1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA: 18 B
Date KIA: 1 September 2012
Location: Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Staff Sgt. Jeremie S. Border, 28, of Mesquite, Texas, died September 1, 2012, by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
Border was assigned to Company Alpha, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Okinawa, Japan and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom- Afghanistan.
Border graduated from Mesquite High School in 2002 and attended college at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas earning his Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Communications in 2006.
He entered the Army in 2006 as an infantryman, where he completed basic training, advanced individual training and basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. In 2006 he was assigned to 1-17th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
In 2008, Border was selected during the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course as a SF weapons sergeant, and learned Indonesian at the Special Operations Forces Language Course at the United States Army John F. Kennedy Warfare Center and School.
He was originally assigned to Company Bravo, 1st Bn., 1st SFG (Airborne), Okinawa, Japan in 2009 and was assigned to Company Alpha prior to his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
Border's military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Warrior Leader's Course, the Advanced Leader's Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course and the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantry Badge and the Army Parachutist Badge.
He has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Afghan Campaign Medal.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Lynne Border, and sister, DeLaynie Kaye Roberts of Mesquite, Texas.
For further information, media should contact the Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office during duty hours at 910-643-8438 or after duty hours at 910-429-4165.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 194
18 E
Date KIA: 4 January 2002 OEF
Location: Khost, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan R. Chapman was a Special Forces Communications Sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 4, 2002, near the town of Khost in Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Chapman was born into a military family at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on April 23, 1970. As with most military children, he called several places "home" during his childhood.
While growing up, he balanced his time between his academic studies, the wrestling team and an active social life. In 1988, he graduated from Centerville High School in Ohio.
Nathan entered the Army in July 1988, completing Basic and Advanced Individual Training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. After that, he also completed his parachutist and Ranger training there.
Following his initial training at Fort Benning, he was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. In December 1989, he participated in his first combat action when he took part in the 2nd Ranger Battalion's airborne assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause. In January 1991, while assigned to 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, he participated in his second combat action when he deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Storm.
In September 1991, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman volunteered for Special Forces training. In December 1992, he graduated from the Special Forces Communications Sergeants Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., and went on to complete the Basic Military Language Course for Tagalog in June 1993.
In July 1993, he returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., where he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Here, he served on Operational Detachment A-185 and Operational detachment A-195. In 1995 he deployed to Haiti as part of Operation Uphold Democracy.
In 1998, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman was reassigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Okinawa, Japan. He served there for three years as a member of Operational Detachment A-125 and Operational Detachment A-135.
In June 2001, he returned to 3rd Battalion and became a member of Operational Detachment A-194. In November 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Chapman volunteered for a special mission in Afghanistan, where he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Awards: Bronze Star with "V" device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with arrow head, the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Service Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Combat Infantryman Badge second award, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Parachutist Combat Badge with bronze service star, the Special Forces Combat Divers Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, and the Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Renae, his daughter Amanda, his son Brandon and his parents Will and Lynn Chapman.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 28 January 2010 OEF
Location: Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Rusty Hunter Christian, 24, of Greenville, Tenn., died when an improvised explosive device exploded during a patrol Jan. 28, 2010 in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Christian's second deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Feb. 4, 2004. Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, he was assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as an infantryman.
In 2008, Christian volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 2009. He was then assigned to 2nd Bn., 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces engineer sergeant.
His military education also includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Defense Language Institute Indonesian Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Citation, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Christian is survived by his wife, Amber Christian and their children, Taylor and Gavin Christian of Orting, Wash. He is also survived by his mother Donna Ball and stepfather Jim Ball of Kingsport, Tenn; his father Michael Christian of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn.; and his brother Aaron Christian of Kingsport, Tenn.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 2 May 2010 OEF
Location: Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman, 40, of Yelm, Wash. died when he stepped on an improvised explosive device on May 02, 2010, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
Coleman was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was his fifth deployment in support of an Overseas Contingency Operation.
Coleman, a graduate of Goldendale High School in Goldendale, Wash., enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 31, 1988, as a Fire Support Specialist.
Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, Coleman was assigned to 2-32 FA in Wiesbaden Germany. Coleman served in numerous fire support assignments at Fort Sill, Okla., Camp Casey, Republic Of Korea and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
In 1999, Coleman volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in August 2001.
