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).
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 B
Date KIA:27 April 2007 OEF
Location: Shindand, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sergeant Michael D. Thomas was born on November 29, 1972 in Athens, Ga. He was a weapons sergeant assigned to 1 st Battalion, 7 th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Thomas died April 27, 2007 from wounds sustained while conducting a combat patrol south of Shindand, Shindand District, Herat Province, Afghanistan.
A native of Seffner, Fla., Thomas enlisted in the Army Jan. 22, 1991 as a military police officer. After completing advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Ala., he was assigned to Camp Casey, Korea. During the next 13 years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility within the Military Police Corps eventually becoming a squad leader. In 2004, Thomas volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 7 th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
Awards: Thomas’ awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Thomas is survived by his wife Teresa, son Craig, daughter Diana and granddaughter Alexis. He is also survived by his parents Bob and Debbie Kirkpatrick of Thonotosassa, Fla, sister Krista Bridwell and her husband Jaye, sister Cassie Kirkpatrick and Aunt Cheryl.
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 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.
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.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 15 May 2007 OEF
Location: Qalat, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
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.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 15 June 2007 OEF
Location: Shkin, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Master Sgt. Arthur L. Lilley, 35, a Special Forces team sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft. Bragg, N.C., died June 15 of wounds sustained from enemy small arms fire during combat operations in the Paktika Province, near Shkin, Afghanistan.
Lilley, a native of Smithfield, Pa., enlisted as an infantryman in 1990. His first assignment was with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then transferred to 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy in September 1992, where he served for just over two years. In 1995, he volunteered to become a Special Forces Soldier.
Lilley graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1996 and was assigned 1st Bn., 7th SFG, as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. In 2000, after serving four years in 7th SFG, he was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as an engineer sergeant and then first sergeant. In August 2005, Lilley was assigned to 2nd Bn., 7th SFG and served there as an Operational Detachment – Alpha team sergeant until his death.
His military education also includes the Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, Air Assault Course, Spanish Language Course, and the First Sergeants Course.
Awards: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) , Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Special Forces Tab.
Lilley is survived by his wife, Christine, daughter, Mackenzie and son, Cole of Spring Lake, N.C.; parents Arthur and Elizabeth Lilley of Smithfield, Pa.; brother Michael Lilley and wife Katya half-brothers Bruce Sanford and wife Mary and James Sanford and wife Beth; halfsisters Sandra Horton and husband Rick and Jessica Barnett; grandmother Evelyn Barrett; grandparents Arthur and Edith Lilley, Ralph and Louise Barrett, and Jerry and Sondra Tate.
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.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 30 June 2007 OIF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Robb L. Rolfing, died from wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq, June 30, 2007. He was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Carson, Colo.
Rolfing, 29, was killed by small arms fire while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.
He was born Dec. 4, 1977, and was a native of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Three years after graduating from Vassar College, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., with a degree in astronomy, Rolfing enlisted in the Army in January 2003 as an infantryman. Upon completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Company B, 3rd Bn, 187th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky., and joined the “Rakkasans” in Iraq as an automatic rifleman on his first deployment.
In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He graduated from SFQC and earned the Special Forces tab in 2005 and was then assigned to 10th SFG(A).
Rolfing’s military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course and the Basic Air Assault Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Rolfing is survived by his parents Rex and Margie Rolfing, his brother Todd Rolfing, and his sister Tiffany Rolfing of Sioux Falls, S.D.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 741
18 E
Date KIA: 12 August 2007 OEF
Location: Bar Kalakney Village, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt Jesse G. Clowers, Jr., was killed in action on August 12, 2007 near Bar Kalakney Village, Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Clowers, 27, was a Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A), Fort Bragg, NC. Clowers, of Lebanon, Va., enlisted as an infantryman in June 2004. He served as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga., upon his enlistment until 2006. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2006 and was assigned as a communications sergeant with Co A, 2/7th SFG (A). He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Afghanistan with Co A, 2/7 th SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Clowers’ military education include the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Spanish Basic Military Language Course.
Awards: Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine, son Jesse, and daughter Danielle of Fayetteville, N.C. mother Joyce of Roanoke, Va. and sister Angela of Herndon, Va.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 741
18 C
Date KIA: 12 August 2007 OEF
Location: Bar Kalakney Village, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey D. Kettle was killed in action on August 12, 2007 near Bar Kalakney Village, Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, while serving with ODA 741, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Kettle, 31, was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to ODA 741, Company A, 2nd Bn., 7th SFG(A), Fort Bragg, NC. Kettle, of Texas City, TX, enlisted as an infantryman in September 1993. He served as an infantryman in Hawaii in 1994.
He then served with the 1 st Bn., 503 rd Airborne Infantry at Caserma Ederle, Italy in 1995. After serving six years at Fort Benning, Ga., in various positions Kettle was assigned to here to 3rd Bn., 505 th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2006 and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with A Co, 2/7th SFG (A). He spent one tour of duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in 2003 and had recently begun his second tour of duty in Afghanistan with A Co, 2/7 th SFG(A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Kettle’s military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Air Assault Course, the Ranger Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Parachutist Jumpmasters Course and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.
He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and sons Jeffrey and Logan of Raeford, NC, and parents Ronald and Cynthia of League City, Texas.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 072
18 C
Date KIA: 15 August 2007 OIF
Location: Diyala Province, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli, was killed in action on Aug. 15, while conducting combat operations in the Diyala Province of Iraq, while serving with ODA 072, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Pirelli, 29, of Franklin, Mass., enlisted as an infantryman in Dec. 2003. He later attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating in 2005 and was assigned as an engineer sergeant with 10th SFG (A) Fort Carson, Colo. He had recently begun his first tour of duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.
