SPC Alexis Vicente Maldonado, 20, of Wichita Falls, died Saturday, August 21, 2010 while serving his country in Afghanistan and is expected to return to the North Texas region later this week. Once arrangements have been announced we will update this article.

On August 21, 2010 SPC Maldonado’s life was tragically ended while on a route clearance patrol on highway one, in Southern Afghanistan. While moving east along highway one an enemy ambush struck the rear vehicle where SPC Maldonado was a gunner.

SPC Alexis Maldonado was born on July 16, 1990 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Jesse and Alicia Maldonado. After graduating high school SPC Maldonado became the proud father of a baby boy named Isaiah on August 6, 2008.

While continuing to be a dedicated father SPC Maldonado enlisted in the United States Army on October 3, 2009. SPC Maldonado went to the 35th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he completed OSUT training for basic training and AIT. At the completion of his training he was awarded the MOS of 21B, Combat Engineer, and assigned to Fort Hood, Texas where he would eventually be assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 510th Clearance Company, and finally 3rd platoon. While assigned to 3rd Platoon SPC Maldonado went on to complete many individual, squad, and platoon level trainings to include Combat Lifesaver Class and the R2C2 operator classes. In September of 2009 SPC Maldonado deployed with the rest of the 20th Engineer Battalion to the National Training Center in California to complete the unit’s readiness training, prior to block leave and the Battalion’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. SPC Maldonado and his platoon always performed above the standard receiving many accommodations from the officials at the training center.

Upon returning to Fort Hood SPC Maldonado had yet another hurdle to overcome before his company’s deployment. The entire 510th Clearance Company was hit with tragedy when their friends, peers, and battle buddies were wounded on November 5th at Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Site.

On January 23, 2010 SPC Maldonado deployed with the 20th Engineer Battalion, 510th Clearance Company, 3rd Platoon. After spending two months at Kandahar Airfield completing training and helping to build his platoon vehicle force, the 510th moved to Forward Operating Base Ramrod. While stationed at FOB Ramrod SPC Maldonado completed over 100 route clearance missions with his platoon. SPC Maldonado would serve as a primary .50 cal machine gunner and a RG31-MK2 driver; continually displaying the Army Values in everything he did.

SPC Maldonado had aspirations of eventually ETS’ing from the Army and using the skills and experience he gained to further his education at UTI in Dallas, Texas, in order to study to become a Mechanic. SPC Maldonado could always be found in his down time either in his room, head nodding back and forth to his music, or in the gym grinding away with any weight he could get his hands on.

Whether it was trying to build his fitness in the gym or his ability to bring out not only the best in himself, but those around him, SPC Maldonado was an exemplary Soldier and a person in everything he did. He was a loving and dedicated father, who enjoyed spending all his time with his son. He will never be forgotten and greatly missed by all that knew him.

SPC Maldonado’s awards and decorations include the following: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; Good Conduct Metal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Alexis enjoyed listening to music, wrestling and playing video games.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, David and Maria Maldonado.

Survivors include his parents, Jesse Maldonado and wife, Linda of Wichita Falls and Alicia Maldonado and husband, Keith Hastings of Wichita Falls; grandparents, Robert “Bob” and Irene Butterfield of Wichita Falls; Frank and Rosie Rodriguez of Wichita Falls; Ruben and Ruth Castillo of Princeton, Illinois; David Hernandez Everette; great-grandmother, Jesusa Garcia Aguirre; fiancé, Baronica Chapa; son, Isaiah Malachi Maldonado; brother, Brad Newlin and wife, Tia of Wichita Falls; brother, Sergio Maldonado and wife, Mykeli; sister, Aleksi Marie Maldonado of Wichita Falls; uncles, Robert Butterfield and wife, Hope, David Everette, Jr. and wife, Rita and Roy Castillo, all of Wichita Falls; aunts, Michelle Castaneda and Cristina Rodriguez, both of Wichita Falls; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

“All gave some, some gave all”

Resource: Owens & Brumley Funeral Home & Cremation Center · Wichita Falls, TX 940-322-3181

Now, that I’m back after a few weeks of rest and relaxation, let me begin with a story of someone Doing the Right Thing.

LCpl. Dustin Tunnell, recently attended the funeral of one of his uncles.  After the ceremonies an elderly man walked up to LCpl. Dustin Tunnell to thank him for his service to our country and admire his uniform.  The elderly man, as it turns out is LCrpl Dustin Tunnell’s great-uncle, began to recall how the uniform was a contributing factor in his decision to join the USMC, but at the time not all Marines were issued a dress uniform since, they were immediately shipped out to war as soon as they completed basic training.

