USASOC memorializes 50 fallen Soldiers during Fort Bragg ceremony

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:45

RELEASE NUMBER: 060525-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 25, 2006

Quote:

USASOC memorializes 50 fallen Soldiers during Fort Bragg ceremony
By Paul Prince
U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 25, 2005) — Fifty Army Special Operations Soldiers, killed during combat operations while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan were remembered today during a somber ceremony held by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, here.

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commanding general of USASOC, addressed an audience of about 500 fellow Soldiers, family members, friends and special guests.

“No words can adequately describe the valor of the men and women we honor today,” said Wagner. “The Soldiers we honor today follow in the footsteps of our forefathers who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect America and to spread freedom throughout the world.”

Approximately 260 family members of the fallen warriors traveled from across the United States to participate in the ceremony held in the Meadows Memorial Plaza. After personalized nameplates were unveiled, family members celebrated the life and military service of their loved ones as they approached the wall to lay roses at its base and touch the engraved legacy of courage and selfless sacrifice of their Soldier.

“The completeness of these Soldiers’ lives is not measured in length, but in deeds, commitment and accomplishments that gave their life such great purpose. They died that others may live in freedom and they’ve earned a place of honor in our history books to remind future generations that these Soldiers’ sacrifices are the price of freedom,” said Wagner.

The Memorial Wall originally listed Soldiers killed in action during combat in Vietnam, and was updated in the 1980s to include Soldiers who were missing in action or declared dead. The wall was later expanded to include all Army Special Operations Soldiers killed in action from 1983 to the present.

This year’s ceremony honored 49 fallen special operations Soldiers; with the addition of Staff Sgt. Robert S. Goodwin, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C. whose nameplate was placed on the USASOC Memorial Wall at last year’s ceremony, but his family was unable to attend. Goodwin and his family were honored during this year’s program.

The Memorial Wall now displays the names of 965 fallen special operations Soldiers.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the families and friends of the fallen Solders gravitated back toward the wall to preserve this commemorating moment in time by capturing the impression of the respective loved one’s nameplate with rubbings.

The names of the following Soldiers were added to the Memorial Wall during the ceremony:

Operation Enduring Freedom

Staff Sgt. Leroy E. Alexander, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N. C.

Sgt. 1st Class Victor H. Cervantes, 1st Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Edwin H. DazaChacon, 3rd Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Master Sgt. Emigdio E. Elizarraras, 3rd Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt Christopher M. Falkel, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Pfc. Damian J. Garza, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 3rd Bn., 160th Special Operations Aviation Regt., Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Sgt. 1st Class Chad A. Gonsalves, 3rd Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.,

Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Pvt. John M. Henderson Jr., 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Sgt. 1st Class Allen C. Johnson, 1st Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg N. C.

1st Sgt. Tobias C. Meister, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.

Sgt. Alberto D. Montrond, Group Support Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Clinton T. Newman, 321st CA Bde., San Antonio, Texas.

Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 1st Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg N. C.

Sgt. 1st Class James “Tre” Ponder, 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Capt. Charles D. Robinson, 1st Bn., 7th SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Robinson, 2nd Bn., 20th SFG, Elliott, Miss.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Master Sgt. Joseph J. Andres Jr., U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Ricardo Barraza, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., Fort Lewis, Wash.

Sgt. Dale G. Brehm, 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., Fort Lewis, Wash.

Sgt. 1st Class Lance S. Cornett, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Trevor John Diesing, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Maj. Gregory J. Fester, 322nd CA Bde., Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

Staff Sgt. Gary R. Harper Jr., 2nd Bn., 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Pfc. Dillon M. Jutras, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., Fort Benning, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Kimmell, 3rd Bn., 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Langmack, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Cpl. George A. Lutz II, 9th Psychological Operations Bn., 4th PSYOP Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence E. Morrison, USACAPOC, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Regina C. Reali, 351st CA Command, Mountain View, Calif.

Cpl. Timothy M. Shea, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., Fort Benning, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Ayman A. Taha, 3rd Bn., 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Maj. Jeffrey P. Toczylowski, 1st Bn., 10th SFG, Panzer Kaserne, Germany.

Sgt. 1st Class Brett E. Walden, 1st Bn., 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Cheyenne C. Willey, 351st CA Cmd., Mountain View, Calif.

Master Sgt. Anthony Ray Charles Yost, 3rd Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C.

-usasoc-

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:46

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command color guard posts the colors at the start of the command's memorial ceremony held at the USASOC headquarters, Fort Bragg, N.C. May 25. The names of 49 Soldiers were put on the Memorial Wall during this ceremony. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:47

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commanding general U.S. Army Special Operations Command, speaks to more than 500 friends and family members at the Memorial Wall outside the U.S. Army Special Operations Command headquarters, Fort Bragg, N.C., during the USASOC Memorial Service May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:47

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Soldiers unveil the Memorial Wall outside thecommand's headquarters building, Fort Bragg, N.C., during a ceremony honoring the fallen special operations Soldiers May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:48

A U.S. Army Special Operations Soldier strikes a brass bell as the command sergeants major read each of the names of fallen Soldiers during the command's annual Memorial Ceremony May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:48

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner, commanding general U.S. Army Special Operations Command, pays tribute to 50 members of the special operations community whose names were added to the Memorial Wall during a memorial ceremony here May 25. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall assists with placing the wreath. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:49

Lt. Col. Robert White plays taps during a solemn ceremony at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command headquarters, Fort Bragg, N.C., honoring fallen special operations Soldiers whose names were added to the Memorial Wall May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Dan** · 05-25-2006, 19:49

Family members of fallen Soldiers touch the names of their loved ones. 49 names were added to the Memorial Wall outside the headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., in a solemn memorial ceremony held on May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

MtnGoat · 05-25-2006, 20:24

Peace be granted to the families of all of these 50 Great America's

Master Sgt. Anthony Ray Charles Yost, 3rd Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C. Good friend, husband, and father!

Staff Sgt. Ayman A. Taha, 3rd Bn., 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Ky. Taha you will be missed, may your sprit fly as you do.

Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak, USASOC, Fort Bragg, N.C. Good Friend and warrior!! Peace onto you!

Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG, Fort Bragg, N.C. Good Friend and ass kicker!!

x SF med · 05-26-2006, 08:31

tough to see some of the names - I went through the course with a few in 83-84. Peace brothers, you earned it.

**Dan** · 05-26-2006, 08:58

Family members of fallen Soldiers make rubbings of nameplates added to the Memorial Wall outside the headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., in a solemn memorial ceremony held on May 25. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)

**Bill Harsey** · 05-28-2006, 19:43

Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, USASOC.

May you rest in peace Bob.
You continue to be a strong inspiration and are not forgotten.

Besides being a true warrior, Robert was also one hell of a knifemaker as is his twin brother John.

...get the knife shop running at your current location, I'll be there to sweep the floors later.
Bill

fighting_irish · 05-30-2006, 07:28

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Robinson, 2nd Bn., 20th SFG

We miss you brother, rest assured that you will never be forgotten by your family and friends.

whitej34 · 05-31-2006, 10:24

xx

06-09-2006, 17:21

They spelled Garys name wrong on almost everything. SSG Gary Harper.

RIP brother, you're missed.