Week ending Jun 19, 2010 the US Department of Defense released the names of 17military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. The DoD also announced the identification of 4 MIA from the Vietnam War. This episode also includes a courtesy photo and comments for a soldier previously reported on.

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.

Fallen Description:

Spc. Christian M. Adams, 26, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
Spc. Brian M. Anderson, 24, of Harrisonburg, Va., 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Lance Cpl. Michael C. Bailey, 29, of Park Hills, Mo., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, IMarine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Spc. Matthew R. Catlett, 23, of Houston, Texas; 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Fike, 38, of Conneautville, Pa. Army National Guard, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, Connellsville, Pa.
Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Hoover, 29, of West Elizabeth, Pa. Army National Guard, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, Connellsville, Pa.
Spc. Charles S. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, Okla.; 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam; 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Israel P. O’Bryan, 24, of Newbern, Tenn., 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash
Spc. Christopher W. Opat, 29, of Spencer, Iowa, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, N.Y., 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Blaine E. Redding, 22, of Plattsmouth, Neb. 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Mario Rodriguez, 24, of Smithville, Texas, 264th Clearance Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Ala., 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base.
Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest, 23, of St. Clair, Mich., 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, IIIMarine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Seaman William Ortega, 23, of Miami, Fla., and Capt. Michael P. Cassidy, 41, of Simpsonville, S.C., names were released late Saturday afternoon and will be featured on next week’s episode due to no information or photos being available at production time.

Video Description:

Music
Theme JFK – John Williams
In the Arms of an Angel – Sarah Mclachlan
Taps – US Army Ceremonial Band, Pershing’s Own -

Photos/Resources
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Jerry Castillo
Producer

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of four U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are Capt. Peter H. Chapman, II, Centerburg, Ohio; Tech. Sgt. Allen J. Avery, Auburn, Mass.; Tech. Sgt. Roy D. Prater, Tiffin, Ohio; and Sgt. James H. Alley, Plantation, Fla., all U.S. Air Force.

Prater is to be buried in Columbia City, Ind., on June 19. Other burials are being scheduled individually by the families of the airmen.

On April 6, 1972, six airmen were flying a combat search and rescue mission in their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter over Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam when they were hit by enemy ground fire and crashed. Joint U.S. – Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) field investigations from 1989 to 1992, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), yielded evidence leading to an excavation at the crash site in 1994 as well as two reported burial sites. Team members recovered human remains and personal effects as well as aircraft debris. As a result of these recoveries, all six men on the aircraft were accounted-for in 1997 and buried as a group at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. Three were individually identified at that time. Recent technical advances enabled JPAC to identify additional remains to be those of Prater.

Previously, in 1988, the S.R.V. turned over remains they attributed to an American serviceman, however, the name did not match anyone lost or missing from the Vietnam War. The remains were held by JPAC pending improved technology which might have facilitated an identification later.

In the mid-2000s, JPAC’s laboratory gained increased scientific capability to associate the 1988 remains to the correct loss. The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) tested these remains against all those servicemembers who were MIA from the Vietnam War with negative results. In 2009, AFDIL expanded its search to make comparisons with previously- resolved individuals. As a result of AFDIL’s mitochondrial DNA testing, JPAC scientists determined that these remains were associated with four of the six airmen from the 1972 crash.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.

Week ending Jun 12, 2010 the US Department of Defense released the names of 18 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. The DoD also announced the return of 9 MIA from the Vietnam War and 1 unknown to identified from WWII. This episode also includes a courtesy photo for a soldier previously reported on and a unit correction.

Welcome viewers as we mark our 1st anniversary. 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. In the words of Lincoln, “they gave their full measure and devotion to our country.”

Join us as we honor the warrior as a human whose sacrifice has impacted families, friends, and our neighbors around the world. Your respectful comments are welcomed and serve as memorial tributes to our fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines. Political opinions and debates are best suited elsewhere.

