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Category Archives: War on Terror

Ryan M. Lumley

11 Dec

New details were released Friday in the deaths of three soldiers caught in an explosion in the Wardack Province of Afghanistan, including Army SPC Ryan M. Lumley, of Lakeland.

According to a report released by the Army, Lumley, 21, and his unit were on their way to a combat outpost in southern Sayadabad on a cloudless 3 Dec 11 afternoon when an explosion occurred directly beneath one of their vehicles. In a scene some of their comrades described as “surreal” and “in slow motion,” members of the platoon rushed to rescue the soldiers from the burning vehicle, the report said. They pulled a medic and interpreter to safety, but were unable to fight against flames to rescue Lumley, Sgt. 1st Class Clark Corley and Spc. Thomas Mayberry.

The funeral for Lumley has been set for next Saturday at Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland. He is scheduled to be buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

According to the report, Lumley, who lived in Lakeland briefly, joined the military in May 2009. Once finished with infantryman training, he reported to Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas, for his first assignment. He was deployed to Afghanistan to serve as a vehicle operator.

The Army report included kind words from one of his fellow soldiers, Spc. Josue Gonzalez-Cruz, who attested to Lumley’s love for his wife and plans to throw a barbeque party for his platoon once they returned home from deployment.

Activity on Lumley’s Facebook page online showed people planning to send care packages to him as recently as November. A note on Nov. 1 by a woman named Jodi Barry, listed as his mother on the social networking website, expressed an outpouring of support and pride.

“Hey honey just think of all you will want to do next year,” Barry wrote. “Just know we are all thinking of you everyday and love and miss you and are marking our calendars off one day at a time [until] you return.”

SPC Lumley is the 1,850th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Clark A. Corley Jr.

11 Dec

A U.S. Army soldier from Oxnard died from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device attack in Warduk Province in eastern Afghanistan 3 Dec 11.

SFC Clark A. Corley Jr., from Oxnard, was one of three soldiers killed in the attack.

SPC Ryan M. Lumley, from Lakeland, Fla., and SPC Thomas J. Mayberry, from Springville, Calif., were also killed in the attack.

All were assigned to the 2nd Battalion; 5th Infantry Regiment; 3rd Brigade Combat Team; 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

According to the Army, Corley, 35, was an Infantryman (MOS 11B) who entered the Army December 1995. He was previously stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Irwin, Calif., Fort Lee, Va., Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Camp Hovey, Korea, and Fort Hood, Texas.

Corley’s military education includes Hazardous Materials Certification, Radiological Safety, Action Officer Development Course and Sling Load Inspection Certification. Corley’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal-Fourth Award, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

Corley is survived by his spouse and one child.

A memorial ceremony in honor of the fallen soldiers will be coordinated and announced at a later date, according to the Army.

SFC Corley is the 1,849th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Vincent J. Bell

02 Dec

SSG Vincent J. Bell, 28, of Detroit, Mich., died 30 Nov 11 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion; 11th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Division; I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

SSG Bell is the 1,848th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on December 2, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Adam J. Buyes

29 Nov

As reported on OregonLive.com, a 21-year-old Marine from Salem has died while fighting in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday that Cpl. Adam J. Buyes, a 2008 graduate of McKay High School, died Saturday in combat operations in Helmand province.

He was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Okinawa, Japan.

The circumstances surrounding his death were under investigation, the Defense Department said.

Buyes became the 150th service member from Oregon and Southwest Washington to die in the Middle East conflicts. He was the 31st Oregonian to die in Afghanistan. To see a list of fatalities, go to Farewell to the Fallen, a list maintained by The Oregonian.

His brother, Joshua, is a fellow graduate of McKay High and member of the Marines.

Buyes was a three-sport athlete at McKay, participating on the bowling, track and field, and football teams.

Jay Minyard, McKay’s varsity football head coach, got to know Buyes both on the football field and in the classroom. “He had high morals, a great work ethic,” Minyard said. “His peers loved him; his teachers loved him.”

OregonPrepSports.net named Buyes a Central Valley 6A honorable mention all-star in his senior year.

“It’s not easy to lose such a good kid at such a young age,” Minyard said.

McKay Principal Ken Parshall sent an email informing students and staff of Buyes’ death.

“Our counselors are available for any of you who may need assistance processing this tragic event. Please know that our staff is here to support you,” he wrote.

CPL Buyes is the 1,843rd American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 29, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Joshua D. Corral

23 Nov

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that more than 400 people lined a Danville road Monday to form a silent procession honoring Lance CPL Joshua D. Corral, who was killed in Afghanistan last week.

The Department of Defense announced Monday that Corral, 19, had died 18 Nov 11 while in combat in Helmand province.

The 2010 graduate of San Ramon Valley High School grew up in Danville and was known by most in town as Chachi, said family friend Don Busboom, an American government teacher at the high school.

“Anyone that met Chachi knew that they had encountered somebody who would always put a smile on their faces,” he said. “He was somebody that embraced life and made people feel good to be around him.”

The second oldest of four brothers, Corral was always active and playing sports, and had played on the school’s football team as a freshman, Busboom said.

Despite his young age, Corral knew he wanted to serve in the military, like his grandfather, whom he and his family called Colonel. He graduated first in his Marine Corps class and was his squad’s sweeper – he would go in front of the squad to sweep the area for improvised explosive devices, Busboom said.

“He was somebody who had lived his short life with a sense of purpose, and part of that purpose was to serve others,” he said.

Corral was on his first tour of duty.

Community members organized the procession as a way to greet the family, which was returning from Dover Air Force Base. Corral’s body will be flown back from Dover at a later date.

