VUFB partnering with Medals of Honor

Nov. 8, 2017

Through a special partnership with Medals of Honor, Vanderbilt’s Deep Water uniforms will feature names of fallen servicemen and women on the back with the soldiers’ military branch patch on the front of the jersey. The Commodores’ coaching staff will wear special Salute to Service sweatshirts with names of fallen servicemen and women on the front and their branch patches on the sleeve.

Below is a roster of Commodores along with the person they are representing on Saturday. The bios were submitted by family or friends of the fallen.

SSG Frank E. Adamski III — Army // 66 Cameron Robinson
• Joined in 2005 at age 21
• Deployed in Iraq from 2006-2007
• Anti-Armor Missile instructor
• When enlistment ended, he re-enlisted & joined 101st Airborne, Air Assault NO SLACK Battalion.
• In 2010 deployed to Afghanistan and with 2 weeks left till he returned home he was killed in action. A few hour mission turned into a 9 day firefight.
• A caring, happy person who took care of everyone.
• Could make anyone laugh with his quick wit.
• Left behind a wife a daughter
• Died in action March 29, 2011

SPC Trevor Adkins — Army // 98 Ryley Guay
• Trevor loved his family and friends
• His dream was to be a K9 Officer
• His biggest fear was being forgotten
• Died in action July 8, 2012

SGT Scott Angel II — Army // 38 Gil Barksdale
• Was a Blackhawk crew chief at Ft. Campbell, KY
• Left behind a daughter, Sophia, who was 5 weeks old at the time of his passing
• Died September 11, 2007

SFC Ofren Arrechaga — Army // 58 Justin Skule
• Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (NO SLACK), 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
• Survived by his wife, Seana, and son Alston and also daughter Tristian
• Died in action March 29, 2011

SPC Ryan Baker — Army // 71 Jared Southers
• Aged 24, of Brown Mills, N.J.
• Assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Nov. 15 when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq.
• Baker was one of 17 soldiers killed in Mosul, Iraq, on Nov. 15 when two Black Hawk helicopters collided. A rocket-propelled grenade fired from the ground is believed to have caused the crash, Army officials said.
• Baker, 24, was in New Jersey less than two weeks before his death for his father Dane’s funeral. While in Burlington County, he was eager to get back to his helicopter crew in Iraq — they were his closest friends, his family told the Courier Post of Cherry Hill.
• During the service, six pallbearers from the Army folded an American flag over a gray coffin. A distant bell tolled the noon hour. Baker’s mother, Victoria, cried as soldiers handed her the folded flag.

Sgt. Kevin Balduf — Marines // Derek Mason
• Wanted to be a marine since he was 7 years old
• Signed up for Delayed Entry and went to boot camp right out of high school.
• Deployed with 22nd MEU in 2004 & 2006 to Afghanistan & Iraq.
• Killed on his second deployment to Afghanistan in May 2011
• Kevin was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Valor on his first deployment to Afghanistan for stepping in to the open and calling an airstrike (that he was not formally trained to do) as his group was being ambushed from above in the mountains of Afghanistan.
• Kevin has a twin brother and his mother is Vanderbilt employee of 25 years

SSGT Nolan Parks Barham — Army // 4 Emmanuel Smith
• Signed up for service after 9/11
• All around amazing man
• Loved his country with all of his heart
• Died in action October 10, 2014

1SG Robert Barton — Army // 15 Alex Stump
• Bobby loved football
• Having his name worn on a jersey during a game will be one of the best ways to honor his memory
• He took care of his men and their families
• Died in action June 7, 2010

CPL David Bass — Marines // 26 Andrew Rector
• Aged 20, from Nashville, Tenn.
• Assigned to elements of the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Died April 2 when the seven-ton truck he was riding in rolled over in a flash flood near Asad, Iraq.

SGT Williams Bays — Army // 27 Jaire George
• Loved his family above all
• An incredible father who loved to fight for his country
• His wife misses him with all of her hear
• Died June 10, 2017

CTI PO2 Matthew Bergman — Navy // 92 Jonah Buchanan
• Matt joined the Navy on the last day of his Junior year of high school.
• He graduated from Franklin High School in 2008
• He was lost at sea in the Gulf of Aden
• I hope no one ever forgets him or any others who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
• MIA since July 26, 2011

SFC Michael Braden — Army // 84 Sam Dobbs
• 26 year veteran of the TN Army National Guard
• Wonderful husband and father of 4
• Was the Readiness NCO of the Lobelville 278th armory, TN Wildlife Hunter Safety Instructor, a USA Jr. Boxing judge and a mentor to many children in the court system
• Died in action July 9, 2014

SGT Edward “Devon” Brooks — Army // 3 Taurean Ferguson
• Wonderful son
• Served 3 tours of duty in Iraq
• Loved his country enough to sacrifice his life
• Loved and missed greatly by his family
• Died August, 29,2007