LCpl. Dustin Tunnell began thinking about how could he obtain a uniform for the Marine veteran he met at the funeral.  He talked to some of his buddies and they decided to start a group page on FaceBook to solicit funds to purchase a dress uniform for the veteran.

Contributions began pouring in from people everywhere.  They quickly obtained the $730 needed to make the purchase.  They then prepared for a way to present this great gift.  After presenting him with his new dress blues they had to have a group picture.  After all what is the purpose of being a part of the few, the proud, the Marines; if not a photo-op in dress blues?

I’ve had the pleasure of asking the Marine a few questions and below, was his responses.

USF Q:  What motivated you to do this?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

I did not do this for any personal recognition. To be honest, the way this started was at an uncle of mine’s funeral in Tennessee. My uncle John “Curtis” Sammons passed away on April 28, 2010. His funeral was on April 30. I wore my Dress Blue uniform to the funeral to honor my uncle who served in the Army during Vietnam. At the funeral Bobby and I started talking about the Corps and how he served during WWII and I’m serving today.

As Robert and I were talking, he brought up that he had never received a Dress Blue uniform, and it was 1 of 2 reasons he joined the Corps. During WWII, the US devoted a lot of funds toward the war, and therefore stopped issuing the Blues uniform and only issued the Service (green uniform) until after the war was over. Bobby brought it up several times how proud he was of me, the Corps, and how nice the Dress Blue uniform is. He joined the Corps and not another branch for two reasons, 1 being for our Dress Blue uniform, and the second because he wanted to go to nice tropical places. Robert also gave me a copy of his memoir that he wrote for the family, as his daughter had requested it. Bobby told me that he did not know what medals he was awarded, and that he tried to gain that information with no luck, but he wanted it for his son and daughter.

USF Q:  How to did you plan for this?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

On my drive back to Cherry Point, where I am currently stationed, I kept thinking about what he had told me and how happy he was to see me in my Dress Blues. I decided that a hero like him should not go any longer without our nicest uniform and made up my decision. I called my dad and told him that I would need some help from the family finding out his measurements because I was going to purchase and present a Dress Blue uniform to Bobby. Dad was kind of confused about the idea, as he knows that the uniforms are expensive, but due to never having served, he has no idea the pride we have.

He brought up the idea of possibly trying to take donations to cover part of the cost so it would not all come out of my pocket. When I arrived back to Cherry Point, I brought up the idea to my fellow Marines and everyone was very enthusiastic and excited about my idea. I decided to make a Facebook event with the idea. At this point, I was hoping to receive maybe a small portion of the cost, but anything would help due to the cost of the uniform and the pay that we receive. I made the event on May 9 of this year, and in less than 24 hours I had already received $105 in donations. I was very shocked at the interest in this. When I realized that this was interesting to people, I decided to start posting it on different Marine Corps pages, and military pages.

USF Q:  What were your challenges?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

During this time, I could not figure out how I wanted to present this uniform to Bobby. Robert Webster is a very humble individual, as he even stated at the presentation when asked to speak he said “I just wanted to help my country.” To this day he says the true heroes are the ones who died, and the Navy Corpsmen. I wanted it to be something special for him, and something he would never forget, but nothing that would upset him. I considered several options, such as taking him to a recruiting station and presenting it there, or simply arriving at his house with the uniform. Then I thought of Independence Day coming up in the near future. I knew this was less than two months away, and not knowing any of his sizes, or even what medals and awards he rated, this would be very hard to accomplish.

I eventually got in contact with two individuals from Pepsi, who coordinate the Independence Day events every year at Freedom Hall. They informed me that the events would partake on July 3 this year due to the 4th being on Sunday. They were very excited about my idea, and so we sat down and discussed how this would take place. I was also able to gain all of the information regarding his service, including all of his campaigns, both times he was wounded, and even a picture that was taken on January 20, 1942 while he was in boot camp. He was very happy to receive this information, and got many laughs out of the picture that he has not seen in so many years.

USF Q:  What did you learn about Bobby?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

Bobby, along with a few other good friends joined the Marine Corps on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He shipped for boot camp on January 13, 1942 to MCRD San Diego, California. His dates of service are from January 13, 1942 until December 14, 1945 when he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, 4th Marine Division as a machine gunner. He was wounded in action on Saipan on June 15, 1944 and then again on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. His unit participated in 4 campaigns during WWII before it was disbanded due to heavy casualties at Iwo Jima. These campaigns consisted of the Battle of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands campaign, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. They were in the first wave on Saipan and Iwo Jima and third at Tinian. The battalion played a critical role in the seizure of Hill 382 (”Turkey Knob”) in an area that Marines on Iwo Jima called the “Meat Grinder.” They were awarded two presidential unit citations for their campaigns, 1 being at Iwo Jima.