Fallen Description:

Lance Cpl. Gavin R. Brummund, 22, of Arnold, Calif., 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Sgt. Brandon C. Bury, 26, of Kingwood, Texas. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Anthony A. Dilisio, 20, of Macomb, Mich., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores, 31, of San Antonio, Texas, 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz, 25, of Grass Lake, Mich., 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
Pvt. Francisco J. Guardado-Ramirez, 21, of Sunland Park, N.M., 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez, 20, of Edinburg, Texas. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, N.Y., 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
U.S. Navy Fireman Third Class Gerald G. Lehman, of Hancock, Mich. USS Oklahoma, Pearl Harbor, HI. Previously listed as unknown, but recently was identified.
Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Mo. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan, 23, of Orlando, Fla., 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Spc. Brendan P. Neenan 21, of Enterprise, Ala.; 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.;
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, 25, of Cameron Mills, N.Y., 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. John K. Rankel, 23, of Speedway, Ind., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. Derek L. Shanfield, 22, of Hastings, Pa. 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Staff Sgt. David C. Smith, 26, of Eight Mile, Ala., 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base.

1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, 24, of Sag Harbor, N.Y., New York Army National Guardsman 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Sgt. Steve M. Theobald, 53, of Goose Creek, S.C., US Army Reserves, 1058th Convoy Security Company, 287th Transportation Company, Livingston, Ala.
Sgt. Zachary J. Walters, 24, of Palm Coast, Fla. 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Senior Airman Benjamin D. White, 24, of Erwin, Tenn., 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ.

MIA Vietnam War Group Burial

US Air Force

Col. William H. Mason, Camden, Ark.;

Lt. Col. Jerry L. Chambers, Muskogee, Okla.;

Maj. William T. McPhail, Chattanooga, Tenn.;

Maj. Thomas B. Mitchell,  Littleton, Colo.;

Chief Master Sgt. John Q. Adam, Bethel, Kan.;

Chief Master Sgt. Calvin C. Glover, Steubenville, Ohio;

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas E. Knebel, Midway, Ark.;

Chief Master Sgt. Melvin D. Rash, Yorktown, Va.;

Master Sgt. Gary Pate, Brooks, Ga.,

Video Description:

Music

USAF Ceremonial Brass Band – Nearer My God To Thee

Ronan Tynan – Go Rest High On That Mountain

US Army Ceremonial Band, Pershing’s Own -Taps

Photos/Resources

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USFallen.org  Video Production

Jerry Castillo

Producer

Week ending June 05, 2010 the US Department of Defense released the names of 5 military personnel who died, while serving in the United States armed forces. The DoD also announced the return of 2 MIA’s, 1 from the Vietnam War and 1 from the Korean War. This episode also includes a courtesy photo for a soldier previously reported on.

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.

Fallen Description:

Lance Cpl. Anthony A. Dilisio, 20, of Macomb, Mich., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Pvt. Francisco J. Guardado-Ramirez, 21, of Sunland Park, N.M., 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

MSG Roy Head, 29, of Scott County, Virginia, Korean War MIA,
49th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS to read more visit here.

Cpl. Jeffery W. Johnson, 21, of Tomball, Texas, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Spc. Jonathan K. Peney, 22, of Marietta, Ga., 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Pfc. Alvaro R. Regalado Sessarego, 37, of Virginia Beach, Va., 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

USAF Col. Elton L. Perrine of Pittsford, N.Y., Vietnam War MIA, F-4C Phantom Pilot to read more of his story visit here.

Pfc. Jake W. Suter, 18, of Los Angeles, Calif., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Video Description:

Music
Amazing Grace – USAF Band
Taps – US Army Ceremonial Band, Pershing’s Own

Photos/Resources
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USFallen.org Video Production
Jerry Castillo
Producer

6/3/2010 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Officials from the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office

announced June 2 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Col. Elton L. Perrine of Pittsford, N.Y., was buried last week at Arlington National Cemetery.

On May 22, 1967, Colonel Perrine and Capt. Kenneth F. Backus completed a nighttime strike against the Cao Nung Railroad Yard near the town of Kep in North Vietnam. Seconds after the bomb run, a nearby aircrew reported seeing an isolated explosion approximately three miles east of the target, thought to be Colonel Perrine’s F-4C Phantom aircraft crashing. Search and rescue attempts were not initiated because of heavy anti-aircraft fire in the area.

Analysts from DPMO developed case leads with information spanning more than 28 years. Through interviews with eyewitnesses and research in the National Archives, four locations in Lang Son Province were pinpointed as potential crash sites, separated by as many as 10 miles.

Between 1999 and 2008, U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam teams, led by people from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, further analyzed leads, interviewed villagers, conducted two surveys and four excavations. The teams recovered small pieces of aircraft wreckage, human remains, personal effects and life-support equipment from the four locations.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA, which matched that of Perrine’s mother, in the identification of his remains. No remains connected to Captain Backus were recovered at the locations.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.