E8 Lester Brooks — Army // 49 Jonathan Wynn
• Courageous, beautiful minded person
• Loved his family
• Loved his country
• Loved God
• Died in action April 4, 1949

SSG Bryan Burgess — Army // 14 Kyle Shurmur
• Cleburne, TX native
• 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (NO SLACK), 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
• Had less than a month before deployment was set to end
• Featured in the documentary “The Hornet’s Nest”
• Survived by 2 daughters and wife
• Died in action March 19, 2011

COL Charles W. Burkart Jr. — Air Force // 8 Joejuan Williams
• Pilot of a B-57 that did not return from a night bombing mission over Laos June 13, 1966
• MIA since June 13, 1966
• Crash site discovered after 50 years, identified by serial numbers from jet engine blades
• Crash site on future excavation list to look for remains.
• Military Medals: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

SGT Michael Cable– Army // 57 Ean Pfeifer
• Loved life and lived it as best as he could
• Huge Green Bay Packers Fan
• Son, Brother, Uncle
• Died in action March 27, 2013

SGT Kenith Casica — Army // 33 Jay Hockaday
• A true joker at heart
• He loved to make people laugh and could light up a room with his jokes
• He made an effort to help every person he ever met
• Loved his God and his country
• Died December 10, 2005

SFC Michael Cathcart — Army // 75 Bailey Grainer
• Aged 31, of Bay City, Mich.
• Died Nov. 14, in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
• Green Beret
• Cathcart was a Bay City Central High School graduate and enlisted in the Army in 2001
• His battalion commander, Lt. Col. Michael Sullivan, said in an email that the unit known as the “Bushmen” had “lost one of our nation’s finest.” Cathcart “died a true warrior with his fellow teammates at his side,” Sullivan wrote.
• “The Bushmen will always remember Mike’s love for the hockey rink and his contagious smile,” said Sullivan. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mike in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead.”
• Cathcart served in Iraq in 2003 and 2005 and volunteered for Special Forces in 2007, according to a statement from Fort Bragg. He joined the 3rd Special Forces Group in 2009 as an engineer.
• His many awards include three Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart Medal and four Army Commendation Medals, the statement said.
• Cathcart’s body was being transported from Germany to Dover, Delaware, Air Force Base, to be met by his mother, Jeanne Cathcart, and his sister, Trishia. A memorial service likely will take place at Fort Bragg, with a service in Bay City to follow, his mother told the newspaper. Arrangements had not yet been completed Sunday.
• Cathcart came from a military heritage, his family said. His uncle, Steven Cathcart, served in the Army during the first Gulf War, and his grandfather, Mike Cathcart, served in the Army in the 1950s and 1960s.

SGT Anthony Del Mar Peterson — Army // 74 Cole Clemons
• Loved God and participated in many Christian organizations in college
• Died in action on his 2nd tour of Duty in Afghanistan

CPL Isaac Edward Diaz – Army // Matt Britain
• 26, of Rio Hondo, Texas
• Diaz died in Sharona, Afghanistan, when his military vehicle rolled over. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Died on December 1, 2004.
• Born July 3, 1978
• Son Aaron Diaz
• Wife Amber Diaz

SFC Shawn Dostie — Army // 88 Michael Owusu
• Had an amazing spirit
• Always willing to do for others before doing for himself
• Loved his family, friends, country, and those he served with
• Died December 30, 2005

Major Thomas Duckett — Air Force // 19 C.J. Duncan
• Graduate of Ringgold HS in Ringgold, GA
• Shot down and neither he or his copilot were ever recovered.
• We have never given up hope he would come home.
• Our life’s mission is to make sure our community and younger generations never forget his sacrifice
• MIA since December 12, 1970

PV2 Cody Duncan — Army // Jeff Genyk
• Cody was home on leave from his deployment and was killed by a drunk driver
• Died December 25, 2011

SPC Jason Edens — Army // Andy Ludwig
• Aged 22, of Franklin, Tenn.
• Assigned to 1st Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas
• Died April 26 in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained April 15 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, caused by small-arms fire.
• Edens was an infantryman who joined the Arm in January 2009 in Nashville and was previously stationed at Fort Benning, Ga.
• His awards and decorations include Purple Heart, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge-Expert with Rifle.
• Edens graduated from Franklin High School in 2007, according to the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
• Edens is survived by his wife Ashley Edens of Elizabethton, his mother Janet Crane of Phoenix City, Alabama and his father James Edens of Franklin.