USF Q:  Why was this, the right thing to do?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

I remember being so extremely proud after finishing the crucible and receiving my Eagle, Globe and Anchor and welcomed into the Marine Corps and then walking across the parade deck at Parris Island, at graduation. This is the only thing that I could compare to the way it made me feel having the opportunity to do something like this for such a wonderful man like Robert Webster. I’m honestly not sure which event made me feel better, because becoming a Marine was a great feeling, but it’s hard to compare anything to giving great joy to another individual.

The other marines who participated in this as well agreed that we all felt great about getting the opportunity to be part of this. Another very nice outcome of all of this was that it brought a lot of family together.

USF Q:  What did you learn from this experience?

LCpl. D. Tunnell A:

His daughter, her husband, and her daughter all flew in from Texas to witness this. His son was able to attend, one of his brothers, and it just brought a lot of the family together, some of which I had never met until this day. My cousin just told me the other day, that after we left his house Monday evening, as he was hanging up his uniform, he said “I never thought I would have this.” I really wish more heroes like Robert Webster could have the opportunity to receive the uniform and recognition that they deserve.

The Marines who presented the Dress Blue uniform were:

Cpl Lyle Marston from Camp Lejeune, NC attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Cpl Raymond Ortiz from Cherry Point, NC attached to the 6th Special Security Communications Team
LCpl Colin Wine from Cherry Point, NC attached to the 6th Special Security Communications Team
LCpl Michael Wilson from Cherry Point, NC attached to the 6th Special Security Communications Team
LCpl Dustin Tunnell from Cherry Point, NC attached to the 6th Special Security Communications Team

Update:  The remainder $150 that they received in donations was donated to the Wounded Warrior Project – http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ – on Robert Webster’s behalf.Three weeks after LCpl Tunnell brought the greatest joy to another, he and his partner Shelia Goodson, gave birth to Alannah Jane Tunnell, a beautiful, healthy, bouncing baby little girl.

Please join me in saluting this young Marine for Doing the Right Thing.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor and the identity of another sailor listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The announcement resulted from a July 23 incident in Logar province, Afghanistan, while the sailors were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, 30, of Wheatridge, Colo., died from wounds sustained from the July 23 incident. Coalition Forces recovered his body July 25 after an extensive search. He was assigned to Assault Craft Unit One (ACU-1), San Diego.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, 25, of Renton, Wash., is listed as DUSTWUN from the July 23 incident. Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, and the incident is under investigation.

ENCINITAS – One of two U.S. sailors missing in Afghanistan is the son of an Encinitas deputy fire marshal.

Deputy Fire Marshal George McNeley sent an e-mail to city workers and fire officials today saying his son, Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, was killed in action, Encinitas Mayor Dan Dalager told the San Diego Union- Tribune.

The Taliban has claimed they killed a U.S. sailor and kidnapped another on Friday. A massive manhunt has been underway since the sailors went missing.

“People are just pretty much in shock,” Dalager said. “I know our firefighters are already working on some things to help the family.”

George McNeley has worked for the Encinitas Fire Department for five years, Dalager said.

Justin McNeley, was stationed in San Diego before his deployment, but served with a different unit in Afghanistan.

McNeley is believed to have driven into Taliban territory Friday along with Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale.

The two Navy personnel were in the eastern province of Logar, after an armored sport utility vehicle was seen driving into a Taliban-held area. NATO officials were unable to say what they were doing in such a dangerous part of eastern Afghanistan.

The Taliban have said previously that they killed one of the two men in a firefight and captured the other.

Jim Kerr, a Colorado legislator, said the sailor killed was his wife’s nephew, Justin McNeley, 30. He said the family learned of his death Monday. He said McNeley’s mother is in Kingman, Arizona, but declined to give her name.

Kerr told The Denver Post that McNeley, a noncommissioned officer and father of two sons, was due to return to the U.S. in August.

The Taliban have said the captured sailor is in a “safe place” where he will not be found.

In a statement, the NATO-led command said the body was recovered Sunday after an extensive search and that the coalition “holds the captors accountable for the safety and proper treatment of our missing service member.”

