Freedom Remembered

Spc. James R. Burnett Jr., 21, of Wichita, Kan.; died Nov. 16, 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, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. James is a graduate of Clearwater High School. James began his military career when he joined the Army Reserves when he graduated high school in 2009. He joined active duty about a year later. He completing basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. and arrived at Fort Wainwright in August 2010. He recently became engaged. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar.

To be updated…

Born: October 16, 1979, in Hays, Kansas
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kansas was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan. He died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. Bryan graduated from TMP-Marian High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1996. He deployed twice to Iraq, first in 2002 and again in 2003. In 2004 he deployed to Kosovo and graduated flight school in 2008. He leaves his wife Mary, a son, Braydon, his parents, Douglas and Cynthia, two brothers, Monte and Brandon, and a sister, Nicole Robles, among others.

Burial is at Pleasantview Cemetery in Palco, Kansas

To be updated..

Born: February 19, 1990 in Merriam, Kansas
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kansas graduated from Olathe South High School in 2008. In June of that same year he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and received his initial basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He completed Advanced Individual Training as a Medium Helicopter Repairman at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He worked at the Aviation Support Facility at New Center AirCenter, Olathe. First he was an aircraft mechanic and later he trained to become a Chinook door gunner. His unit was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in March of 2011. He died at age 21 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was one of 30 brave Americans killed when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. Spc Duncan served as a door gunner on the Chinook helicopter. He leaves his parents, Dale and Megan Duncan, and two brothers, Tanner Duncan and Calder Duncan. Tanner is serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Army
7th Battalion
158th Aviation Regiment
(General Support Aviation Battalion)
New Century, Kansas

Burial is at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – Sec P Site 2601

To be updated…

Born: October 31, 1986
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He joined the National Guard in 2004 and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 2007, serving a tour in Iraq in 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. His awards include, the Combat Action Badge, the Aviation Crewmember Badge (Basic), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9942

To be updated…

Born: November 23, 1991 in Topeka, Kansas
Died: August 3, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Pfc. Cody G. Baker of Holton, Kansas joined the United States Army in June 2010. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia he arrived at Fort Polk the following October. Cody deployed with his unit in November 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the NATO Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 19 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
30th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Polk, Louisiana

Burial is at Holton Cemetery in Holton, Kansas

To be updated…

Born: July 19, 1977
Died: June 12, 2011 in Killeen, Texas

Sgt. Bryan D. Beard, 34, of Constantinople, Kansas entered active-duty service in May 1997 as a petroleum supply specialist. He was assigned to 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, since February 2006. Sgt Beard deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2003 to July 2003, October 2006 to January 2008, and January 2009 to December 2009. His awards and decorations include, two Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Presidential Unit Citation Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three combat service stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Sevice Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Serice Ribbon and six Overseas Service Ribbons. He died June 12 from injuries in a motorcycle accident in Killeen, Texas. He leaves his mother, Terrysteen Woods, his father, Nobec Joplin, Jr, a son, Dominick Beard, a stepdaughter, Madison Henry, his brothers, Darnell Woods, Tyson Green, Steven Rogers, Reginald Joplin, and Fredrick Joplin, and a sister, Toni Joplin.

Leavenworth National Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: November 8, 1985
Died: May 26, 1011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall of Bel Aire, Kansas joined the United States Army in August 2005 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2008. His awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Air Assault Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 25 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Army
4th Battalion
101st Aviation Regiment
159th Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas – Sec 41 Site 698

To be updated…

Born: June 20, 1984 in Kansas
Died: January 5, 2011 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

Sgt. Eric M. Nettleton of Wichita, Kansas graduated from Wichita West High School in 2003 where he participated in football. He died at age 26 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan of wounds suffered in Dehjawz-e Hasanzay when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He leaves his wife, Ashley, his parents, Jim and Sandy Nettleton, a brother, Clayton, and two sisters, Jessica and Sarah.
Army
1st Squadron
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Vilseck, Germany

Burial is at Ascension Cemetery in Bel Aire, Kansas

To be updated…

Born: September 20, 1989
Died: October 24, 2010 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Spc. Thomas A. Moffitt of Wichita, Kansas graduated in 2008 from Northwest High School. Tom joined the Army in February 1, 2009, 55 years to the day that his own grandfather had also enlisted in 1954. After Thomas served a year in South Korea, he was eager to see some action. Being in the infantry was all he wanted to do. He arrived at Fort Campbell in June of 2010, where he soon deployed to Afghanistan, something he was prepared to do. His awards and decorations include, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Combat Infantryman Badge. He leaves his parents, John and Brenda Moffitt and his brother, Jake. He died at age 21 at Sarobi District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.
Army
2nd Battalion
506th Infantry
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia

To be updated…

Born: December 19, 1982
Died: October 22, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. WillSun M. Mock of Harper, Kansas was one of seven children, and the youngest son. He was best known as ‘Will’ to his family and friends, and later known as ‘Mock’ to his comrades. Sometime around Will’s second birthday, he moved with his family to Wichita where he began to learn the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After the family moved to Attica three years later, he was baptized in the Wellington Ward. As soon as he was old enough, Will participated by greeting other members as they arrived at the church. During his formative years, and by now living in Park City, he was beginning to show signs of becoming the man he would ultimately be. Respectful, caring and humble. His high regard for his family also came through when he spoke of them. Especially his parents, and siblings. This story can’t be told without mentioning the words, ‘Strength and Honor’. After all, these words were a large part of Will’s life. He had ‘Strength’ tattooed on one arm, and ‘Honor’ tattooed on the other and he lived these words in everything he did. When the events of September 11th occurred, the words rang out truer than ever for him and he joined the United States Army. Will believed that he could make a difference, and he did make a difference for so many orphans he befriended during his first tour of Iraq. Some of them even called him father. He was currently serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Purple Heart (after declining his first), the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Saervice Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon, NATO Ribbon (Kosovo), the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, and Valorus Unit. He leaves his parents, Michael Wayne Mock and Ann Elizabeth Reida Mock, four sisters, and two brothers. He died at age 23 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad.
Army
1st Battalion
26th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany

Burial is at Harper Cemetery in Harper, Kansas