SGT Blake Evans — Army // 35 Frank Coppet
• Died in action May 25, 2008 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
• Aged 24, of Rockford, Ill.
• Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 25
• A married father of two from Rockford on his second tour of duty in Iraq
• Belk said his nephew’s tour was scheduled to end in December and that Evans was looking forward to returning home on leave next month to spend time with his wife, Shannon, and his two children, the youngest of whom Belk said is turning 2 years old next week.
• Belk said he did not know exactly what Evans was doing in recent days but that the tour of duty had been particularly trying.
• “There was a lot of death, a lot of fighting, that sort of thing,” he said.
• Belk said Evans had hoped both to further his education and make the military his career.

SPC Dustin Feldhaus — Army // Cortez Hankton
• Always had a great shot with a gun
• Was made the squad designated marksmen by brothers in No. Slack C Co. 2327
• Died on March 29, 2011

CPL Jesse Ferrer — Marines // 74 Jay Woods
• Jesse Daniel Ferrer, age 23, from Mt. Juliet, TN 23, of Mt. Juliet, TN.
• Died on December 2, 2015.
• Jesse was a member of Joy Church and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
• He attended Mt. Juliet High School and graduated from Wilson Central High School. Jesse was currently enrolled at Middle Tennessee State during the time of his passing

SGT John Franklin — Army // 2 Deuce Wallace
• KIA in combat in during TET Offense on April 26, 1968
• Well decorated and received the Silver Star shortly before his death
• Formed great connections with his fellow soldiers who still remain in contact with his family after 50 years

FCC Jacques Fontan — Navy // James Dobson
• Died June 28, 2005
• He was one of 16 service members killed when a MH-47 Chinook Helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
• The force was on a daring night mission to reinforce a four-man SEAL reconnaissance squad that had been ambushed in 10,000 foot mountainous terrain.
• A total of 11 SEALs died that day in the Global War on Terror. He was assigned to an East Coast based SEAL team.

SGT Ronald Forsythe II — Army // 25 Josh Smith
• Loved his family more than anything in the world
• Incredible Loyal: “He would give you the shirt off of his back if he could”
• Touched the lives of everyone he knew
• Died September 13, 2012

SGT Thomas Foskey — Army // 28 Allan George
• Died in action in the Gander Newfoundland crash December 12, 1985
• Beloved by his family, friends and fellow soldiers
• A true hero and remembered as someone who would go to the ends of the earth for his country

CSM Noel S. Foster — Army // 57 Josiah Sa’o
• 30 years of service in the US. Army
• Left behind 4 children and 10 grandchildren
• A “soldier’s solider”
• Courageous natural born leader who loved to train new soldiers
• Incredibly loving and devoted father
• Died in action September 1, 2017

PFC Bryce Gautier — Army // 99 Stone Edwards
• Aged 22, of Cypress, Calif.
• Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
• Died April 10 in Mosul, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by a suicide bomber.
• Gautier envisioned a career as a nurse
• Bryce E. Gautier decided to join the Army two years ago, writing on his MySpace page: “I am ready to finally grow up.” “I need a change, I need some structure,” he wrote. “I want to have my family be proud of me for what and who I am.”
• His brother Evan said Gautier had the ability to remain calm in emergencies and never flinched at the site of blood. “He always really wanted to help people,” his brother said. “He was going to hopefully make a difference, saving lives.”
• He also is survived by his mother, Heidi Frankel. Gautier’s father — whom he described as “my biggest hero ever” — died April 10, 2008, one year to the day of his death.

PFC Alva Gaylord — Army // 97 Reid Nelson
• Aged 25, of Carrollton, Missouri
• Died on May 5, 2006.
• Died from injuries sustained in Qasr Ar Riyy, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicle during a combat clearing operation.
• He was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 110th Engineer Battalion, Kansas City, Missouri.

LCPL Benjamin H. Gearheart — Marines // 17 Tommy Openshaw
• 1st Marine Division, 1st LAR BN D. Company
• During a training maneuver the LAV he was in went down on a mountainside on base at Camp Pendleton, CA
• Left behind mom, dad, and 3 brothers
• Died from injuries received in the accident August 27, 1997

CW3 Thomas Gibbons — Army // 54 Kade Mayle
• Assigned to the elite 160th Special Ops Aviation Regiment (SOAR)
• Tommy loved life, his country, and most of all his daughters Lauren & Emily.
• He had an infectious laugh and smile
• Died in action January 30, 2003

PFC Robert Giffen — Army // 82 Turner Cockrell
• Born Sept. 25, 1995. Died Sept. 12, 2015.
• Army, PFC, longtime Colorado Springs resident.
• Died during a training mission when his truck rolled off the road
• Giffen served as an Opposition Force Specialist while assigned to 5th Ranger Training Battalion

CPL Marcus Golczynksi — Marines // 90 Cameron Tidd
• Aged 30, of Lewisburg, Tenn.
• Assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Nashville, Tenn.
• Died March 27 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
• He is the son of Elaine Huffines, a teacher at Forrest School in Chapel Hill, and Henry Golczynski, the co-owner of Franklin’s Printworks in Murfreesboro.
• According to a statement from his father, the Marine was only two weeks away from the end of his second deployment in Iraq.

