15 Heroes Who Died September 24 to October 1, 2011, Fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq

September 24 - Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

September 25 - Spc. Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez Jr., 27, of Oklahoma City, Okla., died in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

- 1st. Lt. Andres Zermeno, 26, of San Antonio, Texas, died in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade.

September 26 - Spc. Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, Calif., died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

September 28 - 1st Lt. Ryan K. Iannelli, 27, of Clarksboro, N.J., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

- Lance Cpl. John R. Wimpey Cagle, 19, of Tucker, Ga., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

- Died in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device:

- 1st Lt. Ivan D. Lechowich, 27, of Valrico, Fla.,
- Spc. Steven E. Gutowski, 24, of Plymouth, Mass., and
- Pfc. David A. Drake, 21, of Lumberton, Texas

- Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Sprovtsoff, 28, of Davison, Mich., and
- Sgt. Christopher Diaz, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

- Spc. James A. Butz, 21, of Porter, Ind., died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

- First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Velda Village, Mo., died in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.

September 29 - Spc. Adrian G. Mills, 23, of Newnan, Ga., died in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire.

October 1 - Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb.,died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan.