Freedom Remembered

MSgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He is a 1990 graduate of Centerville High School, joining the Marines soon after. MSgt Riddick had served three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan and this was to be his last tour. His cousin, 2nd Lt. Leonard Cowherd III was killed in 2004. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations. His awards include, six Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, seven Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

To be updated…

Cpl. Zachary C. Reiff, 22, of Preston, Iowa, died Nov. 21 of wounds suffered Nov. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Zach graduated in 2007 from Preston High School in a class of 34 seniors. While there he played football, wrestled and ran track. He was currently serving his second tour to Afghanistan since enlisting in the Marine Corps Dec. 9, 2008. His 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.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston, Iowa with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

To be updated…

Born: July 1, 1976 in Osage, Iowa
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July, 1995. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in September, 1995. Petty Officer 1st Class Tumilson completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in April, 2002. He served in three West Coast based Special Warfare Units from October, 2002 to August, 2009. He served in two East Coast based Special Warfare Units from August, 2009 to August, 2011. His awards include, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy ‘E’ Ribbon (3), Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4) Rifle Expert Medal, and Pistol Expert Medal.

Burial is at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, Iowa

To be updated…

Born: February 26, 1972 Anamosa, Iowa
Died: July 9, 2011 in Panjshir, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a 1990 graduate of Lisbon High School and enlisted in the Army in July 1990 and joined the Iowa Army National Guard in April 1995. Pasker was serving as an Electronic Maintenance Supervisor during his current deployment. He previously deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004-2005. He was expected to return home within a couple of weeks. He died at age 39 in Panjshir province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He leaves his wife, Erica, his parents, David and Mary, his sisters, Christine and Rebecca and a brother, Andrew.
Army
334th Brigade Support Battalion
2nd Brigade Combat Team
34th Infantry Division
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids

To be updated…

Born: January 14, 1969 in Keokuk, Iowa
Died: June 28 2011 in Washington County, Iowa

Sgt Robert W Briggs of Hillsboro, Iowa, formerly of Keokuk, Iowa was employed by the State of Iowa Department of Transportation from November 1999 to April 2005. He served with the National Guard 224th Combat Engineers Co. C in Keokuk and Mt. Pleasant from September 1991 to December 2007 when he was retired due to injuries he sustained while serving in Ramadi, Iraq. Bob enjoyed staying active by hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing and helping other veterans and their families. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, meeting new people and experiencing new challenges. He was in the first GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans) class in Riverside, IA, a member of the VFW Post 1797, American Legion Post 94, an advocate for the Wounded Warrior Project and a life time member of AM Vets. He was also the Vice President of English River Outfitters in Washington, IA, an organization “Designed by Veterans for Veterans” that offer a safe outdoor experience with other veterans to help promote healing and closure all at no cost to the veterans. Bob was very passionate about helping other veterans and their families. He and his wife spent many hours and traveled extensively to bring about the necessary changes to legislation on both the local and federal level in support of veterans and both were instrumental in the development of the recently passed “Caregiver Bill” and the passing of the “Iowa Injured Veterans Grant” of which he was very proud of. Bob was loved by many and has touched every person he met, never meeting a stranger and always offering his love and support to others. Bob was also extremely proud of his Native American heritage. He died at age 42 from injuries received on April 16, 2005 for which he received the Purple Heart Award, while serving his country in Iraq. He leaves his wife, Michelle, their children, Ashlea and Cody his parents, Bob and Sandra Steele Briggs, his sister, Brenda and her husband Terry Best.

Burial is at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa -

The above is from his obituary.