PV2 Phillip Hall — Army // 11 Charles Wright
• A loving and very committed soldier
• Died in action July 18, 1976
• Beloved by his family, friends and fellow soldiers
• A true war hero

SGT James Hall Jr. — Army // 39 Bailey McElwain
• US Army Specialist James Edward “Jimmy” Hall Jr died in his sleep in Miamisburg, Ohio on 11th November 2011. He had been severely injured by a bomb blast in Afghanistan in May 2011 and was evacuated to the USA to recover.27-year-old Spc. Hall had suffered facial burns, chest injuries and a traumatic brain injury and was evacuated first to Germany and then to the US. Four days before he was injured, his wife Laura gave birth to the couple’s son, Aiden James Hall.
• He joined the Army about five years ago and served in Iraq for a year.

SGT David Hart — Army // 44 Jalen Pinkney
• Met him when I was 12 years old
• Contagious smile, wild heart, passion, and love for people
• By age 18 we were in love
• By 18 he had already traveled to Tahiti, Australia, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Hungary, and New Zealand
• Was 6’3 with red hair and blue eyes and fit in with everyone
• Assigned to 327 Infantry in the 101st Airborne Division
• Served for 4 years and was asked to tour once more alongside his brothers, I asked him not to go.
• He looked me in the eye and said “I am here to give the Army all that I have to offer, to serve whomever I can, to serve my leaders, my men, and you. I can not leave them.”
• I never again asked David to stay behind, I knew that asking him such a question was asking him to be less then who he is. He is warrior, like many, who believe in a cause greater than self preservation, a cause their devoted to even unto death, it is written into the fabric of their being.
• How was it that David and the men beside him willingly lay down their life for people like us? Love. Without deep unconditional love, selfless actions can not be performed. “The heart of a man is like deep water.” Proverbs 20:5
• Died in action January 8, 2008

1LT Robert Henderson — Army // 51 Tommy Schiager
• Assigned to Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, 2123rd Transportation Company
• He died in Diwaniyah, Iraq when his convoy tried to avoid an overturned trailer and came under a small arms attack

SPC Russell S. Hercules Jr. — Army // 23 Khari Blasingame
• Russell AKA “Bubba”
• KIA October 01, 2009 Wardak Province, Afghanistan, he served with the 101st Airborne Division, Pathfinder Co. Team 4, 159th CAB, 101 Combat Aviation Regiment, Ft Campbell, KY
• Russell was always so full of life, He loved life and loved living, never met a stranger, always had a smile on his face.
• Just before he died his son was born, he spent two weeks with him then went back to Afghanistan
• Russell is and always will be missed by so many. I miss him every single day of my life and will forever cherish the 22 years that I was blessed to have him.

CPL Cory M. Hewitt — Army // 78 Bryce Bailey
• Loved playing football and sports in general
• Always had a smile and a kind word for everybody
• Believed in God, family, and country
• Died December 21, 2004

SFC Luke Hortenstine — Army // 81 James Bostic
• Died in action November 14, 2015
• Age 35 of Cumberland Furnace, TN
• Was a beloved husband, father and son

SPC Christopher Horton — Army // 20 Oren Burks
• From Collinsville, OK
• Assigned to 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
• Died in action September 9, 2011 in Zurmat district, Paktya province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attached his unit with small arms

LTC Leon James — Army // 2 Arnold Tarpley
• 23 years of active service
• Being a soldier was all he ever wanted to do
• Was battalion commander assigned at Fort Drum, NY
• Had 3 daughters
• Died on October 10, 2005 due to complications from an IED while serving in Iraq

Specialist Charles Jirtle — Army // 7 Dimitri Moore
• He loved his kids: Cheyenne, Chelsie, and Jordan
• Loved fishing and sports
• Died June 7, 2010

CPL Jeffery Johnson — Marines // 48 Andre Mintze
• Age 21 from Tomball, Texas
• Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Died May 11 from an IED while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan
• Johnson, who enlisted in 2007, was on his second deployment.

SSG James Johnston — Army // 5 LaDarius Wiley
• Age 21 from Tomball, Texas
• Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Died May 11 from an IED while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan
• Johnson, who enlisted in 2007, was on his second deployment.

Major Jason Jones — Army // Marc Mattioli
• Aged 35, from Warrenton, VA
• Died on December 7, 2016, while serving at Army Headquarters, 101 Airborne Division Fort Campbell, KY
• He was born in Buffalo N.Y., December 4, 1981.
• He attended Longwood University, resuming the ROTC program upon graduation he was commissioned into the US Army where he completed his studies and received his Masters Degree.
• His awards included Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal, 2; Army Achievement Medal, 3; Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), 2 National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star. His outstanding career in the US Army lasted 13 years 6 months. He was looking into retiring to spend more time with his daughter Bailey.
• He is survived by his mother Adriane Uhrich and sister Erin Jones of Warrenton, VA, his daughter Bailey Jones of Suffolk, VA, his grandparents Arthur and Rita Sadowski of Eden NY; uncle, aunts and extended family.

