______________
Lance Cpl. Juan E. Segura
Age: 26Hometown: Homestead, FL
Date of Death: 11/9/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Incident: Killed by enemy action in Anbar province.
Juan Segura was a regular at the local boxing gym from the time he was a small boy. When he became old enough, he volunteered as a sparring partner and competed in amateur regional tournaments. Segura's father, Jesus Torres, said he was determined to be a professional boxer, like his father and grandfather in Mexico. Torres said his son had one request for his expected homecoming in December: "He wanted me to go buy him boxing boots, a robe and gloves. He told me he was ready to become a pro like his dad." Segura, 26, of Homestead, Fla., died Nov. 9 in fighting with insurgents in Anbar province. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Segura was finishing up his second tour of duty in Iraq. He stunned his family during a visit home on Mother's Day when he said he had volunteered to return to combat. "The whole time I kept telling him, be safe and come home," his father said. "He would tell me, `Yeah, yeah, Dad, I am going to be fine.'"
______________
Pfc. Kenny D. Rojas
Age: 21Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL
Date of Death: 10/29/2005
Incident Location: Beiji, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Pfc.
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
Unit's Base: Fort Stewart, Ga.
Incident: Killed when his unit was conducting a combat patrol and a landmine exploded near his Humvee near Bayji.
______________
Sgt. Pamela G. Osbourne
Age: 38Hometown: Hollywood, FL
Date of Death: 10/11/2004
Incident Location: Baghdad
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Sgt.
Unit: Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division
Unit's Base: Fort Hood, Texas
Incident: Killed when two rockets struck their camp in Baghdad.
Pamela G. Osbourne called home from Baghdad every morning, between 5 and 6. When the phone didn't ring Oct. 10, Rohan Osbourne called out for his wife in his sleep. Two of their three children woke him to ask him what was wrong. "Why are you calling mom's name?" they asked him. He said it was probably because he was not awakened by her usual phone call. Osbourne, 38, of Hollywood, Fla., died Oct. 11 when rockets hit her Baghdad camp. She joined the Army in 2001 and was based at Fort Hood. A native of Jamaica, Osbourne came to the United States when she was 14. She lived in Miami, then in Hollywood, where she worked as a certified nurse's assistant at a nursing home. She had two dreams: to become a U.S. citizen and to serve in the military. She accomplished both. Her husband said a medical condition could have kept her out of harm's way, but Osbourne refused to avoid Iraq. "Hold your head up, baby," she said during their last conversation. "I'm coming home. Even if I come home in a box, you should know that I did it for you. Take care of the kids. Stay strong. And remember that I love you."
______________
Sgt. Phillip D. McNeil
Age: 22Hometown: Sunrise, FL
Date of Death: 1/20/2007
Incident Location: Karmah, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Sgt.
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Inf
Unit's Base: Fort Richardson, AK
Incident: Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his Humvee in Karmah.
______________
Lance Cpl. Rene Martinez
Age: 20Hometown: Miami, FL
Date of Death: 9/24/2006
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expediti
Unit's Base: Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Incident: Killed while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Anbar Province.
Cpl. Rene Martinez, 20, of Miami was killed Sunday, the military said. Martinez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force and was deployed to Iraq about three months ago. Martinez graduated from Miami Sunset Senior High School and had wanted to be a Marine since he was young. He had hoped to study accounting after completing his service, his sister Maria Martinez told The Miami Herald.
______________
Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Mancini
Age: 43Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Date of Death: 1/29/2004
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Sgt. 1st Class
Unit: 486th Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve
Incident: A weapons cache near the troops exploded outside Ghazni, Afghanistan.
______________
Spc. Alexander Jordan
Age: 31Hometown: Miami, FL
Date of Death: 9/10/2006
Incident Location: Baghdad
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Spc.
Unit: 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Unit's Base: Fort Richardson, Alaska
Incident: Killed when he encountered enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations in Baghdad.
______________
Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby
Age: 21 years oldHometown: Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.
Died: June 28, 2005 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air Field, Ga.
Incident: Killed on a rescue mission when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard crashed in the vicinity of Asadabad.
______________
Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez
Age: 25Hometown: Hialeah, FL
Date of Death: 4/14/2003
Incident Location: Central Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Cpl.
Unit: Marine Wing Support Squadron-273, MWS Group-27, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Unit's Base: Beaufort, S.C.
