I have lost 3 buddies in Iraq

Lcpl Chad R. Hildebrante. Killed In Action, Oct 17 2005 Ar Rutba, Iraq
Lcpl Daniel Scott (Bubbles) Bubb. Killed In Action Oct 17 2005 Ar Rutba, Iraq
Lcpl Jeremy P. (T-Bo) Tambrillo. Killed In Action 8 Nov 2005 Ar Rutba, Iraq

All of us were with 1st Light Armored Reconnisance Bn. 1st MarDiv Camp Pendleton Regimental Combat Team 2

Bubb and Hildebrante were on patrol with their fireteam when they were ambushed by several insurgents with a RPK machinegun. I was told Hildebrante were hit first in his head and torso and died where he fell whereas Bubb was hit in his neck and torso, lived long enough to be pulled to the medivac LAV where he died of his wounds. T-Bo was killed by an IED. He was medivac-ed to the aid station at Camp K.V. where he was stablised. Now I cant remember if he passed on his way to Al Asad AFB or if he passed while on his way to Germany. May God rest their souls and grant them eternal peace. Bubb and Hildebrante were two of my best friends in Alpha Co. they were in their mid 20s and their second tours. T-Bo was a loved young Marine in Weapons company who barely finished his first year in and didnt have a chance to experience a Marine Corps Birthday, he was on his first deployment.

i was cleaning out my old emails and found this, he was a close friend of mine in highschool and church, i havent posted in here for him...so ill put this up

June 17, 2005                            

Local Marine Dies In Iraq
Wayne Thomas
 
Marine Nathan Bradley Clemons
"He Was Doing The Job He Loved." - David Clemons, Marine's Father

Winchester parents, David and Linda Clemons of Murray Lake Subdivision, now understand the supreme sacrifice that can be made for our country’s freedom.

Their son Nathan Bradley Clemons died from injuries sustained this week in Iraq.

"He was in reconnaissance and he was out in front of his squad, because that was his job," the soldier’s father explained. "He was doing the job he loved."

According to information from the Department of Defense, the young Marine was killed near Ar Rutbah when "an Iraqi insurgent" stepped out in front of the platoon and detonated an explosive device. "He had told me that he had been well trained in how to handle himself in firefights, but that the roadside bombers were what bothered him because there was no way to train for that," the senior Clemons said.

The father explained that his son had wanted to be a solider since he was six years old, and after he graduated from high school in Jacksonville, Fl., he was heavily recruited by the various branches of the military. "Then one day he came in and told me he wanted to join the Marines," the proud father explained Thursday morning.

Clemons said that his son told him while in middle school that he was going to be in the band. "I told him he had never taken music, but I found out the next morning that he was in the drum corps. Out of those in the drum corps, seven of them went into the Marine Corps, including his best friend who joined with him," Clemons said.

David Clemons, who has worked at Arnold Engineering Development Center for a couple of years, said that his wife called him Tuesday morning and told him to come home. "I knew something was wrong." Mr. Clemons said that when he went to turn into his driveway he saw a young Marine waiting for him. "He opened the car door for me and then walked with me into the house."

Clemons conveyed that when his son graduated from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, SC his drill instructor said, "I wish I had more like your son."

"He told me that he had been asked to join reconnaissance, which is the Marines specialized unit," the father stated. "I told him that when the time comes you’ll step up and do what needs to be done."

When asked about the United States involvement in Iraq, the father stated with pride in his voice that he felt his son and the other young men who have died there are "heroes." He also said that he feels the "U.S. has to be the world’s police because we can’t let those people terrorize the world."

"They are there for all of us to be able to get up and to go church," the father said. "I hate that he had to give his life for someone who doesn’t appreciate it at this time, but hopefully later in life they will," the father said.

The father said that on the morning that his son was killed, he called home at 2 a.m. to talk with his parents. "He normally wouldn’t call that late, he usually called earlier," the father explained. "He also called his girlfriend and his grandmother. He just wanted to tell us that he loved us." The father said he didn’t know if his son had a premonition of what was to come, but they were surely glad to get to talk to him.

The father of the fallen soldier said he is offended when the media shows, as a Nashville paper did this week, military personnel laying around a swimming pool putting sun tan lotion on one another. "My son had not had a bath in 30 days nor a hot meal in 30 days," he explained. "And he had not had sleep for four days."

Mr. Clemons said that he felt the Marine Boot Camp made "a dramatic change" in his son’s life. He said that his personal feeling is that all young men should have to attend the 13 weeks of boot camp.