SGT Jeffery Kennedy — Army // 96 Darion DeBrossard
• Aged 25, of Winchester, TN passed away December 1, 2011.
• A 2005 class graduate of Franklin County High School. He was attending University of Tennessee Knoxville where he was majoring in Political Science. In 2006, he joined the United States Army
• He was awarded medals, ribbons, and badges for Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Lapel Button and Overseas Service Ribbon.
• He was currently serving in the Tennessee National Guard and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cowan.
• Jeffrey will be remembered as a free spirit and loving son and brother.

SFC Tony Knier — Army // 41 Baffour Osei
• Was all about his dedication to the United States
• Fulfilled his mission when he paid the ultimate sacrifice
• Died October 21, 2006

SPC Joshua Lancaster — Army // Osia Lewis
• Died in action on 1/19/2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked the Kandahar airfield with indirect fire.
• Josh was one of the most amazing, caring, thoughtful person you could ever meet. He was always smiling. He wanted everyone around him to smile as well. He was proud of serving his country.
• From Millbrook, AL. and was assigned to the 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Campbell, KY.

SPC Benjamin Leftrick — Army // 16 Kalija Lipscomb
• Proud of his country
• A true patriot
• Served 2 deployments
• Died in action October 1, 2012

SSG Henry Linck — Army // 29 Austin Quillen
• Our son, our hero was an Airborne Ranger with the 3rd/509th out of Ft. Richardson, AK
• Was an awesome son and soldier
• Always tried new things
• Loved the Army
• Died in action December 7, 2006

MSG. Todd Lowell — Army // 9 Caleb Scott
• Green Beret
• 22 years of Service
• Left behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter, Sophia, who is now 8.
• Died in action May 23, 2012

SGT Joshua Lukeala — Army // 42 Kenny Hebert
• Our oldest son
• Very respectful, well mannered and did things to help without being asked
• Outstanding marksman with Jr. ROTC
• From a young age, always wanted to be a soldier
• Joined right out of high school
• One thing he asked of his parents if something happened to him, was to be proud of him
• Died in action June 7, 2010

CPL Nicholas Manoukian — Marines // 76 Egidio DellaRipa
• Age 22, of Lathrup Village, Mich.
• Assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
• Killed Oct. 21 while conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq

Sgt. Bradley Marshall — Army // 4 Donaven Tennyson
• Aged 37, of Little Rock, Ark.
• Assigned to the 2nd Battalion 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska
• Died July 31 in Tunis, Iraq, of wounds sustained from enemy direct fire

SSG Brian Miller — Army // 80 Jared Pinkney
• Killed in a vehicle rollover in Iraq on August 2, 2008
• Showed extreme bravery and courage

PO3 Thomas Randall Mitchell – Navy // 56 Saige Young

SPC Raymond Neal Mitchell III — Army // Dare Odeyingbo
• 21 Years old at the time of his death
• Loved his country and his fellow soldiers with a passion
• Wonderful smile and gave incredible hugs
• Died in action January 6, 2007

SSG Shaun Mittler – Army // Rayna Stewart
• 32 of Austin, Texas
• Assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY
• Died July 10 at Combat Outpost Able Main, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire in Konar, Afghanistan.

SPC Brandon Mullins — Army // 24 Randall Haynie
• From Owensboro, Kentucky
• Avid hockey player and outdoorsman
• Friend to all
• Could light up the room with his smile
• Died August 25, 2011

Captain Joshua Lawrence — Army // Cameron Norcross
• Born and raised in Nashville
• Attended Hume Fogg High School and Austin Peay State University
• Wonderful young man with a laugh you could recognize in a crowd
• Killed on October 8, 2011 during active duty in Afghanistan

PFC Andrew Meari — Army // 56 Braden Kopp
• Was an only child
• Proud Infantryman with the 101st Airborne, 1/502nd
• Died November 1, 2010 6 weeks after his 21st birthday

MSG Cliff Maurer — Army // 12 Jacob Free
• Died in action May 12, 2012
• Member of the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Texas Army National Guard
• Highly revered by his fellow soldiers

SSG Kenneth McAninch — Army // 18 Colin Anderson
• Aged 28, of Logansport, Ind.
• Assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Died Oct. 21 at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

SGT Bryan McCabe — Army // 17 Feleti Afemui
• Born and raised in England but had more love and patriotism for the US and Army than many
• Loved the Army and the Airborne
• Died in action August 11, 2013

