Fallen Heroes


May

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MSG Mark W. Coleman

1st SFG(A)

2 May 2010 OIF

............................... Read Bio

MSG Mark W. Coleman | 2010 OEF

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



MSG Mark W. Coleman

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.


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SGT Timothy P. Padgett

7th SFG(A)

8 May 2007 OEF

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SGT Timothy P. Padgett | 2007 OEF

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: 1st Battalion

ODA:

18 D

Date KIA: 8 May 2007

Location: Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile



SGT Timothy P. Padgett

Sgt. Timothy P. Padgett was born on January 13, 1979 in Geneva, Ala. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Padgett was killed May 8 when a combat patrol he was supporting was attached by enemy fighters near Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He died of wounds sustained during the firefight. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2007.

Born in Geneva, Ala., and raised in Defuniak Springs, Fla., Padgett enlisted in the Army March 14, 2003, as a Special Forces candidate. After completing basic and advanced individual training and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., for further training. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7th SFG (A).

Awards: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Dive Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Padgett is survived by his daughter, Summer Lynn of Westville, Fla., mother, Glenda Penton of Defuniak Springs, Fla., and father, Tommy Padgett of Waller, Texas. He is also survived by his sister, Serena Padgett and brother, Rex Padgett both of Defuniak Springs as well.


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SGM Bradly D. Conner

1st SFG(A)

9 May 2007 OIF

............................... Read Bio

SGM Bradly D. Conner | 2007 OIF

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion

ODA:

18

Date KIA: 9 May 2007 OIF

Location: Al-Hillah, Iraq

Action: Hostile



SGM Bradly D. Conner

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.


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CW3 Bruce E. Price

3rd SFG(A)

15 May 2004 OEF

............................... Read Bio

CW3 Bruce E. Price | 2004 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: 1st Battalion

ODA: 313

180A

Date KIA: 15 May 2004

Location: Musa Qalay, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - Small Arms



CW3 Bruce E. Price

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bruce E. Price, 37, a Special Forces assistant detachment commander assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) here, was fatally wounded when his vehicle was struck by small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire during the patrol.

Price, a resident of Fayetteville, N.C., enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986. After serving in a number of assignments, including an overseas tour in Germany, he volunteered for and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1992 as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. After earning his green beret, Price furthered his military education by completing the Air Movement Operations Course, the Jumpmaster Course and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.

Price became a warrant officer in 1998 after graduating from Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Ala., and the Special Forces Warrant Officer Basic Course at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was assigned to the 3rd SFG on Nov. 21, 1998. He continued his service there with the group's 1st Battalion until his death, participating in one deployment to Kuwait in 2000 and three deployments to Afghanistan beginning in 2002.

His civilian education includes two years of general studies at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.

Awards: Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the United Nations Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger tab and the Special Forces tab.

Price is survived by his wife, Renate, and his son, Aidan.


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SSG Joshua R. Whitaker

7th SFG(A)

15 May 2007 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SSG Joshua R. Whitaker | 2007 OEF

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: 1st Battalion

ODA:

18 C

Date KIA: 15 May 2007 OEF

Location: Qalat, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - Small Arms



SSG Joshua R. Whitaker

Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Whitaker, 23, was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He died May 15, 2007 during a firefight near Qalat, Afghanistan. Whitaker deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2007.

A native of Long Beach, Calif., Whitaker enlisted in the Army September 24, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. After completing basic combat training, advanced individual training and airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., for Special Forces training. In August 2006, upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, he earned the coveted Green Beret and was assigned to 7th SFG (A).

Whitaker's military education also includes the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course.

Awards: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

He is survived by his mother, Catherine Whitaker of Long Beach, Calif., his uncle, Robb Whitaker of Signal Hill, Calif. and his father, Frank Dougherty of El Monte, Calif. His aunt, Debra Whitaker and his cousins Rachel and Laura Whitaker, all from Signal Hill, Calif., also survive him.