Coleman was then assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He served in the unit from 2001-2006 and completed two rotations to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines.
In 2006, Coleman was selected to participate in the Military Personnel Exchange Program and was assigned to the Australian Special Air Service Regiment. During his time with the Australian SAS, he completed two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
In 2008, Coleman returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and completed a third rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines.
Coleman's military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Ranger School, Mountain Warfare School, Combat Life Savers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Air Assault Course, Jumpmaster Course, Joint Fire Power Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. Coleman earned the Special Forces qualification tab, the Ranger qualification tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Coleman is survived by his wife, Barbie of Yelm, Wash. and their children, Brett of Fort Richardson, Alaska and Jessica of Yelm, Wash. He is also survived by his mother Alice Fay Eshelman of Centerville, Wash., his adoptive-father James Coleman of Wenatchee, Wash. and his father Harley Neal Vermilion of Texas.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 9 May 2007 OIF
Location: Al-Hillah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. Maj. Bradly D. Conner was born on March 5, 1966 in Tacoma, Wash. He was a Special Forces company sergeant major assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Conner died May 9, 2007 from wounds sustained while conducting a combat patrol outside of Al-Hillah, Iraq.
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mar. 2007. This was his fourth deployment to Iraq since 2003.
A native of Tacoma, Wash. and raised in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, Conner enlisted in the Army June 24, 1987 as an ammunition specialist. After completing basic training at Fort McClellan, Ala., and advanced individual training at Redstone Arsenal, he was assigned to the 515th Ordinance Company, Redstone Arsenal as his first assignment. In 1992, Conner volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1993, he was assigned to 10th SFG (A) as a Special Forces medical sergeant. He filled several positions in 10th SFG (A) to include 2nd Battalion S3 Operations NCO, Team Sergeant and First Sergeant for HHC.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal Fifth Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Conner is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his son, Aaron, his daughters, Katherine and Rachel, all of Fort Lewis, Wash. He is also survived by his parents William and Kay Conner of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, his brothers Brian and Bruce Conner, and his sister Brenda Day.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA: 18 E
Date KIA: 27 October 2007 OEF-P
Location: Panamao, Philippines
Action: Non-Hostile
Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri, 27, a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash., died in an accidental drowning incident at Siet Lake while deployed to the Southern Philippines region near Panamao, Republic of the Philippines.
He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines. This was his first deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Curreri was born and raised in the suburbs of Baltimore. He was a four year varsity letter winner in swimming and founded his high school water polo team. Upon graduation from high school, Curreri attended the University of Southern California. While at USC he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, was a fouryear varsity letter winner in swimming, and was the captain of the Trojans swim team during his senior year. Additionally, he served as the Executive Vice President of USC's Student Athlete Academic Council in 2000-2001. After graduating from USC, Curreri worked as a history tutor, swim coach, and recruiting coordinator for a recruiting agency in El Segundo, Calif.
Curreri's military education include the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course; Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Combat Diver Qualification Course.
In 2000, he began a nearly three-year stint as a force protection officer at Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, and the Special Operations Divers Badge.
Curreri is survived by his wife, Athena, of Los Angeles, Calif.; mother, Karen, and sister, Shannon, of Redondo Beach, Calif.; father, Frank, stepmother, Tricia, and stepsister Angelia of Parkville, Md.
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: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 15 July 2011 OEF
Location: Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. 1st Class Wyatt A. Goldsmith, 28, of Colville, Wash., died July 15, 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered after enemy forces engaged his unit.
Goldsmith was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was Goldsmith's 3rd deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
Born in Redmond, Wash. on September 21, 1982, Goldsmith entered the U.S. Army in June 2004 as a Special Forces recruit.
In October 2004, upon completion of basic training, advanced individual training and the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. he was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. Goldsmith attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 2005 and was selected to continue his training as medical sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course.
After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Staff Sgt. Goldsmith was assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Goldsmith's military education includes the Special Forces Medical Sergeant Course, Military Freefall Parachutist Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Leaders Course, and the Warrior Leader Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab and Combat Infantryman Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He was also posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class
He is survived by his parents John and Lorie Goldsmith of Colville, Wash. and his sister Nicole.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 4th Battalion
ODA:
Date KIA: 21 March 2013 OEF
Location: Paktika Province, Afghanistan
Action: Small Arms Fire
Sgt. 1st Class James F. Grissom, 31, of Hayward, Calif. died March 21, 2013 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained from small arms fire on March 18 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan.
