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DATE POSTED: JUNE 20, 2005

PRESS RELEASE: Two USASOC Soldiers die in Iraq

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2005) — Two Army Special Operations Soldiers based here died June 17, 2005 in western Iraq when their unit was attacked with enemy small arms fire during combat operations.

Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, 40, and Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty, 36, both special operations team members, sustained fatal injuries during the attack. They were both assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Horrigan enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in May 1984. He served with various units to include the 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. After a brief separation from active duty, he reenlisted and was assigned to the 5th Ranger Training Battalion serving as a team leader and Ranger instructor. In February 1991, he volunteered for Special Forces and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in September 1991. Horrigan was then assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) here where he served as a senior Special Forces weapons sergeant.

His awards and decorations included two Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor Device, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Scuba Diver's Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.

McNulty enlisted in the U.S. Army upon graduation from Larkin High School in Elgin, Ill., in 1986. After completion of initial entry training, he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, Fort Lewis, Wash. After a brief separation of service, he reenlisted April 1994. McNulty then served with the 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky. and later served with the 27th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a rifle squad leader, an instructor, and a reconnaissance squad leader.

His awards and decorations included the three Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor Device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Military Freefall Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Both Soldiers were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, and the Purple Heart. Additionally, Horrigan was awarded the Legion of Merit and McNulty was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. McNulty was posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant.

Horrigan is survived by his wife, Denise, daughter, Courtney, his mother Mary, his sister Lisa Shine, twin brother John and brother Daniel.

McNulty is survived by his wife, Paula; four children, Cyle, Eric, Katie and Rebecca; and parents Davis and Ann Marie McNulty.