“We were just letting them know that the community is here for them,” said Turner Stanton, 16.

Busboom will lead a candlelight vigil at Oak Hill Park at 6 p.m. today.

He said what would always stick with him the most is Corral’s focus and sense of purpose.

“He was somebody who knew what he was doing,” he said. “He knew he would be willing to sacrifice his life so people like you and I could live. For somebody that’s 19, that’s a powerful statement.”
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/21/BAT61M2F4U.DTL#ixzz1ea7mSLWF

Lance CPL Corral is the 1,842nd American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 23, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Zachary C. Reiff

23 Nov

The Desert Sun is reporting a Marine corporal stationed at Twentynine Palms and serving in Afghanistan has died, the second local Marine killed in Afghanistan this month.

CPL Zachary C. Reiff, 22, of Preston, Iowa, died Monday from wounds received from an explosive device while on patrol in Helmand province, the U.S. Marine Corps reported.

Reiff was an anti-tank missileman assigned to 3rd Battalion; 7th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Division based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

He joined the Marine Corps in December 2008. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan, the Marine Corps said.

Reiff was wounded on Friday and died Monday night at a hospital in Germany, said Dave Miller, principal of Preston High School where Reiff graduated.

He said that Reiff’s parents, Marcia and Matt Reiff of Preston, flew to Germany on Saturday.

Reiff was a wrestler and football player in high school and participated in plays and student government, Miller said.

“He was a good kid,” Miller said.

Reiff’s personal service awards include the Purple Heart with gold star device, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star device, the Marine Corps said.

CPL Reiff is the 1,841st American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 23, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Jackie L. Diener

23 Nov

New York Daily News is reporting that Gov. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tue, 29 Nov 11 in honor of a Fort Drum soldier who died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on 21 Nov 11.

Private Jackie L. Diener II died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum. Private Diener was from Boyne City, Michigan.

“I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Private Diener and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers,” Cuomo said. “We will honor the service of this Fort Drum soldier and we will be forever grateful for his dedication to our nation.”

Gov. Cuomo has directed that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to our state’s service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.

PVT Diener is the 1,840th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 23, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Adam E. Dobereiner

21 Nov

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

PFC Adam E. Dobereiner, 21, of Moline, Ill., died Nov. 18 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion; 36th Engineer Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas.

According to the 8th Engineer Battalion Facebook page, Dobereiner was a member of the 937th Route Clearance Company. He was killed in the Arghandab Valley in southern Afghanistan, and two other soldiers were injured.

In a news release Sunday, the Illinois National Guard says it is providing military support to the Dobereiner family. They have declined interviews.

Dobereiner was a 2008 graduate of Moline High School where he was a wrestler and on the football team.

Moline wrestling Coach James Ealy tells the Quad City Times that Dobereiner was a hard worker with guts and determination.

He says Dobereiner’s family has a history of military service.

PFC Dobereiner is the 1,839th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 21, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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Sean M. Walsh

18 Nov

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

SPC Sean M. Walsh, 21, of San Jose, Calif., died Nov. 16, in Khowst province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained after encountering indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 185th Military Police Battalion; 49th Military Police Brigade from Pittsburg, Calif.

SPC Walsh is the 1,838th American killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 18, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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James R. Burnett Jr. and Matthew C. Colin

18 Nov

They died 16 Nov 11, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion; 5th Infantry Regiment; 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team; 25th Infantry Division from Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Killed were: SPC James R. Burnett Jr., 21, of Wichita, Kan.; and PFC Matthew C. Colin, 22, of Navarre, Fla.

Ken Colin said on his Facebook post that he intended to be at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Thursday afternoon when his son’s body was returned. He later sent a message from Dover thanking the many friends and family who have commented on his posts since Matt Colin’s death.

Matt Colin is survived by his father, his mother Kathy and his older brother, Michael.

The death occurred earlier this week, according to Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, which was charged with bringing Colin’s remains home.

Matt Colin joined the Army after he graduated from Navarre in 2007, according to Amanda Bishop, a teacher there.

Bishop and others who knew Colin used the word “exceptional” to describe him.

“He was soft spoken, a great athlete, a class act. This is a tragic loss,” said Mike McHenry, a friend of the family.

Bishop teaches a course at Navarre called Family Dynamics, which requires a lot of interaction between students and instructors.

“You get to see these students and what they are about. Matthew was a sincere, genuine, hard working kid,” she said. “I remember him as being upbeat, compassionate and very involved.”

Bishop said Colin was extremely close to his family and “always had time to help his friends.”

“I imagine the passion he had for his friends extended to the passion he had for his country,” a weeping Bishop said. “He died for what he was passionate about. He is going to be missed.”

McHenry said Colin was an exceptional athlete in high school who likely was going to make a career of his military service.

“He loved every minute of it,” he said. “He thought he was making a difference.”

On his Facebook page, Ken Colin stated that two other members of his son’s unit had been killed in recent days.

Although the Army did not provide confirmation, Matt Colin apparently was attached to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The two soldiers Ken Colin referenced on his Facebook post were with that combat team.

McHenry said he believed Matt Colin’s deployment to Afghanistan was nearing an end when he was killed.

Navarre High School Principal Brian Noack said “The entire Raider Nation” was mourning the loss.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends during this most difficult time,” Noack said in an email statement. “Matthew paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved and for the freedoms that we all so often take for granted.

Words cannot express the gratitude and pride that Matt has brought to his country, his school and his community.”

They are respectively the 1,836th and 1,837th Americans killed in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden

 
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Posted by on November 18, 2011 in War on Terror

 

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