Grissom was assigned to Co. A, 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was Grissom's fifth deployment to an Overseas Contingency Operation
Grissom graduated from Mt. Eden High School in 1999 and attended college at the Art Institute of San Francisco, earning his Associate's Degree in Computer Animation.
He enlisted in the Army in June, 2003, under the 18X Special Forces Enlistment Program.
After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in October, 2005, Grissom was assigned to 2nd Battalion., 1st SFG (A) JBLM. During his time with 2nd Battalion, Grissom deployed on several JCETs (Joint Combined Exchange Training), and deployed to Iraq in 2009. Grissom wasre-assigned to 4thBattalion in Nov. 2010 as an engineersergeant and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan in 2012.
Grissom's military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, the Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze star Medal.
He is survived by his wife, parents and his sister.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 145
18 Z
Date KIA: 2 October 2002
Location: Republic of the Philippines.
Action: Hostile
SFC Mark Wayne Jackson was killed in action on 2 October 2002 at Camp Enrile Malagutay, Zamboanga, Philippines as the result of a suicide attack. He was the Operations Sergeant for ODA 145.
Sergeant First Class Mark Wayne Jackson was born at Saint Luke Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan to the proud parents of William Alva and Janice Marie Jackson on June 7th, 1962.
He spent his youth between Saginaw, Michigan, Bridge Port, Michigan and Swan Valley, Michigan. While growing up, Sergeant First Class Jackson balanced his time between academics, hunting, fishing, football, wrestling and track. He graduated from the Swan Valley School system in June 1981. After graduation, Sergeant First Class Jackson got a job as a mason tender in Tawas, Michigan, and later enrolled in Delta College.
Sergeant First Class Jackson started his military career in 1983 with attendance to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as a member of the United States Army Reserve. Additionally, he completed the Motor Transport Operators course and on the job training as an artillery soldier in B Battery, 4th Battalion, 38th Field Artillery at Bad Axe, Michigan. While assigned there he was promoted from Private First Class through Sergeant.
In February of 1986, Sergeant First Class Jackson joined the Active Army and attended the cannon crewman course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and continued on to Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a Private First Class. He was assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, he attended a Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Armors Course and Jungle Warfare Training at Fort Sherman, Panama. He was promoted to Specialist in January 1987.
In November 1987, Sergeant First Class Jackson was assigned to A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment in Hanau, Germany. He participated in numerous training exercises, attended Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), and completed Basic Non-commissioned Officers Course (BNOC). He was promoted to Sergeant in November 1988.
In March 1990, Sergeant First Class Jackson was assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps, Noncommissioned Officers Course where he taught PLDC and BNOC and acted as the Reenlistment NCO. While assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and attended the Instructor Training Course, Ranger Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Jumpmaster Course.
In August 1993, Sergeant First Class Jackson volunteered for Special Forces Training. He graduated from the Special Forces Weapons Sergeants Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and went on to complete the Basic Military Language Course for Persian Farsi in August 1994.
In September 1994, Sergeant First Class Jackson was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served on Operational Detachment Alpha 536. During his time in the 5th Special Forces Group, he participated in numerous overseas deployments to Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. Additionally, he attended the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape High Risk course, Tank Commander Certification Course, Aviation in Foreign Internal Defense Course, and the Special Forces Assistant Operations Course. In November 1998, Sergeant First Class Jackson attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, for basic Arabic and graduated from in December 1999.
In December 1999, Sergeant First Class Jackson was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington, and became a member of Operational Detachment Alpha 142. He served as the Assistant Operations Sergeant for numerous deployments in South East Asia.
In August 2002, Sergeant First Class Jackson was assigned as the Operations Sergeant of Operational Detachment Alpha 145. On October 2nd 2002, while participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, Sergeant First Class Jackson was killed in the Republic of the Philippines.
