RELEASE NUMBER: 060216-01
DATE POSTED: FEBRUARY 17, 2006
PRESS RELEASE: Special Operations Soldiers killed in Afghanistan
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Feb. 17, 2006) — Four Army Special Operations Soldiers died Feb. 13 north of Deh Rawod in central Afghanistan, when the vehicle they were traveling in struck an improvised explosive device.
Killed were Staff Sgt. Edwin DazaChacon, Sgt. 1st Class Chad Gonsalves, both of 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and Sgt. Alberto Montrond of Group Support Battalion, 7th SFG (A) here along with Staff Sgt. Clinton T. Newman from the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.
STAFF SGT. EDWIN H. DAZACHACON
DazaChachon, 38, was a native of Diamondbar, Calif. He joined the Army in November 1997. After a break in service, he reenlisted in the Army in 2005 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (A) as a senior cryptologic linguist in April.
He spoke Spanish and was a college graduate.
He served with the 508th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) in Vincenza, Italy and participated in deployments in Southwest Asia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the Sanai. He also served with 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C., during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
DazaChachon’s military education included Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training for Infantrymen, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Airborne Course, and the Jumpmaster Course.
DazaChacon’s awards and decorations included the Bronze Star with “V” device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Senior Parachutist Badge, Tunisian Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Action Badge.
He is survived by his mother, Smila Franks of Brea, Calif., his father Edison DazaArana of Palmira Valle, Colombia, South America and his sisters, Monique Francesca DazaChacon of Brea, Calif., and Jessica DazaChacon of Laguna Niguel, Calif.
SGT. 1ST CLASS CHAD A. GONSALVES
Gonsalves, a native of Turlock, Calif., was 31 years old. He joined the Army in July 1996 and completed basic and advanced individual training as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga.
He then served as an infantry team leader with 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, Conn Barracks, near Schweinfurt, Germany where he served four years. In 2000, Gonsalves volunteered for Special Forces training and upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course he was assigned to 7th SFG (A) in 2001 as a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
His awards and decorations included the Bronze Star with “V” device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Badge, Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab.
Gonsalves’ awards and decorations included the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Badge, Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab.
He is survived by his wife Julie, and three sons Cody, Blake and Dylan of Spring Lake, N.C. His parents, Larry and Marsha Gonsalves of Turlock also survive him.
SGT. ALBERTO D. MONTROND
Montrond, a resident of Fayetteville, N.C., was 27 years old. He enlisted in the Army in July 1998 as a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer. After completing his specialty and airborne training, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 307th Forward Support Bn., 82nd Airborne Division Support Command. In June 2002, Montrond was promoted to the rank of sergeant and assigned to the 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (A), U.S. Army Special Operations Support Command. Two years later, he was assigned to the Group Support Battalion, 7th SFG (A).
Montrond’s military education included the Primary Leadership Development Course and Basic Airborne Course.
His awards and decorations included Bronze Star with “V” device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badges.
Montrond is survived by his wife, Christl, and his children, Nazeraeh and Kevyn. His parents, Alberto and Maria Montrond of the Republic of Cape Verde, also survive him.
STAFF SGT. CLINTON T. NEWMAN
Newman, 26, enlisted in the Army in July 1997 after graduating from Pleasanton High School, Pleasanton, Texas. He completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., as a Bradley fighting vehicle infantryman. He was then assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, Baumholder, Germany. In 1999, he served with 1st Armor Division in Bad Kruetznach there.
At the completion of his active duty enlistment, Newman continued his service as an Army Reserve Soldier. In 2001, he graduated from the Civil Affairs Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., and was assigned to the 492nd Civil Affairs Bn., Phoenix, Ariz. In May 2005, he was mobilized for deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade.
He completed the Basic Airborne Course and later the Primary Leadership Development Course in 2000. He was promoted to staff sergeant in October 2003.
Newton also attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and studied criminal justice there.
His awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Newman is survived by his mother and stepfather, Deborah and Bill Agnew of Pleasanton, Texas, and his father and stepmother, Fred and Deborah Newman of Big Spring, Texas.
http://news.soc.mil/releases/06FEB/060216-01.html
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