Hundreds of fliers, with reprinted photos of the two sailors, have been distributed throughout Logar province where NATO troops were stopping vehicles, searching them and those inside. NATO has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the surviving sailor’s location.

In another incident, a soldier from San Diego was among those killed Saturday by a roadside bomb attack on their vehicle in Afghanistan.

They are identified as 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Mora of San Diego, Calif.; 23-year-old Sgt. Daniel Lim of Cypress, Calif.; 27-year-old Spc. Joseph A. Bauer, 27, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and 25-year-old Pfc. Andrew L. Hand of Enterprise, Ala.

The four were assigned to 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade at the Army base near Tacoma, Wash.

The Pentagon also released the names Monday of two high-ranking Camp Pendleton-based Marines killed in combat last week in Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Mario D. Carazo, 41, of Springfield, Ohio, and Maj. James M. Weis, 37, of Toms River, N.J., were killed Thursday in Helmand Province, according to the Department of Defense.

They were members of Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the servicemen’s deaths “tragic losses for this country.”

“They devoted themselves to serving our nation with honor and integrity, and their selfless sacrifices will never be forgotten,” the governor said.

Resource: sandiego6.com

Proud Participant of Patriot Guard Riders, National Gathering of the Guard 2010.

Week ending Jul 17, 2010 the US Department of Defense released the names of 21 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. This past week also marked the passing of two notable veterans; a baseball legend & a WWII Medal of Honor Recipient
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Welcome viewers. These weekly episodes pay tribute to brave men and women who answered the call of our country and died while supporting our nation’s wars. We focus on the warrior as a human whose lives have impacted families, friends, and our neighbors around the world. Your respectful comments are welcomed and serve as memorial tributes to our fallen soldiers. Political opinions and debates are best suited elsewhere.

We are pleased to participate in the Patriot Guard Riders National Gathering of the Guard 2010 for more details visit http://www.usfallen.org/national-gotg-2010/

Details below.

Fallen Description:

Staff Sgt. Jesse W. Ainsworth, 24, of Dayton, Texas, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Antonik, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill., 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Lt. Vernon J. Baker, 90, of St. Maries, Idaho, and Medal of Honor Recipient, Company C, 370 Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division, WWII
Sgt. Robert W. Crow, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., Missouri National Guard, 203rd Engineer Battalion, Joplin, Mo.
Spc. Joseph W. Dimock II, 21, of Wildwood, Ill, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Sgt. Donald R. Edgerton, 33, of Murphy, N.C., 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher, 24, of Ballwin, Mo. 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Nathaniel D. Garvin, 20, of Radcliff, Ky., 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23, of Apple Valley, Minn. 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Matthew J. Johnson, 21, of Maplewood, Minn. 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Pvt. Brandon M. King, 23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

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Staff Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler, 32, of Austin, Texas, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division , Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Christopher J. Moon, 20, of Tucson, Ariz. 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Carlos J. Negron, 40, of Fort Meyers, Fla., 426th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Lance Cpl. Daniel G. Raney, 21, of Pleasant View, Tenn., 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Spc. Jesse D. Reed, 26, of Orefield, Penn. 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Roads, 20, of Burney, CA. 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.;

Pfc. Anthony W. Simmons, 25, of Tallahassee, Fla., 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, Calif. 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.George

Michael Steinbrenner III, 80, Tampa, Florida, Owner and CEO of the New York Yankees, USAF veteran.
Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout, 34, of Worthville, Ky. 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

July  16, 2010 (Dallas, TX) Spc. Jerod Heath Osborne, 20, of Royse City, TX, was laid to rest in Rockwall, TX.  After church services concluded the procession made its way to Rest Heaven Cemetery led by local and state police.  Members of the Patriot Guard Riders were on hand to ensure the services were not disrupted.

The interment ceremonies began with a bagpiper leading the hearse to the gravesite.  Once, the majority of the participants gathered around the gravesite, members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, N.C. performed the military final interment ceremonies.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, participants offered the family condolences and made their way out of Texas’ scorching summer sun.

Afterward the family stayed behind to witness the casket lowered into the grave. We were blessed to share the moment with the eldest brother SSGT Wau-tash Grillett, who was also serving in Afghanistan. He also was tasked with escorting the remains of his younger brother home.  He shared his thoughts about his brother after the funeral.

On behalf of USFallen.org and its viewers, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the Grillett and Osborne families, for allowing us to share in the loss of Our American Hero. We are forever indebted to your dearest Jerod, and the sacrifice he made on our behalf. We pray you find comfort in knowing he will rest in peace, for eternity, among America’s finest who answered her call to duty and did so with valor.