Awards: Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with arrowhead, the Army Good Conduct Medal fifth award, the National Defense Service Ribbon with Bronze Star, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with three device, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon. Sergeant First Class Jackson's decorations include the Expert Infantry Badge, the Master Parachutists Badge, the Military Free Fall Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Jordanian Parachutist Badge, the Bahraini Parachutist Badge, the Russian Parachutist Badge, the Korean Parachutist Badge, and the Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Merit Medal (Posthumously).
Sergeant First Class Jackson is survived by his father William, mother Janice, brother Richard, and sister Kimberly.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 September 2009 OEF
Location: Jolo Island, Philippines
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Jack Mayfield Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Okla. died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device Sept. 29, 2009 on Jolo Island, Philippines.
Martin was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. This was Martin's first deployment in support of OEF-P; he was a veteran of Operation Iraq Freedom.
Martin, the youngest of five children was born in Maquoketa, Iowa and spent his childhood and teen years growing up in Iowa and Bethany, Okla.
He entered military service in 2001 and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004. Upon completion of SFQC, he was assigned to 3rd Bn., 1st SFG (A) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Martin's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Note: He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Wash. He is also survived by his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Okla; and his brother, Abe, and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 155
18 B
Date KIA: 1 July 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines
Action:
Sgt. 1st Class Robert K. McGee, 37, was assigned as a senior Special Forces weapons sergeant with Operational Detachment A 155, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
McGee died in Manila, Philippines on July 1, 2004. He was deployed to the Philippines as a member of an advance team for Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. He was to assist in light-infantry tactics training at Cotabato.
McGee, a native of Antioch, Tenn., exemplified the spirit of the "Quiet Professional", American fighting man and professional Soldier. During 17 years of military service, he distinguished himself while serving in multiple organizations and various positions.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1984. Upon completion of One Station Unit Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., McGee was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He served as an infantryman, machine gunner, fire team leader and squad leader. While assigned to the 82nd, he participated in numerous field-training exercises throughout the United States and a rotation as part of the Multi-National Force and Observers in the Sinai.
McGee volunteered for Special Forces training in January 1988 and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st SFG (A) at Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan.
During McGee's tenure with 1st Battalion, he served as a junior and senior SF weapons sergeant on ODA 121 and 125. He participated in numerous Joint Combined Exchange Training exercises to Korea, Japan, Republic of the Philippines, Kingdom of Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
In October 1992 McGee was reassigned to the U. S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg where he taught Special Forces students. Three years later, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st SFG serving as the senior weapons sergeant on ODA 185.
After serving 10 years as a Special Forces Soldier, McGee chose to finish his military career and begin a new career in the computer industry in Nashville, Tenn. After Sept. 11, 2001, McGee volunteered for active service within the ranks of the Special Forces community and was assigned to the 1st SFG at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Waterborne Infiltration Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Combat Diving Supervisor Course, Jungle Warfare Course, Jungle Survival Course, Winter Mountain Warfare Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Malaysian Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, and Royal Thai Army Airborne Wings.
His wife, Shannon and two sons, Michael and Zachary, survive him. His mother, Martha R. Goins, and a brother also survive him.
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.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA: 18
Date KIA: 29 September 2009 OEF-P
Location: Jolo Island, Philippines
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Natchez, Miss. died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device Sept. 29, 2009, on Jolo Island, Philippines.
Shaw was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. This was his second deployment in support of OEF-P.
Shaw enlisted in the U.S. Army reserve Nov. 22, 1994, while attending Texas Southern University in Houston on a track and field scholarship. In May 1995, he decided to join the active-duty Army as a forward observer.
Upon completion of basic training, advanced individual training, and the U.S. Army Airborne School, Shaw was assigned as a fire support specialist to 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
In 1997, Shaw volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 1999. Shaw was then assigned to 1st SFG (A) at Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Wash. He later served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall, N.C. and subsequently returned to 1st SFG (A) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Shaw's military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army Jumpmaster Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Shaw also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medals National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit citation. Shaw earned the Special Forces tab, Ranger tab and the Parachutist Badge.
Note: He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Shaw is survived by his wife Attina and their children Darian Shaw, Erielle Smith, Jalyn Smith, Dante Shaw and Cydney Shaw of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He is also survived by his mother and step-father Camille and Willie Felton of Chicago, Ill.; his father Walter Owens of Port Wentworth, Ga.; two brothers, Orlando Shaw of Chicago, Ill. and Maurey Owens of Jackson, Miss.; and two sisters Kenya Shaw of Chicago, Ill. and Gwen Owens of Atlanta, Ga.