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SSG Christian Longsworth

7th SFG(A)

19 May 2006 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SSG Christian Longsworth | 2006 OEF

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: 3rd Battalion

ODA:

18 B

Date KIA: 19 May 2006 OEF

Location: Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - Small Arms



SSG Christian Longsworth

Staff Sgt. Christian Longsworth, 26, a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, died May 19, 2006, when he was fatally struck by enemy small arms fire during a combat patrol in the Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

Longsworth, a native of Newark, N.J., enlisted as an infantryman in 1998.

His first assignment was with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment at Fort Drum, N.Y., where he served more than two years. In 2001, he transferred to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where he served for almost three years as a member of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion cadre team. He rose to the position of Ranger Instructor before volunteering to become a Special Forces Soldier.

Longsworth graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in February 2006 and was assigned 3rd Bn., 7th SFG, as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He deployed in March to Afghanistan.

His military education also includes the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Ranger Course, Pathfinder Course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course.

Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.

He is survived by his mother, Cecilia and daughter, Jaylin Araya of Newark, N.J. He is also survived by his brother, Roy Longsworth of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.


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SFC Martin R. Apolinar

3rd SFG(A)

29 May 2011 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SFC Martin R. Apolinar | 2011 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion

ODA:

18 B

Date KIA: 29 May 2011 OEF

Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - IED



SFC Martin R. Apolinar

Sgt. 1st Class Martin R. Apolinar died May 29 while on a mounted patrol when the vehicle he and his Special Forces team were traveling in struck an IED in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was born Dec. 31, 1982 and grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. He graduated from the Trevor Browne High School in 2001

Apolinar enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 and served as an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served as a rifleman, machine gunner and team leader.

He successfully completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selections course and entered the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. Upon completion of the SFQC, he was assigned to Co., 3rd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2008 where he served as the senior Special Forces weapons sergeant for an Operational Detachment - Alpha.

Apolinar deployed twice, first in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, and now this deployment to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) with Company C.

His military education includes: Warrior Leader's Course, U.S. Army Combatives Course Level 1 and 2, Combat Life Savers Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, and Advance Leader's Course.

Awards: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Overseas Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutists Badge. He earned the Special Forces Tab and Ranger Tab.

Apolinar is survived by his wife Elisa; his son Martin, and his parents Gene and Susan Apolinar of Prescott, Ariz.


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SGT Aaron J. Blasjo

3rd SFG(A)

29 May 2011 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SGT Aaron J. Blasjo | 2011 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion

ODA:

18

Date KIA: 29 May 2011 OEF

Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - IED



SGT Aaron J. Blasjo

Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo died May 29 while on a mounted patrol when the vehicle he and his Special Forces team were traveling in struck an IED in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was born March 19, 1986, in Riverside, Calif. He volunteered for military service and entered in the Army in July 2004 as an infantryman (11B).

After completing basic training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Blasjo was assigned to 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) where he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in December 2006 as a Special Forces communications sergeant. Upon completion of SFQC, he was assigned to Group Support Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Blasjo has deployed to three times Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military education includes: Basic Infantry Course, Warrior Leader's Course, Advance Leader's Course, Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Pistol Marksmanship, SOC AM General Driving Course, Special Forces Qualification's Course, Special Forces Communication Sergeant's Course, and Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course.

Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal; Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutists Badge.

He is survived by wife Crystal, son Talon; and parents Daniel and Bobbi Blasjo of Riverside, Ca.


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CPT Daniel W. Eggers

3rd SFG(A)

29 May 2004 OEF

............................... Read Bio

CPT Daniel W. Eggers | 2004 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion

ODA:

18 A

Date KIA: 29 May 2004 OEF

Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - IED



CPT Daniel W. Eggers

Capt. Daniel W. Eggers, 28, was a Special Forces detachment commander assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was killed in Afghanistan on May 29, 2004 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near Kandahar.

