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…
Born: December 3, 1979 in Hamburg, Iowa
Died: April 11, 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan
Sgt. Brent M. Maher of Council Bluffs, Iowa died at age 31 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, Iowa National Guard, Shenandoah, Iowa. Brent graduated from Farragut High School in 1998. He began his military career when he enlisted in the Navy after graduation, serving until 2005. In May of 2007 he joined the Iowa National Guard. While serving in the Guard he attended Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. In November 2010 his unit arrived in Afghanistan.
Burial is at Garner Cemetery in Council Bluffs, Iowa
To be updated…
Born: September 21, 1984 in Iowa City, Iowa
Died: January 29, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Spc. Shawn A. Muhr of Coon Rapids, Iowa enlisted the United States Army in January of 2005 and served as a heavy wheel vehicle driver. He deployed in October of 2010. His past duty assignments include the 46th Transportation Company, Camp Stanley, Korea and the 126th Medium Truck Company, 330th Movement Control Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade. He had deployed to Kuwait from July 2007 through October 2008. His awards and decorations include, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Muhr was posthumously awarded, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He leaves his wife, Winifred, a stepson, Devin Olchawa, his father, David Muhr, his mother, Shirley Land, a brother, Aaron Muhr, sisters Dee Scheuermann, Vennessa Warneka and Erica Muhr-Burris. He died at age 26 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Army
264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
82nd Sustainment Brigade
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Burial is at Union Township Cemetery in Coon Rapids, Iowa
To be updated…
Born: August 11, 1971 in Illinois
Died: September 21, 2010 in Zabul, Afghanistan
Lt Col. Robert F. Baldwin of Eliza Township, Illinois is a 1989 graduate of Sherrard High School, and a 1993 graduate of Western Illinois University. He entered the Army in February of 1994 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January of 2007. He was an Aviation Liaison Officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company. His Awards and Decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge. He leaves his wife, Danielle, two daughters Rachel and Meaghan, two sons Keegan and Patrick, and his parents Gary and Cheryl Baldwin. He died in a helicopter crash at age 39 during combat operations in Zabul province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was posthumously promoted to Lt. Col.
Army
Brigade Headquarters
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9181
Born: August 17, 1983 in Keokuk, Iowa
Died: February 13, 2005 in Iraq
Sgt Dakotah L. Gooding of Des Moines, Iowa grew up in Keokuk until he moved with his mother to Des Moines when he was about sixteen years old. He attended Scavo Alternative School and Lincoln High School. Known by many as, Koty, he enlisted in the United States Army at age 17. It was something he had wanted to do since he was five years old. His first assignment was to served in Korea before being deployed to Iraq. He leaves his wife, Angela, his mother, Judith Gooding, his father, Kenneth Mason and two sisters, Jessica and Brandi. He killed at age 21 when the vehicle in which he was riding overturned in Balad, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Chad W. Lake and Sgt. Rene Knox Jr. Koty had been in Iraq less than three weeks.
Army
5th Squadron
7th Cavalry
3d Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia
Burial is at Effingham Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Georgia
Born: June 27, 1979 in Fort Dodge, Iowa
Died: July 2, 2010 at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland
Capt David A. Wisniewski of Moville, Iowa, is the son of Chet and Beverly Wisniewski. Academically minded and a gifted athlete, he graduated in 1998 from Woodbury Central High School. He then entered the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. In December of 2008 he completed training at the Advanced Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base. David was the pilot of a Air Force Black Hawk Helicopter and had four deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan. David had logged more than 1,500 flight hours, flown 289 combat hours and is credited with saving numerous lives, including several during his most recent deployment to Afghanistan, having rescued 240 soldiers. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. David had been selected to become an instructor at the Advanced Weapons School when his most recent tour was up. He was serving his fifth tour of duty in Afghanistan and was piloting a Black Hawk helicopter on a rescue mission when it was shot down. He died at age 31 at Bethesda Naval Hospital of wounds sustained June 9 in a helicopter crash near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, two brothers, Craig and Matthew, and his fiancée, Melissa Sandberg.
