9 Heroes Who Died September 9 to September 18, 2011, Fighting in Afghanistan

September 9 - Pfc. Brett E. Wood, 19, of Spencer, Ind., died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

September 10 - Staff Sgt. Keith F. Rudd, 36, of Winder, Ga., died in Parvan, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations.

Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams

September 13 - Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams, 35, of Portland, Ore., died in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fires. Oregonian obituary:

"Danial R. Adams joined the Army as an infantry man in 1995, when America wasn't at war. He took difficult assignments and passed demanding classes, becoming a Ranger and, in 2005, earning his Green Beret. In 2009, he joined the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, based in Stuttgart, Germany.

"He had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was leading a team of special forces soldiers on a mission in Wardak province in central eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday when they encountered insurgents and engaged in "a very intense firefight," according to a spokesman for the 10th Special Forces Group. Adams was the only U.S. casualty of that engagement, the spokesman said.

"Adams, who was a promotable Sergeant First Class, was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant.

"His wife, Melany, and sons, Jeffrey and John, and daughter, Skye, have returned to the United States from Germany to make funeral arrangements. His parents, James and Penny Adams, live in Hillsboro.

"Adams had won a series of commendations reflecting his service in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. Among other honors, he was awarded the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was 35."

September 14 - Sgt. Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr., 26, of Pharr, Texas, died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

September 15 - Sgt. Mycal L. Prince, 28, of Minco, Okla., died in Laghman province, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

- Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher, 22, of Asheville, N.C., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

September 17 - Staff Sgt. Michael W. Hosey, 27, of Birmingham, Ala., died in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

- Sgt. Garrick L. Eppinger Jr., 25, of Appleton, Wis., died in Parwan province, Afghanistan.

September 18 - Spc. Chazray C. Clark, 24, of Ecorse, Mich., died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.