SPC William McClellan — Army // 73 Johnathan Stewart
• He overcame neglect, abuse, and drug addict to get into the Army
• Was going to be a Special Needs teacher when he got back from deployment
• Loved his family
• Died in action November 6, 2008

SPC Ivan Merlo — Army // 18 Hayden Pegley
• Lovable jokester that always had everyone smiling
• Loved his country and always challenging himself to do more
• Learned Arabic and helped the people in Iraq
• Had so much passion and died being hero trying to get his buddy to safety
• He was an Italian Stallion
• Died in action January 8, 2008

SSG Carey Moore — Army // 46 Keithian Starling
• Died in action August 17, 2009
• Age 22 of Thompson Station.
• Entered military June, 2005.
• Two tours in Iraq. Alpha Company/1-502 IN 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.
• Attended Centennial High School, avid sportsman, especially loved the outdoor sports. Loving husband, father to his kids

SSG Nathan Mudd — Army // 47 Alex Maxey
• Died in action January 12, 2009
• He was born June 22, 1979 in Bardstown, KY the son of Charles Poynter and Sue Mudd.
• Mr. Mudd was a SSG with the U.S. Army and had served three tours in Iraq including Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• He had three daughters

WO1 Sean Mullen — Army // 53 Sean McMoore
• He was truly a good person. A wonderful, caring, loving husband, son, Godfather, and uncle. We spent most of our marriage apart due to deployments and trainings, but he made sure to make the most of the time we had together. Once when he was gone for a couple months of training and would not be allowed contact, he pre-wrote a bunch of letters and had a friend mail one each day so I received letters from him almost every day he was gone. Even knowing the ending, I would marry him again and go through all of this again…. he was worth it.
• He was the ultimate quiet professional – never wanted credit or recognition. He would tell you it was his job. His colleagues called him a walking encyclopedia of Army knowledge and one of his battalion commanders referred to him as Batman. He had their respect and several told me after he died that they are here today because of him.
• If selected, I would like to ask that a toast be made in his honor (Corona Light or Crown & Coke) and enjoy a cigar for him. (Assuming legal age, of course!)

PFC Anthony Nunn — Army // 19 Sam Loy
• Aged 19, of Burnet, Texas
• Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Died May 30 in Nike district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
• Survivors include his parents, Ted A. Nunn of Gainesville, Texas, and Christina Bennefield of Prosper, Texas; a brother, Matthew A. Nunn of Gainesville; and sister, Savanna R. Nunn of Prosper.

LTC Kim Orlando — Army // 91 Drew Birchmeier
• Amazing soldier, husband, & father
• Loved being in the military and had the greatest respect for those he served with
• He is stilled loved and very much missed
• Died in action October 16, 2013

LCPL Tyler Overstreet — Marines // 14 Ryan White
• From Gallatin, TN
• Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve in Nashville, TN.
• Killed in action on October 23, 2006 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq.

Captain James Page — Army // 85 Chris Pierce
• My brother and my best friend
• Served with 101st Airborne, 2 tours in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan
• Combat veteran but also the longest serving division historian
• Left behind 2 small children
• Definition of a soldier’s soldier
• An old soul, an officer and a gentleman
• Died in action January 21, 2013

SPC Phillip Pannier — Army // 59 John Learned
• 101st Airborne, 2nd Battalion, 327th NO SLACK
• Had just turned 20
• Loved football and spending time with his family
• Wanted to be in law enforcement
• Died in action January 8, 2008

Sgt. Ross Pennanen — Army // 6 Zaire Jones
• Aged 36, of Shawnee, Okla.
• Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
• Killed Nov. 2 in an attack on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, Iraq.
• Ross Pennanen’s experiences as a member of the Air Force led him to encourage his son, Ross Pennanen, to join the military as well. “He had listened to his dad talk about how much he had gained from being in the military,” Richard’s wife, Linda Pennanen, said. “Richard had always encouraged him to do that.” “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country — his life,” Richard Pennanen said. Sgt. Ross Pennanen, 36, of Shawnee, Okla., was among 16 soldiers killed in the Nov. 2 downing of a helicopter carrying troops home on leave. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. Although he joined the Army when he was 34, Pennanen “was very gung-ho” and physically fit from studying martial arts, stepbrother Brent Shreck said. “He was always spit-and-polish and had his uniform shoes shined,” Shreck said. “He was well-liked by his comrades,” said his biological mother, Erma Pennanen. Shreck said Pennanen saw enlisting in the military as a way to invest in his future. “He figured this would be a way to pay for school,” he said. “He saw it as a way to improve his life, improve himself.” Pennanen also is survived by his 7-year-old son, Gage.