Born: February 1, 1984 in Omaha, Nebraska
Died: June 29, 2011 in Badrah, Iraq

Capt. Matthew G. Nielson of Jefferson, Iowa is a 2008 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa where he was in the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. He received his commission in May 2008 as an armor officer and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, since November 2010. He was deployed in support of Operation New Dawn. His awards and decorations include an Army Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Air Assault Badge. Also killed were, Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29, of Wheeling, W.Va., and Spc. Robert G. Tenney Jr., 29, of Warner Robins, Ga. He died at age 27 in Badrah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.
Army
2nd Squadron
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa – Sec 5 Site 136

To be updated…

Born: April 30, 1983, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died: May 26, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski of Ottumwa, Iowa is a 2001 graduate of Ottumwa High School. He joined the United States Air Force in January 2003 where he served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. He was currently serving his fourth tour of duty overseas. He died at age 28 in the Shorabak district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed was, Tech. Sgt. Kristoffer M. Solesbee. He leaves his wife, Christina, currently stationed in Germany, his mother and stepfather, Mary Ellen and Joe Winston, two sisters, Jennifer and Nicole, his brother, Thomas, two stepsisters, Lisa Marie and Trazon McMullen, two stepbrothers, Jo-Jo Winston, and Chad Winston.
Air Force
52nd Civil Engineer Squadron
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

Burial is at Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa, Iowa

To be updated…

Born: October 23, 1987 in Storm Lake, Iowa
Died: March 4, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland

Sgt. Adam D. Craig of Cherokee, Iowa graduated in 2006 from Washington High School. He enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry in Le Mars, Iowa, in December of 2004. He had been deployed to Afghanistan prior to being diagnosed with cancer. He leaves his wife, Hailey, his mother, Pam Kolpin Craig, his father, Dan Craig, a sister, Abigail, half sisters, Brianna and Madison Craig, among others. He died at age 23 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland following a courageous battle with cancer with his family by his side.
Army
1st Squadron
113th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
34th Infantry Division
Sioux City, Iowa

Burial is at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee, Iowa

Born: June 30, 1978 in Manning Iowa
Died: April 23, 2011 in Kapisa, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. James A. Justice of Grimes, Iowa grew up in Manilla and is a 1997 graduate of Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla High School where he played on the football team as a receiver. James enjoyed competing in the annual festival at horseshoes and handing out with his friends. He and his best friend, Jason Erb, spent a great deal of time together, and both set out for serving in the military after graduation. James opted for the Army while Jason chose the Air Force. James enlisted as an Infantryman completing his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia in May of 1999. He previously deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring in 2001, the Multinational Force Observer peacekeeping mission in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt from 2003-2004, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006. Prior to his mobilization, he was employed full-time by the Iowa National Guard at Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa. In keeping with Air Force tradition, best friend, Jason, who received his pilot’s wings, broke them in half, giving half to his best friend, James. When Jason was married, unable to attend, James served as his honorary best man while serving in Iraq. When James married, Jason served his best friend as his best man. James died at age 32 at Kapisa province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was killed while trying to rescue the crew of a helicopter that crashed in eastern Afghanistan. After getting the news of James’ death, Jason is flew back from his deployment in South Korea to be at his best friends memorial and reunite the two pieces of the pilot’s wings. He leaves his wife, Amanda, his daughter, Caydence, his parents, Larry and Lillian Justice, a brother, Kenneth and two sisters Denise and Christina.
Army
National Guard
1st Squadron
113th Cavalry Regiment
Le Mars, Iowa

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9617

To be updated…

Born: September 3, 1989 in Waterloo, Iowa
Died: April 13, 2011 in Laghman, Afghanistan

Spc. Donald L. Nichols of Shell Rock, Iowa, died at age 21 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, Waterloo, Iowa. Don graduated from Waverly High School in 2009. He leaves his father and mother, Jeff and Jeanie Nichols, his mother and father, Becky and Roger Poock, his fiancé, Chelsey Bliss, three brothers, Joseph Nichols, who is currently a combat engineer with the Army Reserves stationed in Afghanistan, Nicholas Nichols, Billy Catone, and a stepbrother, John Poock, two stepsisters, Tammy Poock and Pamela Poock.

Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa

To be updated…