When asked what keeps him going in light of what has happened to his family, David Clemons stated that his faith keeps him and his wife going. "God had a mission for him," the father explained.

The body of the young Marine was flown from Dover Air Force Base to Huntsville, AL, and from there was escorted to Moore-Cortner Funeral Home.

Members of the Marine Corps will stand guard over his body during tonight’s visitation between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. The Marine guards will then transport the body to Chattsworth, GA where he will be buried near his grandfather and uncle’s gravesites.

Franklin County Mayor Monty Adams had the flags at the courthouse lowered to half-mast on Wednesday in honor of the young Franklin Countian.

"I have the highest respect for these young people who are there defending our country and our rights. I think it is only fitting that we lower the flags to show our respect," Adams stated.

The flags will be raised at sunset Friday night.

Short list of guys we lost in Afghanistan and Iraq:

2-22 INF, 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division:

Afghanistan:
SGT Michael Esposito
SSG Anthony Lagman

Sergeants Lagman and Esposito were killed by small arms fire while clearing a village on March 18, 2004 in Dehrawood, Afghanistan.

Iraq:
SSG Dwayne Lewis - Killed by small arms fire while on patrol in Abu Ghurayb, Iraq on February 27, 2006.
PFC Nicholas Cournoyer
1LT Robert Seidel
SGT Lonnie Allen

Cournoyer, Seidel, and Allen were all killed May 18, 2006, when an IED detonated underneath their HMMWV while on patrol in Abu Ghurayb, Iraq.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9452/222in.gif
"Deeds Not Words"

HHC. 2-22 1997-2004, I was there for Lagman and Esposito, went to PLDC with Big Lew.. Small World..  LEAD WITH COURAGE... REGULARS BY GOD

Headed to a funeral today.

Member of my first PMT, made it through tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, only to die after falling from a ladder while fixing up his elderly moms house this week.
RIP CPT Rich O' Brien, NYARNG and NYSP.

http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/December09/08/O%27Brien_fatal-08Dec09.htm

United States Marine Lance Corporal Tenzin Choeku Dengkhim
A friend of mine who was killed due to enemy action in Haditha, Iraq

United States Marine Lance Corporal Travis Desiato
Served bravely in Fallujah during Phantom Fury before falling to enemy fire.  I would like to thank the five Corporals who recovered Travis to us.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Z. Long.
The day you died was one of the hardest I've ever had to live through.  You didn't deserve to die in that dusty grove my friend.  Carrying you back to the HV was the heaviest burden I've ever felt.  You are a hero Jeremy.  I think of you every day.

Marine Corporal Kevin Clark
I didn't make it in time to know you as well as I would have liked.  I think of you whenever I see a motorcycle my friend. Ill attend your Motorcycle Run next year!

Army 1st Lt. Leif E. Nott

24, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; attached to A Troop, 1st Battalion, 10th Cavalry, Fort Hood, Texas; died of wounds received from hostile fire on July 30 in Belaruz, Iraq.
the official story still after all these years says kia but truth be told fratracide was the true cause of death. a cover up adds nothing but insult to injury... we who were there will never forget


Died:
July 30, 2003  
 

On 3 Dec 09 my nephew Richard Mozley died from Leukemia, 3 weeks after being diagnosed. His death was sudden and unexpected but like all Marines he never gave up. He fought to the very end and his buddies were there for him the entire time. He was 23 yoa and stationed in San Diego. He was a veteran of one tour in Iraq.
I was very proud of him and loved him dearly as did the rest of our family. We will all miss him very much. On the up side his buddies have been made members of our extended family. They were there for us throughout the illness and the funeral and made sure that Richard was laid to rest in honor. This old Air Force vet wishes to thank the Marines that supported my family during this dark time.

Semper Fi my friends.

RIP  I didn't know PFC Jarrett, but thank you for your service.  My condolances to your family.  

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Defense says a North Platte man died while serving in Iraq.

Department officials confirmed Tuesday that Pfc. Michael Jarrett died Jan. 6 as a result of injuries sustained during a noncombat related incident in Balad. Jarrett was 20.

The incident remains under investigation.

Jarrett was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, which is based in Illesheim, Germany.

My cousin who gave me BRD, He's the 16th thread down, in the EOD suit, from the other brave ones that have fallen:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=11&t=190445&page=14

MAJ Michael Lee Green
KIA 7 JAN 08 Afghanistan
Mike was my very first boss in the Army.  He was a sonofabitch to work for, but one hell of a teacher.  I miss the hell out of you, Michael.

