Freedom Remembered

Spc. Junot M. L. Cochilus, 34, of Charlotte, N.C., died May 2 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Cochilus was a combat engineer. He joined the Army in March 2010. After training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, he arrived at Fort Drum in July 2011 and deployed with his unit in October 2011. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the NATO 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, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

To be updated…

Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston, 29, of Eden, N.C., died April 26, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was a 2001 graduate of Morehead High School. Brandon had been in the Army since 2006, and was currently serving his third deployment. He was expected to come home later this year, between September and December. He attended West Carolina University and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2006. Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, he attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 2009 and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as a SF Communications Sergeant. His military education also includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Combatives Course Level 1, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat course. His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a third campaign star and the Combat Infantry Badge.

To be updated…

Born: January 14, 1976 in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
Died: February 28, 2012 in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Lt Cmdr Dale T. Taylor of Snow Hill, North Carolina was involved in an accident while serving on active duty in the United States Coast Guard.  Born January 14, 1976, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, to Larry and Judy Taylor. He graduated from Greene Central High School in 1994, and graduated Appalachian State University in 1998. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Coast Guard and ultimately served as a MH-65 pilot and instructor. Dale was recognized in the fleet for heroism and awarded Coast Guard Medal for rescue operations at sea, while stationed at the USCG Air Station Savannah, GA. Dale was initially assigned to the Aviation Training Center, Mobile Alabama with the Engineering Branch and was extended to serve as an instructor Pilot. Dale was an example of integrity and exhibited the peace that only accompanies a relationship with Jesus Christ. He was a model husband, inspirational father to his sons and selflessly dedicated to his community. Dale was a volunteer basketball coach and bible study group leader. Dale will be remembered for his integrity, love for Christ and love for people. Survivors include his wife Teresa Dawn, his sons Evan Dale and Emmet Joel of Mobile, AL, Mother Judy and Father Larry Taylor of Snow Hill, NC, sister Hope and her husband Jamie Stapleton of Silver Springs, MD. Dale’s wake will be held at 10:00am followed by an 11:00am memorial service at Cottage Hill Baptist Church on Monday, March 5. The US Coast Guard will have a memorial service on March 8, 10:00am at the Aviation Training Center, Mobile. He was 36.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia – 03/15/2012 – 1:00 PM

The above obituary is courtesy of the Press-Register.

To be updated…

Born: December 16, 1975 in Tennessee
Died: March 6, 2012 in Hope Mills, North Carolina

Chief Warrant Officer Two Edward D. Cantrell, 36, of Hope Mills, NC, formerly of Florida died while trying to rescue his two daughters, Isabella and Natalia, after their home caught fire during the night. Cantrell, Special Forces soldier, had served a combat deployment to Iraq and five to Afghanistan, returning from the last mission in August 2011. Among his many awards and decorations they include, four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, four Army Commendation Medals, 11 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with one star, Kosovo Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, six Overseas Service Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist’s Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He was also the recipient of the Bruce E. Price Leadership Award.

Cantrell and his daughters will be buried together at Arlington National Cemetery
Edward and Natalia Marie in Sec 60 Site 10004, and Isabella Louise in Sec 60 Site 10005

To anyone interested in making a donation to the Cantrell family:
Checks can be mailed to:
Special Forces Association Chapter 100
care of Duane Cantrell,
4214 Callery Knoll Court
Fayetteville, NC 28306

To be updated…

Born: April 18, 1979 in San Joaquin County, California
Died: December 12, 2011 in Wilmington, North Carolina

Gunnery Sgt. George L. Figone Jr of Hampstead, North Carolina, formerly of Stockton, California graduated in 1997 from Linden High School. Following graduation George entered the United States Marine Corps and became an infantry rifleman after boot camp. In June of 1998, he passed the reconnaissance indoctrination course and the basic reconnaissance course. He was deployed to Iraq twice and to Afghanistan. While on deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2003, he was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant. In 2011, George was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. His personal awards include a Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V Device, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, and four Good Conduct Medals. He served as a rifleman with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. He passed away suddenly at the Hanover Medical Center in North Carolina. He leaves behind his four brothers, Christopher Piro, Eric, Josh and Justin Figone; his three sisters, Mariah and Sierra Looney, and Brittany Figone; his loving Grandmother Margaret C. Rore; his loving aunts and uncles Mike and Debbra Figone, Ray Figone, John Titta, Yolanda and Troy Combs, Jim and Laura Rore, and Anne and Philip Martin; his nephew Caleb Figone. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers Raymond Figone Sr. and Dr. Walter J. Rore, and by his grandmother Doris Figone.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 10011

Lance Cpl. Christopher P. J. Levy, 21, of Ramseur, N.C., died Dec. 10 of wounds sustained Dec. 7 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Best known as Jacob to those who knew him, he is a 2009 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School. He was very proud of his American heritage within the Lumbee Tribe of American Indians.

Burial is Gilmore Memorial Park in Julian, North Carolina

To be updated…

Born: February 5, 1989
Died: December 1, 2011 at Fort Riley, Kansas

Pfc Michael D. Webb, 22, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 1, 2011. Michael was the son of Michael Dean Webb, Sr., of Bennettsville, SC, and Tina Linne Prescott of Supply, NC. He is also survived by his grandmother; Margie Prescott, one sister; Elizabeth Withrow and husband Travis, and nephew; Devyn Prescott and niece; Ryle Withrow, all of Supply, NC. Michael was a proud soldier in the United States Army. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Vistation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, December 7, 2011,
at Coble Ward-Smith Supply Chapel

Funeral services will be held:
11:00a.m. at Highest Praise Church
Shallotte, NC.

Burial information provided by Coble Ward-Smith Supply Chapel.

Spc. Calvin M. Pereda, 21, of Fayetteville, N.C., died Nov. 12, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Calvin is originally from Yigo and a few years ago relocated to North Carolina where he joined the Army right out of high school. He joined the Army in March 2010 and first came to Alaska in August 2010.

Guam Veterans Cemetery in Piti, Guam

To be updated…

Born: January 16, 1988
Died: November 14, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq

Spc. David E. Hickman of Greensboro, North Carolina died at age 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. He is a 2006 graduate of Northeast Guilford High School. An accomplished black belt, he trained for several years with Mike King, who runs the Greensboro Black Belt Academy. Deployed to Iraq at the end of May 2011, he was expected to be back stateside the first of December. David joined the Army in November 2009 and got his infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., before going to Fort Bragg for airborne school. His deployment to Iraq was his first. He was due home in December. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. He leaves his wife, Cali Kim Hickman, his parents, David Eugene and Veronica Hickman, a and a brother, Devon Hickman. Spc Hickman became the last American soldier to die in Iraq. The war in Iraq officially ended on December 15, 2011.

Burial is at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

To be updated…

Born: Sep. 24, 1985 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Died: October 29, 2011 Kabul, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Newman of Shelby, North Carolina died at age 26 in Kabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Medical Company A, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii. He leaves his wife, Amanda Jo Lynn Newman, a daughter, Anyca Miller, grandparents and guardians, Donn Newman Sr. and Earlene Newman, birth mother, Gina Strausser, brothers, James Brent Newman, Chad Davis and Derrick Davis, aunts, Teresa Gregory, Loretta Newman Roche, Donna Birch, uncles, Donn Newman II and David Patton.

Burial is at Cleveland Memorial Park in Shelby, North Carolina

To be updated…