Pirelli’s military education include the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Arabic Basic (Modern Standard) Language Course.
Awards: two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Pirelli is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy Pirelli, brother Shawn, and sister Stacey, of Franklin, Mass.
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 3 rd Bn., 325 th 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, 82 nd Airborne Division.
In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg to become a Special Forces engineer. He earned the coveted “Green Beret’ in 2005 and was assigned to the 1 st SFG(A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., in Mar 2006.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal Second Award, Army Achievement Medal Third Award, Good Conduct Medal Third Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Elizalde is survived by his daughter, Sydney Grace of Klamath Falls, Ore., and also by his parents, Jorge and Teresa Elizalde of Renton, Wash., and sister Rachel Elizalde of Renton, Wash.
1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 2nd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 23 August 2007 OIF
Location: Al Aziziyah, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Tully, 33, a Special Forces medic assigned to the Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Fort Lewis, Wash., died Aug. 23 from fatal wounds sustained when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Al Aziziyah, southeast of Baghdad, Iraq.
He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.
Tully was born and raised in Pa. After initially entering military service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he transferred to the U.S. Army in 1997. Tully was assigned as an infantryman in Company E, 313 th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82 nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Tully then served as a Long Range Surveillance Detachment assistant team leader in the same unit one year later.
In 2004, he was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg to become a Special Forces medic. He earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to the 1 st SFG(A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., in Dec 2006.
Tully’s military education also includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Airborne Course, Military Free Fall Parachutist Course, Ranger Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course, and Special Forces Diving Supervisors Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation , Good Conduct Medal Second Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Scuba Diver Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Tully is survived by his wife, Heather of Columbus, Ga., and his son, Slade of North Port, Fla. He is also survived by his father and stepmother, Jack and Marilyn Tully of Falls Creek, Pa., mother Dolores Newman of Glendale, Ariz., brother John Tully of Anchorage, Alaska (currently serving in Iraq), and his sister Heather A. Farkas of Northampton, Pa.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 2nd Battalion
ODA: 354
18
Date KIA: 14 October 2007 OIF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Justin S. Monschke, 28, was killed in action on Oct. 14, while conducting combat operations in the South Baghdad Region of Arab Jabour while serving with ODA 354 of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula. This was his second deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and his first deployment to Iraq.
Monschke, a native of Denton, Texas, graduated from Krum High School in 1997. He enlisted in the Army on June 12, 1997 as an Airborne Infantryman. In 2002 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
Monschke’s military education includes the Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course; Special Forces Advance Recon Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course; Basic Airborne Course; Jumpmaster Course; Emergency Medical Technician – Ambulance Course; Air Assault Course; Ranger Course; Warrior Leaders Course; Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course; Combat Lifesavers Course; Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Monschke is survived by his wife, Melissa; daughter, Ashley; son, Ryan; and stepson, Dylan, of Lillington, N.C.; father, Larry Monschke, of Ft. Worth, Texas; and mother, Patty Jett, of Denton, Texas.
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 StudentAthlete 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.
20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA: 2132
18 A
Date KIA: 29 October 2007 OEF
Location: Kajaki, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Major Jeffrey R. Calero, 34, was killed in action on Oct. 29, while conducting a combat patrol in the southern Afghan city of Kajaki while serving with ODA 2132 of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Summer 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Calero, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Queens Village, N.Y. graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory High School in Queens, N.Y. where he excelled in football. Upon graduation he received a partial scholarship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He voluntarily enrolled in ROTC and upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1995 was commissioned as a Infantry 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. In 2001 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
As a civilian, Calero worked in New York City as a Mechanical Engineer. He was working towards earning his Professional Engineering License to open his own firm.
Calero’s military education includes; Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Ranger Course, Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medals, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. He was also authorized the following Commonwealth of Massachusetts awards: Mass. Service Medal, Mass. Defense Service Medal, Mass. Defense Expeditionary Medal and the Mass. Emergency Service Ribbon.
Calero was posthumously promoted to the rank of major.
Calero is survived by his father and mother, Raymond and Roselle Calero both of Queens, N.Y.; brother, Dennis Calero; sister, Irene and sister, Joyce Crespo and three nieces, Amelia, Lauren and Claire.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 7 November 2007 OIF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Hostile
Capt. Benjamin Tiffner, 31, was killed in action when his vehicle encountered an IED in the course of conducting a ground convoy in Baghdad. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha team leader assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula. This was his second deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Tiffner, a native of Ohio, graduated from the United States Military Academy as an infantry officer in 2000. In 2006 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
Tiffner’s military education includes; Infantry Officers Basic Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course; Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Tiffner is survived by his parents, Timothy and Judith of Soldotna, Alaska.
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA: 021
18
Date KIA: 10 November 2007 OEF
Location: Tagab Valley, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Staff Sgt. Patrick F. Kutschbach, 25, was killed in action on Nov. 10, while conducting combat operations in the southern end of the Tagab Valley while serving with Operational Detachment Alpha 021 of Company B, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007 as a member of the International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan. He had deployed to various locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism and this was his first deployment to Afghanistan.
Kutschbach, a native of Pennsylvania, volunteered for military service and enlisted into the Army in Oct. 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2004 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
Kutschbach’s military education include? the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, ISAF NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Kutschbach is survived by his wife, Ginger, son, Bastian, of Atoka, Tenn., father, David, of Pittsburgh, Pa., mother, Debbie Huffner, and brothers David and Andrew, of McKees Rocks, Pa.
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