Petty Officer 1st Class Regina Clark.
KIA-6/23/05
Gone, but not forgotten. May you RIP.
She was sent forward with the II Marine Expeditionary Force as there was a need for female personnel to search Muslim women.

From the link:
"A suicide car bomber and gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying female Marines on Thursday, killing two Marines and leaving another four American military personnel presumed dead, the military said Friday. At least two women were killed, including Clark, and 11 of 13 wounded were female."

It was reported in the news at the time that she was the first female member of the Navy KIA in the WOT.
She left behind her teen aged son.

http://www.militarytimes.com/valor/navy-culinary-specialist-1st-class-regina-r-clark/943336

3/25 Memorial

To the 48 Marines of 3rd Bn 25th Marines who gave their lives in Al Anbar, Iraq, OIF III, 2005

Some of these Marines I did not know, Some were my close friends, They were all my Brothers.

Rest in Peace, Marines.  You are not forgotten.

SGT Derek Banks
237th EN CO (SAPPER)

DOW received in the same incident as SGT Lambert.  He fought hard and made it home to see his family before succumbing to his injuries.  Left behind a wife and young son.

Lambert was my battle buddy at the mob site, and Banks was the other .50 gunner in the platoon.  Both were outstanding soldiers and motivation to other troops.  They were transferred to another platoon at the end of mob because that platoon had open E5 slots and they were the two most senior, squared away E4s in my platoon.

DC2 Nathan Bruckenthal, USCG.  
A good friend of mine and former shipmate died while checking out a couple of dingy's near a GOPlat.

RIP Nate, I'll always miss you brother.

My twin Spc. Adam James Harting.

KIA 7/25/05 in Samara, Iraq

Love you and miss you everyday

SFC James R. Stright died 22 October 2009.

We miss you brother!!

Vaya con Dios,  

NSDQ!

SrA Bradley Smith was KIA 3JAN2010 in Afghanistan due to an IED.
He was a great guy and will be missed.
He was a TACP with the 10th ASOS.

Army Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth
Died September 09, 2007 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

26, of Yonkers, N.Y.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Sept. 9 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and grenades.

He was one of my best friends and ex-squadmate.  R.I.P. Courtney, you will not be forgotten.




This thread makes me sad.

ETA: A bit late I know.  I am new to the site.

RIP

Corporal Michael D. Jankiewicz
April 9, 2010 Zabul, Afghanistan.

Went to basic with him.  Really funny guy.  Damn shame.

SGT Jeffrey A. Reed 411th MP CO 720th MP BN 89th MP BDE KIA 02 March 2009 on MSR Tampa, north of Camp Taji, across from the Nassir Factory.



I never met SGT Reed. The extent of our meeting was as his squad leader and my Soldiers loaded him into my Stryker and CASEVACing him back to the level 2 at Camp Taji. A RKG-3 grenade had hit his M1151 HMMWV and he took a lot of shrapnel to the head. It was just too much. I wish that we could have done more for you but it was out of our hands.

SGT Reed's brother Chris was my NBC NCO.  We moved him up to battalion for our deployment to Afghanistan.  I was one of the people that spent part of the night talking to SGT Chris Reed before he caught a bird out of Salerno.

Small world. If you are in contact with him, please give him my condolences.



 

WILCO, or at least I'll try.  As soon as he got back to the states, we were able to get him a hardship discharge.  Less than a month into our tour when he got the news.  After all the work Chris had done to recover from multiple knee surgeries for the deployment, this was not the way anyone wanted to find out he had a brother in Iraq.

Forgot to post this here after I first posted about it on Arfcom












 

"Oh! we, who have known shame, we have found release there,
Where there's no ill, no grief, but sleep has mending,
Naught broken save this body, lost but breath;  
Nothing to shake the laughing heart's long peace there  
But only agony, and that has ending;  
And the worst friend and enemy is but Death."

RIP SGT Robert W. Crow, Jr.  10 July 2010

Our last conversation was much too short, buddy.
Look down and watch over your comerades for just a little while more; they shall never forget you.

R.I.P. Captain Jennifer L. Travino... killed not in combat, but by an ex boyfriend who just couldn't seem to let go. She is survived by her two loving kids and exhusband. She worked for an Oklahoma state agency and the Air Force Reserve, she will be sorely missed by her friends, family and atleast one Marine, I only met her once but my wife worked with her. Jennifer was killed by a psyco exboyfriend Thursday evening after she secured from work. He created a standoff with Norman PD and ended up killing himself after a few hours. Norman PD pulled her body from her car in the parking lot of the motel where the standoff took place. Her friends and family have learned she did go out fighting. God Bless her and her family. R.I.P.

