Freedom Remembered

Born: September 28, 1971 in Los Angeles, California
Died: October 23, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas

Capt. Shawn Patrick T. Charles, 40, of  Hickory, N.C., died Oct. 23 in San Antonio, Texas, from a non-combat illness. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He entered active duty service in January 2009 and deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in August 2011. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Burial is at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Morganton, North Carolina

To be updated…

Born: November 21, 1988
Died: September 15, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher, 22, of Asheville, N.C., died Sept. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2007, was on his second deployment to Afghanistan serving as an infantryman. His military awards and decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO Medal ISAF-Afghanistan.

Burial is at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina – Section 2E Site 31

To be updated…

Born: July 12, 1985 in Pinehurst, North Carolina
Died: September 5, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii

SSG Stephen M Evans formerly of West End, N.C., graduated from Pinecrest High School in 2003. He joined the United States Army in 2005 and served as a combat medic and was a combat veteran serving two tours in Iraq. He ended his career at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI as a shift leader in the Emergency Department. Stephen made a friend for life with everyone he came in contact with and leaves behind many friends and soldiers who remember him for his charismatic energy, infectious smile and happy-go-lucky attitude. He was preceded into death by his beloved grandfather, James L. “Pepa” Williams, Jr., and aunt, Kelly Carroll. Stephen leaves his parents, Raymond and Sherri Evans, two brothers, Justin and Brandon Evans, and his soul mate, Melissa Bennett. He died at age 26 at his home in Honolulu.

Burial is at Bensalem Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Eagle Springs, North Carolina

The above is from his obituary.

Born: February 28 1984 Greensboro, North Carolina
Died: August 25 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Colby L. Richmond of Providence, N.C., died at age 28 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 546th Transportation Company, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C. He joined the Army in 2006 and was assigned to the 546th Transportation Company in March 2010. He previously served at Fort Hood, Texas; Camp Casey, Korea; and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Drivers Badge. Colby is the son of Cynthia Jeffries Richmond and the late Curtis Lee Richmond. He leaves his wife, Shandra, a son, Kylei Markel, his mother, Cynthia Jeffries Richmond.

Burial is ta God’s Blessing Center Cemetery in Milton, North Carolina

To be updated…

Born: January 8, 1990
Died: August 11, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, North Carolina and Bradenton, Florida joined the Army in September 2009 serving as an infantryman. After completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia he came to Fort Drum in January 2010. Lay deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He died Aug. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Stefenie and Art Hernandez, his father and stepmother, Patrick L. and Taneah Lay, siblings, Nikki Lay, Colby Schmutz, Braelyn Lay, and Blakely Lay among others.
Army
1st Battalion,
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York

Burial is at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida – Sec 7 Site 78

To be updated…

Born: September 16, 1974 in Oahu, Hawaii
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C., 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 November of 1996. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in February, 1997, he reported to service school training at Dam Neck, Virginia. After his initial service school training, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training in Coronado, California. After he graduated BUD/S in February of 1998, he reported to a West Coast based SEAL Team where he served until May, 2004. He then reported to the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Detachment at Key West, Florida and departed in February, 2006. Petty Officer Campbell reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in February, 2006. His awards include, the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor, Joint Service Achievement Commendation with “V” device for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense, Global War on Terrorism Service/Expeditionary Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9929

To be updated…

Born: September 21, 1978
Died: August 1, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr of Wilson, North Carolina died at age 32 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 20, 2002 and served two tours in Iraq before deploying to Afghanistan. His awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment with Triple Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO Medal ISAF-Afghanistan.

Burial is at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, North Carolina -

To be updated…

Born: July 18, 1989
Died: July 15, 2011 in Basra, Iraq

Spc. Daniel L. Elliott of Youngsville, North Carolina died at age 21 in Basra, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 290th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, Cary, N.C. He leaves his wife, Trisha, his parents, Patti Elliott and Ed Elliott, and a brother, Brad Elliott.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9723

To be updated…

Born: July 7, 1985
Died: June 16, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Mark A. Bradley, of Clayton, North Carolina, formerly of Cuba, New York joined the Marine Corps in January of 2004 and was promoted to sergeant on January 2008. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2005 to September 2005 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and again with 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment in July 2006 to February 2007. He also deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from May 2009 until December 2009, to Haiti with 3/2 from January 2010 to March 2010 and most recently in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011. His awards include, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Humanitarian Service Medal. He died at age 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Marines
3rd Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Bay Pines, Florida

To be updated…

Born: May 23, 1990 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Died: June 9, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. O’Brien of Stanley, North Carolina died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Nic graduated in 2008 from East Gaston High School where he was a centerfielder for the baseball team, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year his Junior and Senior years. He was offered college scholarships to continue playing, but he had already decided to join the United States Marine Corps. Nic entered active duty in late 2009 and shipped to Afghanistan in March 2011. He leaves his parents, Richard O’Brien, Jr. and Tammy O’Brien, his sister, Haley O’Brien, and his girlfriend, Hayley Black.

“When Nic was first stationed at Camp Pendleton he met and quickly made friends with a fellow North Carolinian, Josh Cawthorn of Asheville.
Cawthorn and O’Brien became fire teammates in Afghanistan, meaning they spent most of every day and night side by side. Cawthorn was severely injured in the roadside blast that killed O’Brien on Thursday.”

In lieu of sending flowers for their son’s funeral, the O’Brien family has asked that friends and loved ones honor him by sending flowers or monetary donations to support Cawthorn in his recovery. A special account has been set up for that through the O’Briens’ church in Charlotte.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the account can send donations to:
Shady Brook Baptist Church
2940 Belmeade Drive
Charlotte NC, 28214

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9520

To be updated…