Freedom Remembered

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

Born: March 2, 1986 in Mesa, Arizona
Died: April 29, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. Alexander J. Funcheon of Bel Aire, Kansas was fun loving, the life of the party and an adventurous kid with plans of serving his community and/or his country. He seriously considered becoming a firefighter for his community. What he actually did was to become a hero to a nation. Growing up, Alex attended Allison Middle School and Heights High School and explored his youth while  riding his bike on the streets of Bel Aire with friends. A typical teenager, Alex and his friends loved to play the usual pranks, like ringing doorbells before hiding. During his formative years in high school, Alex began seeking a better understanding of things of a spiritual nature. He sought a clear understanding of God and wasn’t intimidated to ask questions on the subject. After deciding how best to pursue a life plan, he joined the United States Army. He knew the dangers of enlisting during wartime, and according to his father he wasn’t the John Wayne type, but Alex was set in his decision to perform his obligations while serving in the military. As a military man, he visited the students at Bostic Elementary, who kind of adopted Alex while he was deployed. They sent him care packages, and in turn he sent them emails of his experience. They learned almost firsthand some of the real dangers of what it was like to serve during war time. In Iraq, he was getting ready for a break and had planned to spend it in Germany, but he also promised his Mom he’d be home soon. Alex leaves his parents, Karen and Bob, and a sister, Gloria among others. He died at age 21 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an Iranian made bomb detonated near his unit during combat operations. Also killed were Army Pfc. Brian A. Botello and Army Staff Sgt. Jay E. Martin.
Army
3rd Squadron
61st Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Kechi Cemetery in Park City, Kansas

Born: October 15, 1983 in Michigan
Died: September 29, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Justin A. Officer of Wichita, Kansas joined the Army in March of 2004 arriving at Fort Campbell in July of 2004. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge. Justin leaves his father, Timothy A. Officer and mother, Stacy Officer, his brother, Timothy and a sister, Kylea. He died at age 26 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
1st Squadron
75th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado

To be updated…

Born: October 24, 1974 in Valdosta, Georgia
Died: September 5, 2010 in Bagram, Afghanistan

Capt. Jason T. McMahon of Mulvane, Kansas joined the Army in November of 1996, gained his commission in 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in September 2008. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Accommodation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master EOD Badge, Parachutists Badge, and the Ranger Tab. Jason is survived by his wife, Jennifer, three daughters, Trinity, McKenzie, and Azlyn. McMahon, his father, Ronald McMahon, and mother, Sherry McMahon. He died at age 35 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire in Jalalabad.
Army
184th Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
52nd Ordnance Group
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Soldier Cemetery near Holton, Kansas

Born: December 13, 1983 in Harper, Kansas
Died: August 31, 2010 in Logar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Vinson B. Adkinson III of Duncan, Oklahoma grew up in Empire, and left in his junior year of high school to live with an aunt in Kansas before he graduated in 2003. He immediately entered into the military after graduating; reenlisting several times. ‘Trinity’ as he was known by family and friends, was serving his second tour in Afghanistan, having previously served three tours in Iraq. He married Veronica Stewart on June 17, 2005. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Good Conduct Medal (second award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral four), the NATO Medal, a Certificate of Achievement, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles, the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge – Marksman with Rifle. SSG Adkinson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He leaves his wife, Veronica, his father, Vinson Adkinson Jr, his sister, Mary Kay and his brother, Jacob. He died at age 26 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army
173rd Brigade Support Battalion
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Bamberg, Germany

Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma

To be updated…

Born: August 27, 1987
Died: August 1, 2008 in Asadabad, Afghanistan

Army Spc. William J. Mulvihill of Leavenworth, Kansas was originally from Northeast Minneapolis. At an early age, he moved to Leavenworth with his family where he was a graduate of Leavenworth High School. While there he participated in the Junior Guard and the Reserves Officers Training Corps. After graduating in 2005, Billy joined the Army, completing boot camp before leaving for Korea. He returned to Fort Hood and was then deployed to Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the NATO award and the Good Conduct medal. Billy leaves his father, John Mulvihill, his mother, Pam, and his siblings, Michael, Charlie and Shelby. He died at age 20 in Asadabad, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed were 2nd Lt. Michael R. Girdano, Pfc. David J. Badie and Pvt. Jair DeJesus Garcia. Billy was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, NATO award and the Good Conduct Award.
Army
Special Troops Battalion
3rd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – Sec P Site 16

Born: August 20, 1985
Died: June 24, 2007 in Landstuhl, Germany

Cpl. Eric C. Palmer of Maize, Kansas was better known as “Eeker” by his family and friends from high school. After graduating from Maize in 2004, he went on to join the Army the following September. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in December of 2004 and the Basic Airborne Course in March of 2005 at Fort Benning. He reported to the 82nd Abn. Div. in March 2005 and was assigned to 1st Bn., 505th PIR as a Rifleman. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Eric leaves his father, John Palmer, his mother, Dena K. Palmer and a brother, Travis. In a poem that Eric wrote during his senior year, one line stood out, ‘I no longer think like others, but think of others,’ which described Eric accurately according to his brother. Eric died at age 21 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small-arms fire June 21 in Bayji, Iraq. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart, among other awards and decorations.
Army
1st Battalion
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Maize Cemetery in Maize, Kansas

Born: August 17, 1965
Died: November 8, 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt 1st Class Clinton L. Wisdom of Atchison, Kansas possessed a determination to get things done and he devoted twenty years of himself to the military. He loved everything about it. Clinton participated in the invasion of Grenada in the 1980s and the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The soldiers of his unit knew they could count on him. While in Iraq, he asked his wife to have churches send clothing and toys to the Iraqi children, a request that was honored by the local churches. Clinton was devoted to God, loved his family and was an avid fisherman. He leaves his wife, a daughter and two stepchildren. He was killed at age 39 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy in Baghdad. Also killed was Army Spc. Don A. Clary.
Army
National Guard
2nd Battalion
130th Field Artillery
Horton, Kansas

Burial is at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Saint Joseph, Missouri