I figured more triple duece guys would be on this board.
DCO 2-22IN KIRKUK,IRAQ
PVT Nathan Thacker KIA 12 OCT 2007
PFC Jack Sweet KIA 8 FEB 08

From A co. 1/121 IN

1SG John Blair - 20 June 2009. Killed by an RPG during an ambush in Khost Province. The best 1SG we ever had.
SSG Alex French - 30 Sept 2009. Killed by a VBIED outside of Camp Clark, in Khost Province. One of the best guys I had the privilege of serving with.

See you in the high ground...

Just sharing this in case anyone here knew the man.

Two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. It's a damned shame.
Godspeed, soldier.

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/8126538/

Fort Bragg, N.C. — A man killed as a result of a head-on collision in Lee County was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, his commanding officer said Thursday.

Command Sgt. Major Wayne Fausz, 40, was driving with his wife, Natasha Fausz, 34, and two children, Nathaniel Fausz, 15, and Autumn Fausz, 9, on N.C. Highway 87 at Winstead Road on Saturday night when a driver in an SUV crossed the center line and struck his pickup.

Wayne Fausz died of his injuries at UNC Hospitals Tuesday, according to Fort Bragg. The driver of the SUV, Sebastian Talley, 18, of Cameron, died at the scene.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Wayne Fausz was an outstanding Noncommissioned Officer who always led by example and epitomized the Army values," said Lt. Commander John M. Cyrulik in a statement.

"He was a warrior and consummate team player well respected by the troopers, fellow NCOs and officers fortunate to serve with him during his exemplary service in the Wolfpack Battalion. He will be greatly missed by the troopers and families of 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade."

Wayne Fausz deployed to Iraq twice and most recently to Afghanistan, returning in April 2010.

He was my CSM in Afghanistan last year and we had plains going hunting in less then two weeks. He was one of best CSM I have been with...

R.I.P Good Freind!



than

To my friend Chris Wright killed in action this passed Sunday in Afghanistan, i'm told by family that he was shot in the chest and died in surgury. He was enlisted Infantry i do not know which unit, i'm ashamed that the last time I got in touch with him was two years ago while we were both in college.

The non-local media is saying he was killed by shrapnel in Iraq all they care about is making a rating.

ETA- pic, hes the one holding the stars.

1-75 Ranger Regiment, Kunar Province.  RIP Ranger.

We lost 9 this week. 5 soldiers from my unit and 4 Spec-Ops.

R.I.P.

Maj. Robert Francis Baldwin
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gabriel Wagstaff
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah David McClellan
Staff Sgt. Joshua David Powell
Sgt. Marvin Ray Calhoun Jr

Lt. Brendan J. Looney
Senior Chief Petty Officer David B. McLendon
Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam O. Smith
Petty Officer 3rd Class Denis C. Miranda

SSGT Josef LaFayette Dukes, Jr, Canon, GA died Saturday, September 11, 2010.  SSGT Dukes was born in Augusta, GA, December 03, 1974. He was a United States Marine and was of the Baptist faith.

Went to school with him but I can't remember who he was other than is name. RIP Marine.

Staff Sergeant Kurt R. Curtiss. My squad leader. KIA, Paktika province, Afghanistan, august 26th, 2009. 1-501 INF ABN. Killed by small arms fire while we searched for an HVT inside of a hospital.

My Squad leader, SSG Jeffery Hall. SPC Matthew Ogden, SPC Matthew Wilson, and Sgt Jasper Obakur. All killed June 01 2009 in Wardak Province. The first three in my humvee and Sgt Obakur hit on their way out to help us. All members of Bco 2-87, 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain. Comrades in life, brothers passed life.

Last year, on 12 Sep 2009, SSgt Bryan Berky, USAF EOD Tech from the 28 Civil Engineer Squadron, laid his life down providing overwatch on a convoy in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.  A bitter irony in the story is that a B-1 bomber dispatched as a show of force overflight was also from Ellsworth AFB.

http://thunderriverhome.blogspot.com/2009/09/rest-in-peace-ssgt-bryan-berky.html#links

A lot folks think that AF folks don't go outside the wire and hang out 'in the rear, with the gear', but that is increasingly not the case.  Especially when it comes to our EOD brothers.  Civil Engineers, V-Ops, and other normally 'REMFs' are also finding themselves out on the line with our USMC and USA brothers and sisters doing engineer work, convoy support, PRCT, and other missions.