SGT William “Buddy” Phillips — Army // Tom Bossung
• An ordained Baptist Minister from Murfreesboro, TN.
• Was a proud member of the “Green Berets”
• Twice nominated for the Bronze Star
• Awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action

1st LT Joshua Powell — Army // 77 Devin Cochran
• Died Tuesday, December 13, 2016 in Nashville, TN. Josh was 27 years of age. He was assigned to 2 BDE Infantry at Ft. Campbell, KY.
• Born September 11, 1989 in Henderson, Kentucky and was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Charles “Bliss” Powell.
• Josh was recruited to play football for Army at the United States Military Academy.
• Upon graduating from West Point in 2013, Josh earned his Ranger tab 6-14. Josh also had several special interests which included traveling, baseball, hunting, fishing, shooting guns, winter trips to Montana and of course UK Basketball.
• On November 12, 2016, Josh married the love of his life, Fabi Calborn Powell. Though their bonds of matrimony were cut short, Josh and Fabi loved enough for a lifetime.
• Josh was married to his great love, Fabi. He had been diagnosed with cancer just two months after they met. Josh was released from the hospital to be at their wedding in November, 2016, just one month before his death.
• Josh’s father states that Josh’s favorite number was 13 and that Josh was born on 9/11. His football jersey in High School was #13, and he was in the class of 2013. Josh died at 9:11 pm on Dec. 13.

PFC Robert Kelsey Repkie — Army // 36 Trey Ellis
• Served his country with great pride
• Was in 82nd Airborne in Farah, Afghanistan when he died
• Died doing what he loved: making his country safe for his parents, sister, and nieces.
• Member of his family has served in every war since Revolutionary War
• Died in action June 24, 2010

SSGT Jeffrey Reber — Marines // 10 Trent Sherfield
• Joined the marines when he was 18
• Served 2 deployments in Iraq, 1 in Afghanistan, and final tour in Yemen
• Was a recruiter for 4 years
• Loved Baseball
• Died August 12, 2014

SGT William Rechenmacher — Army // C.J. Ah You
• Died at the age of 24.
• Member of the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas
• Served for 7 years
• Joined the Army when he was 17 years old. He had wanted to serve his country since he was toddler. When he was about 2 or 3, he loved the movie Top Gun. We went through three Top Gun tapes because he would constantly play it over and over. He would sit there and get his dad’s motorcycle helmet and plunger and pretend he was flying the plane.

SPC Blaine E. Redding — Army // Gerry Gdowski
• Served in 101st Airborne division
• Blaine always knew he wanted to be a soldier
• His brother, Logan, was deployed with him on his 2nd deployment
• Died in action June 10, 2010 at age 22

SGT Jonathan Richardson — Army // 61 Bruno Reagan
• He was an intelligent, kind man with and a smile that would light up the room.
• Passionate about making a difference in the world
• Died March 9, 2010

SGT Antonio Rivera — Army // 45 Cody Markel
• Was a very loving and kind man
• Could bring a smile to anyone’s face when he walked in the room
• Died March 13, 2014

SSG Kevin “Casey” Roberts — Army // 13 Jackson Winrow
• Our hero
• Served 3 tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Wonderful father, husband and dedicated soldier
• Died in action May 7, 2008

Captain Benjamin Ronk — Army // 40 Jordan Griffin
• Served his country for 25 years
• Survived by his mother and many brothers and sisters
• Loved fighting for his country
• Died in action December 26, 2015

SSG Shawn Ross — Army // 45 Scott Sypniewski
• Beloved father, son, and brother
• Proud and loved serving his country and protecting his family
• Served with 807th Engineer group
• Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
• His death has left a heartache that no one can heal, but his life has left us memories that no one can steal
• Died in action June 25, 2008

SGT Roger Rowe — Army // 22 Josh Crawford
• Age 54, of Bon Aqua, Tenn.
• Assigned to the 1174th Troop Command, in Columbia, Tenn.
• Died in action July 9, 2003 during an ambush of a convoy in which he was driving a fuel tanker truck. Killed in an enemy sniper attack in Iraq.
• Rowe, who served two years in Vietnam and volunteered for the Gulf War but wasn’t called up, was a member of Detachment 1, 771st Maintenance Company in Hohenwald. However, he was serving in Iraq with the 1174th Transportation Company from Dresden and Newbern because of his experience driving a truck.
• Rowe had served in an Army medical unit during Vietnam and spent 17 years in the National Guard.

SGT Patrick Rudd– Army // 31 Tre Herndon
• Was deployed 8 separate times in Iraq
• Dedicated and extremely loyal
• KIA was taking out the #2 leader of an Iraqi insurgent group
• October 5, 2008

SPC Joshua Seals — Army // 55 David Floyd
• A son, brother, and now an Uncle
• Loved his country, his Ford Ranger, his 65 Ford pickup, Mt. Dew and Juicy Fruit
• Loved to draw
• He did things legally and illegal with his best buddies, that’s what country boys are made of!
• He has an American Legion Post named after him in Oktaha, OK. Post 403
• Was once our little boy but now our guardian angel
• Died in action August 16, 2011

A1C Cody Scallorn — Air Force // 77 Nifae Lealao
• Loved children, his family, and his country
• Graduated high school a year early to enlist in the Air Force
• Died on January 2, 2012 at age 18 while on active duty

SGT Jacob Michael Schwallie — Army // Warren Belin
• Killed in action on May 7, 2012 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
• Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
• Jake was a 2007 graduate of Rossview High School, Clarksville, TN. He served in the U.S. Army since October 2008, including one tour in Iraq and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC.

