5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company D, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 2 January 2008 OEF
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
Action: Non-Hostile
Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth, 24, died as a result of a nonbattle death accident on Jan. 2, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force Arabian Peninsula. This was his second deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror. Maseth, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, volunteered for military service and enlisted into the Army in June 2001 as an infantryman. In 2007 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
Maseth’s military education includes the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Unit Armor Training Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, Air Assault Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Army Superior Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge
Maseth is survived by his mother Cheryl A. Harris, of Cranberry Township, father, Douglas, and brothers', Brandon and Adam, all of Allison Park, Pa.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 D
Date KIA: 19 January 2008
Location: Mosul, Iraq
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting, 27, was killed in action on Jan. 19 when his vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting combat operations 16 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He has had two previous combat tours to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 with 3rd Bn., 5th SFG(A), and was on his third combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
Whiting was born in Texas and his military records list his home of record as Tennessee. He volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army on Dec. 15, 1999. He would go on to earn the coveted “Green Beret” in 2000.
Whiting’s military education includes the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global on War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Special Forces Tab.
Whiting is survived by his mother, Estelline, of Colorado Springs, Colo., father, Randall, of Hancock, N.Y., sister, Amanda, of DuPont, Wash., and brother, Nathan, of Dover, Tenn.
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 3rd Battalion
ODA: 3312
18 B
Date KIA: 25 January 2008
Location: Barikowt, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, 24, was killed in action Jan. 25, 2008 while conducting combat operations near Barikowt, Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to Co. A, 3rd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Staff Sgt. Miller was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by the President at the White House on Oct. 6, 2010. The Medal of Honor is the highest award bestowed an individual for acts of heroism. The award was presented to the family.
Miller was born on October 14, 1983 in Harrisburg, Penn. He grew up in Wheaton, IL where he attended Wheaton North High School. He attended one year at the University of Iowa and then volunteered for military service.
Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee in Iowa City, Iowa on Aug. 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga., Jan. 6, 2004. Miller graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course Sep. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course Mar. 4, 2005. He received the Special Forces Tab and was promoted to Sgt. after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course, Sep. 30, 2005. Miller was assigned to Co. A, 3rd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.
In 2006, Miller deployed with 3rd SFG (A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the Army Commendation Medal for valor for his display of courage. He was also promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. In October 2007, he deployed for a second tour in Afghanistan, where he served as the Weapons Sergeant for his team.
His military training included: Warrior Leader Course; Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course; Basic Airborne Course; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course; Special Forces Qualification Course; Special Forces Heavy Weapons Course; and the U.S. Army Ranger School.
Awards: Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Special Forces tab and Ranger tab.
Staff Sgt. Miller is survived by his parents, Philip and Maureen Miller, his brothers, Thomas, Martin and Edward, and his sisters, Joanna, Mary, Therese and Patricia, all from Oviedo, Fla.
www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 22 March 2008 OEF
Location: Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. William R. Neil, Jr., 38, was killed in action when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device on March 22 near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, while serving with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force Afghanistan. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror.
Neil, a native of Holmdel, N.J., volunteered for military service and enlisted into the Army in Jan. 1998 as a supply specialist. His first duty assignment was with the 4 th Ranger Training Battalion at Ft. Benning, Ga., from Sept. 1998 through Oct. 2003. He later attended and graduated from Ranger School before attending the Special Forces Qualification Course. In 2006 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”
Neil’s military education include; the Total Army Instructor Training Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger Course, and the Basic Airborne Course.
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, six Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Weapons Qualification Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Neil is survived by his parents William Sr., and Patricia, of Holmdel, N.J.; and sisters, Patricia, Barbara, and Veronica.
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 17 April 2008 OIF
Location: Sama Village, Iraq
Action: Hostile - IED
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown, 29, was killed in action in the early morning hours on April 17 when he was struck by small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Sama Village, Iraq. He was a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He was on his second combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terror with 3rd Bn., 5th SFG(A).
Brown was born in Texas and his military records list his home of record as Magnolia, Texas. He volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army on March 25, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate. He would go on to earn the coveted “Green Beret” in 2004.
His military education includes the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, Jumpmaster Course, Free Fall Parachutist Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course and Advanced Explosive Techniques Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global on War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.
Brown is survived by his daughter, Alyssa Gomez, of Cypress, Texas; mother, Rosemary, and father, James, of Cartwright, Okla.
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
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.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company C, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 27 June 2008 OEF
Location: Lamay, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile - Small Arms
Staff Sgt. Travis K. Hunsberger, 24, was killed in action on June 27, while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in Lamay, Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was assigned to Company C, 1st 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 second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and his second deployment to Afghanistan.
Hunsberger, a native of Goshen, Ind., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in June 2004 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2006 he earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in Sept. 2006.
Hunsberger’s military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal (second award), Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Hunsberger is survived by his wife, Hannah, of Fayetteville, N.C.; parents Steven and Ronda Hunsberger, of Goshen, Ind.; brother, Kyle Hunsberger; and sister, Kelsey Hunsberger, both also of Goshen, Ind.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 June 2008 OEF
Location: Khosrow-E Sofla, Afghanistan
Action: Non-Hostile
SFC. Rada Morales 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 second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and second deployment to Afghanistan.
The accident came just 2 weeks after an engagement with enemy insurgents in which Rada Morales charged an insurgent machine gun position under heavy fire. His actions eliminated several insurgents, keeping allied Afghan forces and his fellow Special Forces Soldiers safe.