Just a couple of weeks ago, on 21 Sep, we lost another EOD tech from Nellis AFB in AG.  SrA Michael J. Burris was KIA near Kandahar.

God speed, brothers.  Valhalla awaits.

In memory of Commander Aaron Kottas, U.S. Navy - Found deceased at work. My beloved Cousin I will miss you. RIP.

Small world. He was my 1SG's Drill sergeant. He died a hero for sure. We dedicate 1SG Rafferty field every year by our 1SG telling his story of him.

RIP SGT Mario Rodriguez

KIA June 11, 2010 Puli-Alam district, Afghanistan.  Our convoy came under attack and he was mortally wounded by an RPG. If not for the hours of training he gave his men, he wouldn't have been the only one that night. We miss you man.

I served with CSM Fausz from '89 to '92 during the formation of 2/1 Avn Regt, 1st Armored Div.  He was a good guy and had a hell of a good sense of humor.  We went to Beaumont Texas to shrink wrap helos to send them to Germany.  After working for a week of very long days, Ltc Ward was buying drinks at the hotel bar for all of us.  I can remember "Fozzy" telling the waitress to bring us a beer every 5 minutes until we were dead.  Line dancing is difficult when you're drunk and have no clue how to line dance.  We had a good time on that trip.  

I am proud to have served with him and I will miss him.

RIP my friend.

Bad Pic, but the only one I have of him.

CPL Benjamin C. Dillion,  KIA 06 OCT 07, B Co 3/75
Nephew, killed in Iraq while I was in Afghanistan..

This is from his Fallen Heroes site:

Army Staff Sgt. Roland L. Castro,

26, of San Antonio, Texas.
Castro died of a non-hostile gunshot wound in Camp Cedar II, Iraq. He was assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Died on January 16, 2004.

Please send information, photos, and corrections for Army Staff Sgt. Roland L. Castro,.

He was my driver stateside, a great trooper.

My friend and brother in arms.

Till we form again Buz.

"For he who sheds his blood with me today shall be my brother." Holy Soldiers Of Christ.

Even if we did not fight with one another we are all Brothers as we shed our blood for the safety of our homeland!

I hate to see 8 pages of this but I'm glad to see the fighters heroes being remembered! I have been called a hero many time and I don't think of myself this way. I'm the luck SOB who made it back alive! The true people who should be held up high are the ones who did not make it back because they gave all!!! I only gave some.

Staff Sergeant Curtiss


PFC Martinek


2nd Lt Andrews

Remembering all, especially Airman First Class Elizabeth Jacobson, KIA by an IED on September 28, 2005, in Safwan Iraq.  She was 21 and hailed from Riviera Beach Florida.  She was the first Security Forces Airman to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first USAF SF woman lost as a result of combat action.

Proud Warrior

Remembering 4 soldiers, friends, brothers, sister, son, and daughter.   This past weekend and week have been very difficult for me.  It has been very bitter/sweet.  Start by say on june 3 I turned 29, June 4th I found out that 4 of my battle buddys from my old company who I left 3 days before they deployed, were killed by an IED.  I will greatly miss all four of them, for they like many others have paid for freedom with their life.  I am very sad to say that the united states will not get the chance to met these 4 in person, for they were 4 people worth knowing.  I hope to be able to tell their story to as many people as I can.  

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson officials have identified the four soldiers assigned to the base who were killed in Afghanistan’s Laghman Province by an improvised explosive device last weekend.
Sgt. Joshua David Powell of Quitman,Texas, 28; Cpl. Christopher Roger Bell of Goldman, Miss., 21; Spc. Devin Arielle Snyder of Cohocton, N.Y., 20; and Pfc. Robert Lee Voakes Jr. of L'anse, Mich., 21, died during a mounted patrol Saturday.  Powell's family spoke with the local paper in Quitman, calling him "the life of the party."  Alyssa Englert, a friend of Snyder's, said everyone called Snyder "Twiggy," because of her skinny arms –– but she was a real fighter.  "It's sad the way she's gone," Englert said as she cried, "but she did it in the right manner and she's my hero for that."  The four were assigned to the 164th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. The 164th deployed to Afghanistan in late March for a one-year tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-jber-identifies-4-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-060711,0,5897122.story

Spc Joseph A. Kennedy

D-Co 2-2 IN

KIA 15 April 2011, Ghazni Province Afghanistan.

I will forever remember you, brother.

Mark Goyet, you were truly a great friend and will be sorely missed.