Tuesday, June 05, 2012

20 Heroes Fighting in the Afghanistan War Who Died May 20 to June 2, 2012

May 20 - The Department of Defense announced the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan J. Wilson, 26, of Shasta, Calif., died of complications associated with a medical condition in Manama, Bahrain.

May 21 - Spc. Arronn D. Fields, 27, of Terre Haute, Ind., died in Qal-ah-ye Mirza Jal, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with rocket propelled grenades.

May 23 - 2nd Lt. Travis A. Morgado, 25, of San Jose, Calif., died in Zharay, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his patrol with an improvised explosive device.

May 24 - Pfc. Cale C. Miller, 23, of Overland Park, Kan, died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

- Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey, 22, of Boring, Ore., died May 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Oregonian reports:
"He was born on Aug. 21, 1989 in Portland and was the son of Grant and Inger Coffey. He grew up in Boring and graduated from Damascus Christian School in 2007. Keaton completed a year of college at George Fox University and enlisted in the USMC in August of 2008. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and was assigned to the 1st LEB (REIN), I MHG (FWD), I MEF (FWD) Military Police where he was a working dog handler. On Nov. 19, 2011, Keaton proposed to his best friend and soul mate, Brittany Dygert. They were planning to be married on July 14, 2012. Keaton enjoyed animals, fitness and surfing and his world revolved around his true love, Brittany. Keaton also had a heart for service and aspired to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a firefighter. Keaton is survived by his parents, Grant and Inger Coffey; his fiancee, Brittany Dygert; and his dog, Denny; along with many close family members and friends. A Celebration of Keaton's life [was] held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Community Church."
May 25 - Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza, 28, of El Paso, Texas, died in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.

May 26 - Hospitalman Eric D. Warren, of Shawnee, Okla., died of wounds received in action due to an improvised explosive device blast in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
- Spc. Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, 21, of Salinas, Calif., died in Zharay, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
- Lance Cpl. Steven G. Sutton, 24, of Leesburg, Ga., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

May 27 - They died in Chak-E Wardak District, Afghanistan, when their unit was attacked by enemy forces. Killed were:
- Spc. Kedith L. Jacobs, 21, of Denver, Colo, and
- Pfc. Leroy Deronde III, 22, Jersey City, New Jersey.

- Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, of Wilmington, Calif., died in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

May 28 - They died in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when their helicopter crashed. Killed were:
- Capt. John R. Brainard, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; and
- Chief Warrant Officer Five John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Va.

- Sgt. Julian C. Chase, 22, of Edgewater, Md., died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

May 30 - Cpl. Nicholas H. Olivas, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio, died in Zharay, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
- Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean E. Brazas, of Greensboro, N.C., died while conducting combat operations in Panjwa’l, Afghanistan.
- Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Witsman, 23, of Covington, Ind., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. This incident is under investigation.

May 31 - Staff Sgt. Alexander G. Povilaitis, 47, of Dawsonville, Ga., died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when the enemy attacked with an improvised explosive device.

June 2 - Spc. Gerardo Campos, 23, of Miami, Fla., died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.

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