SGT Dillon Semolina — Marines // 32 Jamauri Wakefield
• Age 24, from Delano MN
• SGT Dillon Semolina died on Thursday 1/14/2016 serving his country during a training accident
• A scholarship fund has been created in Dillon’s Honor.

SSG David Senft — Army // 30 Bryce Lewis
• He knew at 6 years old what he wanted to be. Joined when he turned 18.
• Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY
• Was on 4th deployment when we lost him in Afghanistan
• Died in action November 15, 2010

SSG Eric Shaw — Army // 5 Ke’Shawn Vaughn
• Eric was killed during his 3rd tour of duty, 16 days after he deployed to Afghanistan
• He died during Operation Strong Eagle 1 which at the time was the largest mission the 101st Airborne had been part of since the Vietnam War
• He saved the lives of 12 ANA Soldiers and allowed the mission to move forward to it’s objective on entering the Gahaki Valley
• For his actions that day he earned our nation’s second highest medal, the Distinguished Service Cross
• He also received the Bronze Star with Valor
• He is survived by his wife, Audrey and three daughter’s Madison, Victoria and Julia Shaw
• Died in action June 27, 2010

PFC Anthony Simmons — Army // 63 Grant Miller
• From Tallahassee, FL
• Sacrificed his life in defense of his country in Afghanistan on July 8, 2010
• His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten

CPL Derek Simonetta — Army // 12 Tae Daley
• He was a fighter and never gave up
• Born and raised in California
• We were high school sweethearts
• He died a hero at age 21
• Died in action December 12, 2010

SPC Michael Stansbery — Army // 21 Donovan Sheffield
• He knew this was God’s calling to be a soldier
• Lived life to the fullest
• He was our only son
• Bridge on HWY 79/Hwy 109 named for him
• Buried in Arlington National Cemetery
• Died in action July 30, 2010

Lt. Col. Kenneth Stonebraker — Air Force // 83 Nathan Marcus
• Still MIA from Vietnam since October 28, 1968
• Was on a night recon mission flying a rf-4c
• This October marks 49 years MIA

SSG Williams Ronald Taylor — Army // Chris Marve
• He was the epitome of what it meant to be a soldier in the U.S. armed forces
• Died in action January 7, 2015
• Beloved by his fellow soldiers and family

CPL Eric A. Thompson — Marines // 7 Ralph Webb
• An infantryman hero who served over 8 years
• Proud father of daughter, Jasmin
• Died in action February 18, 2012

SFC Cheryl Maxine Thomas-Goodman — Army // 10 Dayo Odeyingbo
• Served her country
• Was a good mother, wife, and friend
• Died in action September 1, 2015

PFC Chad Trimble — Army // 15 Elijah Hamilton
• He was my high school sweetheart
• An awesome daddy to our 2 beautiful girls
• Served his country proudly and loved the Army
• Died in action May 28, 2008

PFC Clinton Upchurch — Army // 52 Brayden DeVault-Smith
• Enlisted after 9/11 to make a difference
• Was already a sheriff’s deputy attached to the DEA and gave it up to serve his country
• Died in action January 1, 2006

SSG Justin Wadley — Army // 28 Dallas Rivers
• A super goofy and clumsy guy
• Loved the simple things in life
• He loved to go shopping for the holidays with his family
• Died September 29. 2016

SSG Franklin Wadsworth — Army // Jason Grooms
• Dedicated 9.5 years of honorable service to our Nation
• Contributed to conflict for Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn
• His sacrifices in service of moments, milestones, and memories will never be forgotten
• Died May 26, 2012

A1C David Walker — Air Force // 9 Caleb Peart
• Always wanted to be a GI Joe
• Loved riding motorcycles and getting muddy in his Jeep
• Joined JROTC in HS
• Followed his older brother and joined the Air Force right out of HS
• Had a heart of gold
• Died in action July 31, 2012

CW5 Jamie Weeks — Army // Jordan Hunt
• Left behind a son
• He is son’s hero and all of those who knew him are very proud of him.
• Died in action May 14, 2006

SSG Sonny Zimmerman — Army // 3 Shawn Stankavage
• Was injured on June 3rd by a suicide bomber, but returned to 2 days later
• Loved by his wife and step daughter
• Died in action July 15, 2013