Incident: Killed in a non-hostile accident when a commercial refueler collapsed at Logistics Supply Area Viper.
Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez never forgot his family. He came to the United States from Cuba in 1995 and learned English at Miami-Dade Community College in Florida, said his father, Julio Orlando Gonzalez. "I'm very proud of him. He was serious, affectionate and responsible," he said. "He always hung out with his brother and me. Even after he married he always came around. He looked after me, his brother and his wife." Gonzalez, 25, of Hialeah, Fla., was killed April 14 when a commercial refueling truck collapsed as he worked beneath it. He was married seven months before his death.
______________
Pfc. Roger A. Suarez-Gonzalez
Age: 21 years oldHometown: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died: December 4, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Incident: Killed by small arms fire while conducting security and observation operations in Ramadi.
______________
Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott R. McHugh
Age: 33Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Date of Death: 5/2/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Navy
Rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class
Unit: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14
Unit's Base: Jacksonville, Fla.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott McHugh loved fishing, camping and canoeing, and was devoted to his family and friends. "He was always fun, just a great guy to be around," said Jonathan Mogor, who became friends with McHugh when they were teens and joined the Navy with him. "You always had a great time when you were with him." McHugh, 33, of Boca Raton , Fla., was killed by hostile fire May 2 in Iraq's Anbar province. A Navy Seabee, he was based in Jacksonville, Fla. After graduating from high school in 1989, McHugh attended Palm Beach Community College for a year before joining the Navy. After a few years, he joined the Navy Reserves, returned home and became an emergency medical technician. He was still trying to figure out his future when he was called into active duty in March. "It's such a shame," said his mother, Joyce McHugh. "He was a super, super honest guy. He was a straight arrow."
______________
Spec. Manuel Lopez III
Age: 20 years oldHometown: Cape Coral, Florida, U.S.
Died: April 12, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Incident: Killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Humvee in Baghdad.
______________
Staff Sgt. Jude R. Jonaus
Age: 27Hometown: Miami, FL
Date of Death: 9/6/2005
Incident Location: Baghdad
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Staff Sgt.
Unit: Brigade Troops Battalion, Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
Unit's Base: Fort Stewart, GA
When Jude R. Jonaus was sent to Baghdad as a pharmacy technician, he assured his family that his job placed him far from the line of fire. "When he left, one of my cousins said 'Be careful,' and he answered, 'Man, I'm nowhere near danger. What am I going to do? Slip on a pill?'" said his younger brother, Ricky. Jonaus, 27, of Miami, was killed Sept. 6 when his vehicle rolled over after hitting a bomb. He graduated high school in 1996 and was assigned to Fort Stewart. Jonaus dreamed of being a career soldier. "Ever since he was a little boy, he would say, 'When I grow up, I want to be the chief,'" said his father, Gernessoit Jonaus. He was a strong athlete. In April, he placed sixth in a bench-press contest at Camp Taji, when, weighing 176 pounds, he lifted 260 pounds. He also played soccer. He was generous. When his father, a Miami taxi operator, wrecked his cab, he gave him $3,000 for a down payment on a new vehicle. He helped Ricky with his college tuition and would send his siblings plane tickets to visit him. He also is survived by his mother, Amenia.
______________
Cpl. Romulo J. Jimenez II
Age: 21 years oldHometown: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died: November 10, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Marines, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Incident: Killed during the U.S. assault on Fallujah.
______________
Staff Sgt. Ramon E. Gonzales Cordova
Age: 30Hometown: Davie, FL
Date of Death: 8/8/2005
Incident Location: Ramadi, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Staff Sgt.
Unit: 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Incident: Killed by small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi.
Ramon E. Gonzales Cordova served in the Marine Corps for 11 years and traveled the world. Family friend Michael Millstone remembers Gonzales proudly showing off his scrapbook. "He'd joke, saying, `Don't I look great in a uniform?'" Millstone said. Gonzales, 30, of Davie, Fla., was killed Aug. 8 by a sniper in Ramadi. He was based at Camp Pendleton. His sister, Blanca Gonzales, said she often reads the poem that helped her cope with her brother's death, especially the last lines: "And never, never be afraid to die / For I am waiting for you in the sky." Gonzales joined the Marine Corps in 1994 after graduating high school. "Ever since I can remember, he always wanted to be a soldier," said his sister. "I remember him playing with little soldier toys." He is survived by his wife, Joselyn, and 3-year-old son Sergio. He was finishing his second tour and his wife said he would always ask her for candy to give to Iraqi children. Gonzales spoke to his mother, sister and wife the day he died, just two months before his 31st birthday.