Eggers was a native of Cape Coral, Fla., and was commissioned in May 1997 after graduation from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina where he majored in history. Following a deployment to Afghanistan in March 2003 with the 3rd SFG, he was assigned to Company A as a detachment commander.

Awards: Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

Eggers is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and their children John, 6, and William, 3. His parents, William and Margaret Eggers of Cape Coral, Fla., also survive him.


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SFC Robert J. Mogensen

3rd SFG(A)

29 May 2004 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SFC Robert J. Mogensen | 2004 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion

ODA:

18 B

Date KIA: 29 May 2004

Location: Qalat, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - IED



SFC Robert J. Mogensen

Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Mogensen was born on Feb. 17, 1978 in New York. He was a senior Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was killed in Afghanistan on May 29, 2004 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near Kandahar.

Mogensen was a native of Leesville, La., and joined the Army in 1995. He completed basic infantry training and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. After completing Special Forces training and French language training, he was assigned to 1st Bn., 3rd SFG in October 2000.

Awards: Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.

Mogenson is survived by his wife, Tanya, and their children Joshua, 10, Vanessa, 6 and Leilani, 8 weeks. His mother, Roxanne Mogensen, and his father, William Mogensen, also survive him.


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SFC David Nunez

7th SFG(A)

29 May 2008 OEF

............................... Read Bio

SFC David Nunez | 2008 OEF

7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion

ODA: 7326

18

Date KIA: 29 May 2008 OEF

Location: Farah Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile



SFC David Nunez

Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, 27, was killed in action on May 29, while conducting combat operations in south-west Farah Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 7326 of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. This was his third deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and his second deployment to Afghanistan.

A native of Marblehead, Mass., Piper graduated from Marblehead High School in 1980. Following graduation he entered the Marine Corps and attended training at Parris Island, S.C.

Nunez, a native of Mexico, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in February 1999 as an Airborne Infantryman. He was initially assigned as an assistant team leader with 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., then as a team leader with Company D, 519th Military Intelligence Company's Long Range Surveillance Detachment. In 2005 he earned the coveted "Green Beret" and was assigned to 3rd Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in August 2005.

Nunez's military education includes; the Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Long Range Reconnaissance Course, Special Forces Qualification Course.

Awards: Bronze Star Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.

Nunez is survived by his sons, David Jr. and Julian, of Raeford, N.C.; father, Julian Nunez, of Raeford, N.C.; and mother, Silvia Nunez, of Los Angeles, Calif.


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CPT Joseph W. Schultz

3rd SFG(A)

29 May 2011 OEF

............................... Read Bio

CPT Joseph W. Schultz | 2011 OEF

3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion

ODA: 3333

18 A

Date KIA: 29 May 2011 OEF

Location: Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Action: Hostile - IED



CPT Joseph W. Schultz

Capt. Joseph W. Schultz died May 29 while on a mounted patrol when the vehicle he and his Special Forces team were traveling in struck an IED in the Wardak Province, Afghanistan. He was born March 20, 1975 and grew up in Sacramento, Calif. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1997 and received his commission as an intelligence officer from Officer Candidate School in 2003.

His first assignment was to 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He then served as the assistant battalion intelligence officer and as a rifle platoon leader in Company A, 1-504 PIR. Upon completion of his tour with the 1-504 PIR, he then went on to serve as the counterintelligence/human intelligence operations manager for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division; and later as the G-2 advisor, 10th Iraqi Army Division.

After completing Special Forces Selection and Assessment, he graduated from Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. Upon graduation and receiving his green beret, Schultz was assigned to Co. C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served as the Detachment Commander of Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha 3333.

Schultz deployed in support of various operations across the globe, including: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq and this deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Company C.

His military education includes: the Military Intelligence Officer Course, Infantry Captain Career Course, Defense Strategic Debriefer Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Awards: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Overseas Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutists Badge. He also wore the Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab.

He is survived by wife Kelly; and his mother Betsy Reed Schultz of Port Angeles, Wash.


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