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.
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.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 26 June 2007 OIF
Location: Diwaniyah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Nathan L. Winder, 32, was a Special Forces medic assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Lewis, Wash.
Winder died June 26, 2007, from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations outside of Diwaniyah, Iraq. He was killed by small arms fire while assisting another U.S. Army element as a member of a U.S. Special Forces Quick Reaction Force.
He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, SFC Winder was raised in Utah. After entering military service in 1993, Winder was assigned as an Infantryman to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment at Fort Riley, Kan. He later served as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle section leader with 1st Bn., 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Hovey, Korea, and as a dismounted squad leader with 1st Bn., 5th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.
In 2003, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., to become a Special Forces medic. He earned the coveted Green Beret in 2006 and was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis.
Winder's military education also includes the Warrior Leader Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, 5 Army Achievement Medals, 4 Good Conduct Medals, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Korean Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Driver/Mechanics Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Winder is survived by his wife, Mechelle, of South Africa, and his son, Logan, of Herkimer, N.Y. He is also survived by his parents, Tom and Terri Winder of Blanding, Utah.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 15 January 2012 OEF
Location: Konduz Province, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, 34, of El Dorado, Ark., died Jan. 15, 2012 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire in Konduz Province, Afghanistan.
Wise was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Wise's fourth deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
Wise graduated from West Side Christian High School in 1995 and entered the United States Army in November 2000 as an infantryman.
Upon completion of Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2001, he was assigned to the 520th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis- McChord where he deployed to Iraq as a member of the Battalion Scout Platoon from 2003-2004. In 2005, Wise volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and was selected to continue training as medical sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course.
After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Wise was assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st SFG (A). During his time with the unit, he deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
Wise's military education includes the Warrior Leader's Course, the Advanced Leader's Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, the Recon and Surveillance Leadership Course and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal
He is survived by his wife, Traci; his sons Luke and Ryan; and his daughter Kailen
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 E
Date KIA: 3 January 2005 OIF
Location: Asadabad, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Sgt. Jeremy R. Wright, 31, was a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
He was killed in action while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 3, 2005, when the enemy IED exploded near his Ground Mobility Vehicle during operations in the vicinity of Asadabad, Afghanistan. Wright deployed to Afghanistan in November 2004 in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
A native of Shelbyville, Ind., Wright enlisted in the Army in November 2001 under the service's then brand-new Special Forces Recruiting Initiative, a program that enables civilian recruits to volunteer to attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course shortly after their completion of Initial Entry Training as infantrymen. Previously, only currently serving Soldiers could volunteer to attend SFAS.
After entering the Army in April 2002, he completed infantry and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., and in August 2002 was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. Wright attended SFAS in September 2002 and was selected to continue his training as a communications sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course. Wright began the Thai Language Course in November 2003 and completed the SFQC in July 2004 after completing the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course at Fort Bragg. He was assigned to the 1st SFG in August 2004.
Wright was a 1996 graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., and was a two-time All-American cross-country runner there. He was also a three-time member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team and was the Indiana state high school champion in the 3,200-meter run.
Awards: Purple Heart, the National Defense Service 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 Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Wright is survived by his father, Dale Wright, of Flat Rock, Ind., and his mother, Jacquelyn Nickel, of Shelbyville, Ind.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 4th BN
ODA:
Date KIA: 27 April 2013 IED
Location: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan
Action: Improvised Explosive Device
Simpson was assigned to Company C, 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as a weapons sergeant. He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was Simpson's third deployment to an Overseas Contingency Operation.
Simpson enlisted in the Army in April, 2003, as an Infantryman.
Upon completion of basic training and Advanced Individual Training, Simpson was assigned to Company D, 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, as a Rifleman. In 2006, Simpson was assigned to Company C, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and deployed in 2007 as a fire team leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Simpson volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in July 2011.
He was assigned to Company C, 4th BN, 1st SFG (A) as a weapons sergeant. He participated in the multilateral exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand in 2012 and recently deployed in support of OEF-A.
Simpson's military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, Hazmat Driver Instructor's Course, Joint Armorers Training Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral "2" device, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and his parents.
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