______________
Pfc. Christopher R. Cobb
Age: 19 years oldHometown: Brandenton, Florida, U.S.
Died: April 6, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Incident: Killed by enemy fire in Anbar province.
______________
Sgt. Adam L. Cann
Age: 23Hometown: Davie, FL
Date of Death: 1/5/2006
Incident Location: Ramadi, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Sgt.
Unit: Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp
Unit's Base: Camp Pendelton, CA
Incident: Killed by a suicide bomb attack on an Iraqi police recruitment center in Ar Ramadi.
______________
Pfc. Roland E. Calderonascenio
Age: 21Hometown: Miami, FL
Date of Death: 4/12/2006
Incident Location: Misiab, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Pfc.
Unit: 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Unit's Base: Fort Hood, Texas
Incident: Died of injuries sustained when a makeshift bomb exploded near his Humvee during combat operations in Misiab.
______________
Cpl. Theodore A. Bowling
Age: 25
Hometown: Casselberry, FL
Date of Death: 11/11/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Cpl.
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Camp Pendleton, CA
Incident: Killed during the U.S. assault on Fallujah.
Theodore Andrew Bowling couldn't wait to get home from Iraq to marry his girlfriend, Patricia Kirby, and start a career as a police officer. Bowling, who went by the name Andrew, spent hours on the phone with his fiancee planning the wedding. The two had been friends before he was first sent to Iraq, but when he returned home after his first tour, the two fell in love. "We just looked at each other different," Kirby said. "It just worked out." Bowling, 25, of Casselberry, Fla., died Nov. 11 in a hostile attack in Anbar province. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is also survived by his mother, Lena Perry. Bowling was just a few weeks from his return, and told his girlfriend she should get a plane ticket to meet him in California. His last words to Kirby were full of optimism. "He said, 'Don't worry, it'll be OK. I'll see you in a couple of weeks,'" she said. "That was it. He only had a minute to talk."
______________
Lance Cpl. Andrew Julian Aviles
Age: 18Hometown: Tampa, FL
Date of Death: 4/7/2003
Incident Location: Central Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division
Unit's Base: Tampa, Fla.
Incident: An enemy artillery round struck him just as the amphibious assault vehicle in which he was riding crossed a bridge over the Tigris River.
Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles had put off a full academic scholarship to Florida State University because he felt he had a moral obligation to serve, his family said. He had planned to study business. Aviles, 18, of Tampa, Fla., was killed April 7 when an enemy artillery round struck his vehicle. Aviles graduated in 2002 from T.R. Robinson High School, where as a senior he was class president, cheerleader and a member of the wrestling team. A National Honor Society member, he graduated third in his class. "This man had a phenomenal presence in the school. He was Mr. Everything," said Chuck Jaksec, who leads the school district's crisis intervention team.
______________
Captain Derek Argel
Age: 28Hometown: Lompoc, CA
Date of Death: 5/30/2005
Incident Location: Eastern Diyala province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Air Force
Rank: Captain
Unit: 23rd Special Tactics Squadron
Unit's Base: Hurlburt Field, FL
When he was in fifth grade, Derek Argel started showing up at high school water polo practices. He eventually grew to 6-foot-6, became the school's most valuable player and went on to play at the Air Force Academy. "He worked exceptionally hard. He never took anything for granted," athletic director Bob Lawrence said. Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif., was killed May 30 in a crash of his surveillance plane about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad. He was based at Hurlburt Field. Argel loved the water _ in addition to playing water polo, he worked as a lifeguard, fished and surfed. He kept fishing poles and surf boards in the garage with hopes of passing his hobbies on to his 11-month son, Logan. "He was very adventurous and outdoorsy," said his aunt, Carolyn Gentry, recalling how he used to trek through the woods with her son. "They loved to be out in nature and camp, and go out looking for critters and snakes." Though he was happiest spending time at the beach and playing with the family's two dogs, he felt God intended him to be in the military. "He was just a soldier by every means of the imagination" said his wife, Wendy.
Captain Derek Argel Memorial Page
______________
No comments:
Post a Comment