Rada Morales’ military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Instructor Training Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal , Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
SFC. Rada Morales is survived by his wife, Amanda, son, Andrew and daughter, Jessica, of Fayetteville, N.C.; and mother Virginia Morales, of Dorado, Puerto Rico.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 June 2008
Location: Khosrow-E Sofla, Afghanistan
Action: Non-Hostile
MSG. Simmons 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 second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and second deployment to Afghanistan.
Simmons’ military education includes; the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course, Ranger Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Military Freefall Parachutist Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Instructor Training Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (second award), two Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medial, Combat Infantryman Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist BadgeJumpmaster, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
Simmons is survived by his wife, Tricia, daughter, Erin and son, Justin, of Hope Mills, N.C.; and mother Alberta Simmons, of Tallahassee, Fla.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company A, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 June 2008 OEF
Location: Khosrow-E Sofla, Afghanistan
Action: Non-Hostile
SGT Treber 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 first deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.
Treber, a native of San Diego, Calif., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in October 2005 as a Special Forces candidate. In 2007 he earned the coveted “Green Beret” and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG (A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., in November 2007 as a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha weapons sergeant.
In the final minutes of Sgt. James Treber’s life, frigid water filling his armored truck, the 24-year-old freed a pinned comrade and shoved the man into the small air pocket he’d been using to breathe. Treber didn’t make it out of the canal in Afghanistan alive, but he saved another Special Forces soldier. The Army presented his family with a Soldier’s Medal — an award for heroism performed while not in combat.
“It is the beginning of the healing process,” his father, Gordon Treber of Astoria, Ore., said Wednesday. He said earlier this week that he was proud of his son.
“What a tragic yet remarkable story of courage, selfless service and the willingness to give one’s life for the sake of another,” said Col. James Kraft, the 7th Special Forces Group commander, at the ceremony. “Sgt. Treber’s character was in full display that heartbreaking evening, and we will forever remember and cherish his heroic actions.”
SGT. Treber’s military education includes; the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
Treber is survived by his wife, Tamila, of Daytona Fla.; father, Gordon Treber, of Astoria, Ore.; mother, Laurie Treber, of Mohave, Ariz.; and brother, Gordon Treber, Jr., of National City, Calif.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 Z
Date KIA: 13 July 2008
Location: Kajaki Sofla, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
MSG. Young 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 fourth deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and third deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team sergeant.
A native of Jonesboro, Ga., Young volunteered for military service and entered the Army in January 1991 as an infantryman. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Co. A, 3rd Bn., 27th Infantry Regiment at Fort Ord, Calif. In 1993 he became a squad leader when he moved to 3rd Bn., 502nd Inf. Regiment. at Fort Campbell, Ky.
In 1995 he moved to Germany and was assigned to Co. B, 1st Bn., 4th Inf. Regiment. Young began the Special Forces Qualification Course and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in 1999 and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha communications sergeant. He left 3rd SFG(A) in 2004 to become a team sergeant at the United States Army Tactical Review Board, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to his current position at 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) in October 2007.
Youngs’ military education includes the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Jumpmaster Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
MSG. Young is survived by his wife, Robyn, of Fayetteville, N.C., and his mother, Jane Young, of Jonesboro, Ga.
Awards: 3 Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medial, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Young is survived by his wife, Robyn, of Fayetteville, N.C.; and his mother, Jane Young, of Jonesboro, 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.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18 A
Date KIA: 29 September 2008 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Capt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr., 29, was killed Sept. 29 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Sept. 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 first deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha team commander.
Cliff was a native of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and was commissioned in June 2002 after graduation from Appalachian State University, Boone N.C. After a variety of infantry positions in the Army he began the Special Forces Qualification Course June 2007 and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in July 2008.
Cliff’s military education includes the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, five Army Commendation Medals (one for valor), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Stacy, and son, Richard, of Sanford, N.C., mother Julie Cliff, and father Richard Cliff, Sr., and brother Eddie Cliff, all of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: Company B, 1st Battalion
ODA:
18
Date KIA: 29 September 2008 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Jamie S. Nicholas, 32, was killed Sept. 29 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st 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 second deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and second deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha senior weapons sergeant.
Nicholas, a native of Maysel, W.Va., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in Aug. 1994 as an infantryman. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Co. A, 2nd Bn., 327th Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. In 1997 he became a team leader when he moved to Co. C, 1st BN., 508th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at Camp Ederle, Italy. He volunteered for recruiting duty in 2001 and was assigned to the Pittsburgh, Pa. Recruiting Bn. Upon successful completion of that tour, he was assigned as a squad leader when he moved to Co. B, 2nd Bn., 1st Infantry Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course 2005 and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in 2006 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha weapons sergeant.
Nicholas’ military education includes the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Northern Warfare Course, Recruiting Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Combat Lifesavers Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: two Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, U.S. Army Recruiter Badge (gold), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Nicholas is survived by his wife, Michelle, stepson, Brenton Troup and stepdaughter, Sharise Troup, of Hope Mills, N.C., mother Karen Nicholas, and father Burke Nicholas, both of Wallback, W.Va.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Assignment: 3rd Battalion
ODA:
18 C
Date KIA: 29 September 2008 OEF
Location: Yakhchal, Afghanistan
Action: Hostile
Sgt. 1st Class Gary J. Vasquez, 33, was killed Sept. 29 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st 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 third deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational DetachmentAlpha senior engineer sergeant.
Vasquez, a native of Round Lake, Ill., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in Jan. 2000 as a cavalry scout. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Ky., he was assigned to Troop. A, 1st Bn., 17th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course 2002 and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in 2004 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces engineer sergeant.
Vasquez’s military education includes the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Air Movement Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Ranger Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.
Awards: three Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Vasquez is survived by his wife, Sarah, of Raeford, N.C., mother, Margaret Du Hasek, and brother, Barry Du Hasek, both of Highland, Ill.
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