of Turlock, Calif., Gonsalves enlisted in July 1996 as an infantryman. His first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment at Conn Barracks near Schweinfurt, Germany where he served for four years.
Gonsalves attended the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2000 and was assigned in November 2001 to 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (A), as a weapons sergeant, where he served until his death.
His military education included the Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Spanish Basic Military Language Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, Jumpmaster Course, Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training for Infantryman, Primary Leadership Development Course and Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course.
Awards: Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Special Operations Diver Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab. His posthumous awards include the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Julie, and three sons, Cody, Blake and Dylan of Spring Lake, N.C. His parents, Larry and Marsha Gonsalves, of Turlock, Calif, also survive him.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 13 February 2009 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small, 29, died of wounds sustained from enemy fire during a combat reconnaissance patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team medical sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Small, a native of Collegeville, Penn., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in December 2004 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 May 2005 for Special Forces training. His medical training was with John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Joint Special Operation Medical Training Center. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in 2007 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Small's military education includes the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Sniper Course, Basic Airborne Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement 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, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.
Small is survived by his mother mother and step father Mary and Peter MacFarland of Collegeville, Penn.; father and stepmother - Murray and Karen Small of Mechanicsburg, Penn.; his siblings Matt Small, Megan MacFarland, Heather Wellock, Jennifer MacFarland; Travis and Tyler Baney; and his fiancé, Amanda Charney.
Assignment: USASOC
ODA: 18
Date KIA: 18 February 2007
Location: SE Afghanistan/KIA
Action: Non-Hostile
Chief Warrant Officer Three Hershel D. McCants, Jr., died February 18, 2007, in southeastern Afghanistan when his MH-47E Helicopter crashed while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was born on April 2, 1973, in Medford, Oregon.
Dan McCants originally enlisted in the Army as a Combat Engineer in October of 1991. He attended Basic & Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonardwood. His first duty assignment as a Combat Engineer was Ft. Bragg, NC from 20 May thru 15 Nov 96. He attended the Special Forces Engineer course and upon graduation was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, WA. Dan spent three years in 1st SFG (A) were he obtained the rank of SSG before applying for flight school. He applied for and was accepted into the Warrant Officer entry program in 2000. He graduated from the Warrant Officer Program at Fort Rucker in 2001 and went into the Warrant Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
After completing his UH-60 aircraft qualifications at Fort Rucker, AL, Dan was assigned as a Tactical Operations Officer and Aero Medical Evacuation pilot with the 54th Medical Company, 62nd Medical Brigade, Fort Lewis, WA. He assessed for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in 2005 and was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th SOAR (A) at Fort Campbell, KY.
CW3 McCants' schools include the Special Forces Qualification Course, The Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the CH-47 Aircraft Qualifications Course, Special Operations Training Course, SAPPER Leader Course, and the Combat Life Savers Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, two Humanitarian Service Medals, two NCO Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Aviator Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Airborne Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Shannon, son, Trevor (11), and daughter, Kylie (11 months).
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 12 Febuary 2014
Location: Kapisa Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms Fire
Sgt. 1st Class Roberto C. Skelt, Jr., 41, of York, Fla., died Feb. 12, 2014, of wounds received from small-arms fire in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.
Skelt was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan.
Skelt enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1990 as a signal support systems specialist. He completed initial entry training at Fort Jackson, S.C., followed by advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga. He went on to serve at several duty stations in the United States and overseas.
In 2005, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces engineer sergeant and was assigned to Co. A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG (A), deploying with them twice to Afghanistan and once to Yemen.
Skelt went on to serve at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (A), Fort Bragg. Upon successfully completing those assignments, he was recently reassigned to 3rd SFG (A).
Skelt’s military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Senior Leader Course, the Physical Surveillance Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Signal Support Systems Course, and Basic Combat Training.
Skelt’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), the Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd Award), the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, his parents, a brother and two sisters.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 20 February 2009 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Jeremy E. Bessa, 26, was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting a mounted combat reconnaissance patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team communications sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and first deployment to Afghanistan.
Bessa, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in April 2002 as a combat medic trainee. After basic and advanced individual training and Airborne School he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., in January 2003. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom September 2003.
Bessa attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection prior to being assigned to John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C., in May 2005 for Special Forces training. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in March 2007 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Bessa's military education includes the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
In June 2001, he returned to 3rd Battalion and became a member of Operational Detachment A-194. In November 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman volunteered for a special mission in Afghanistan, where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Awards: Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Medics Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Bessa is survived by his wife Lindsey and their son Carson of Fayetteville, N.C.; parents Ted and Julie Bessa of Whispering Pines, N.C and brother Christopher L. Bess, Fort Carson, Colo.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 20 February 2009 OEF
Location: Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Master Sgt. David L. Hurt, 36, died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device during a mounted combat reconnaissance patrol. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha operations sergeant assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his fifth deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Hurt, a native of Oak Park, Ill., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in November 1992, as a Combat Engineer trainee. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., he was assigned to Co. C, 307th Engineer Bn., 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. from the rank of private to Staff Sgt. He then was assigned to Co. C, 37th Engineer Bn., 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg.
Hurt completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection prior to being assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C., in August 1999 for Special Forces training. He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in May 2000 and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces engineer sergeant.
Hurt was then assigned to the USAJFKSWCS Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. He served as a Small Group Leader at the Basic Noncommissioned Officer and Warrior Leader Course from March 2005 to March 2008. Hurt returned to the 3rd Special Forces Group and was assigned to Co. B, 1st Bn., as an operations sergeant in March 2008.
Hurt's military education includes the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Sniper Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Pathfinder Course, Ranger Course, Jumpmaster Course, Sapper Leader Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Special Forces Advanced Recon and Target Exploitation Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with one OLC, the Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with a three OLC, Joint Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal with four OLC, the Combat Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drivers Badge, the Valorous Unit Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Hurt is survived by his wife Kelly, daughter Avery and son Wyatt, all of Grays Creek, N.C.; mother Bonnie Hurt of Hope Mills, N.C. and father Joe Hurt of Memphis, Tenn.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 F
Date KIA: 28 February 2006 OEF
Location: Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Master Sgt. Emigdio E. Elizarraras, 37, a Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. died Feb. 28 when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated while he was traveling in a Ground Mobility Vehicle north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan during a reconnaissance patrol.
Elizarraras, a native of Pico Rivera, Calif., enlisted as an infantryman in 1986. His first assignment was with 1st Bn., 327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he served for four years, deploying to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during that time.
Elizarraras then transferred to 1st Bn., 14th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he served almost three years before becoming an instructor at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Benning, Ga. After serving for three years as an instructor, he volunteered for Special Forces training.
He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1998 and was assigned to 3rd Bn., 7th SFG (A), as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. In 2003, he was assigned as an SF Intelligence Sergeant and served in that position until his death.
His military education also includes the Ranger Course, the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, the Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course, the Individual Terrorism Awareness Course, the Basic Military Mountaineer Winter Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, the Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, the Static Line Jumpmaster Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses and the Air Assault Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Elizarraras is survived by his wife, Kris, daughters, Sally and Olivia, and son, Andrew, of Fayetteville, N.C. His parents, Emigdio and Martha, of Pico Rivera, Calif., and sister Leticia of Phoenix, Ariz., also survive him.
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