Air Force
66th Rescue Squadron
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9178
Born: April 15, 1981 in Jefferson City, Missouri
Died: June 15, 2010 in Baquah, Iraq
Spc. Christopher W. Opat of Cresco, Iowa grew up on a farm near Lime Springs the son of Leslie and Mary Goodlaxson Opat. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at Lourdes, Iowa. Chris moved with his family to the Lime Springs, Cresco area when he was about a year after his birth. He attended Notre Dame Grade school and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000. He then earned an Associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College. He was always a hard worker and wasn’t afraid to break a sweat, even as a child. Chris enlisted in the United States Army in 2003, to serve his country and to get money for school. He completed his basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was previously stationed at Babenhausen, Germany. Chris had planned to make a career in the Army. Chris enjoyed fishing with his grandfather and was an avid Hawkeye fan who loved to watch both the Hawkeyes play football and basketball. He also enjoyed cooking and liked to create his own recipes. He was a gentle person with an adventurous spirit. His civilian and military education include, a high school diploma, Military Occupational Specialty 91D- Power Generation Equipment Repairer qualification course, Combatives Level I (2008), and Combat Lifesavers Course. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Good Conduct Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He leaves his parents, his sisters, Anita, and Melissa, his brothers, Leslie, Phillip and Jason. Chris died at age 29 in Baquah, Iraq of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Army
1st Squadron
14th Cavalry Regiment
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Burial is at Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Elma, Iowa
Born: November 4, 1982 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Died: August 31, 2007 in Landstuhl, Germany
Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was a graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School and was known as an upbeat, rabble-rousing, ball of fire nicknamed Gilmoe. He joined the Army right out of high school in hopes of getting a college education. His dream was to earn a degree and support his family. Kevin was married on Dec 30 2005 and he and his wife were living in Germany. He was currently on his second deployment in Iraq. He was an independent person who always would look you straight in the eye when communicating. Kevin was preceded in death by his two grandfathers, Leo Unash and Allan Gilbertson. He is the son of Keeley Peters and Don Gilbertson. He also leaves, his wife, Nina and two children. He died at age 24 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations August 29 in Ramadi, Iraq.
Army
1st Battalion
77th Armor Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Scheweinfurt, Germany
Burial is at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Born on Nov. 3, 1990 in Des Moines, Iowa
Died on May 7, 2010 in Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis of Perry, Iowa, was a 2009 Perry High School graduate. He had two dreams when he was growing up. One had to do with his love of the Green Bay Packers football team. He wanted to follow in Brett Favre’s footsteps. But his other dream prevailed, and that was to become a Marine. From an early age Joshua showed he cared about others, a humble leader who was steady and rarely got upset. As a lineman on the football team he was known for watching out for the entire team. He quickly took direction from the coaches and was able to push the rest of the team to do their best. Joshua enlisted in the Marines in March of 2009 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010 and was promoted to Lance Cpl. on May 1. A week later Joshua and his unit came under heavy enemy action and true to his life long commitment to watching out for his friends, even after he was shot, Joshua fought back with heavy machine gun fire. He died as a result of his injuries. Joshua lived his life according to the motto tattooed on his chest, “Death Before Dishonor.” His father Dave and stepmother Patti; his mother Beverly; a brother and two sisters survive him.
Joshua was buried in The Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery near Adel, Iowa.
Born on Mar. 2, 1957 in Marksville, LA
Died on Apr. 22, 2010 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan
John was raised and educated in Marksville and in July of 1975, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served for ten years, stationed in Europe, Africa and southwest Asia and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant on June 25, 1985. The next day John joined the Army reserves. The following autumn he married his wife Lori and together they raised five children. As a civilian John was employed as a supervisor for AMSA in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for over 28 years. He was highly active in in his community and church, teaching and guiding others in their lives. John was a great mentor and disciplinarian, and well respected for his opinions and guidance. Tough and direct, he loved to go hunting and fishing and you were welcome to tag along, as long as you baited your own hooks. The United States flag was important to John. He was known to give new flags to neighbors who were flying faded ones. In 2007 John was promoted to Command Sergeant Major and assigned to the 649th Regional Support Group, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He deployed to Afghanistan along with 50 other soldiers in August of 2009 to provide management and support to other troops there. It was his tenth over seas deployment. At Christmas time, the Reinbeck Iowa Lion’s Club sent care packages to John and his troops. As a thank you, John sent them a United States flag that had flown over the base on Christmas Day. John died of a heart attack after leading soldiers in physical training in Afghanistan at the age of 53 years. He had served his flag and country for 31 of those years. His military decorations include, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, The meritorious Service medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Ribbon with bronze star, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on terrorism Expeditionary medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Marine Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver star, the NATO international Security Assistance Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation and various other ribbons.
Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein, Iowa.