Freedom Remembered

Born: April 30, 1985 in Canton, Ohio
Died: August 6, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Daniel J. Patron of Canton, Ohio died at age 26 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dan was serving his third tour of duty, having served deployments in Iraq in 2005 and 2009.

Burial is at Calvary Cemetery in Massillon, Ohio

To be updated…

Born: April 10, 1985
Died: July 31, 2011 in Herat, Afghanistan

Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler of Brecksville, Ohio is a 2003 graduate of Broadview Heights High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps the following September. Dennis was currently deployed to Afghanistan. He previously served two combat tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2006 and is the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V,” both earned for his service in Iraq. He died at age 26 while supporting combat operations in Herat province, Afghanistan.
In August 2011 the newly replaced Old Brooklyn Bridge in Brecksville was dedicated in honor of Sgt Dennis Kancler. The Sgt’s son, Jack Ryan Kancler, cut the ribbon at the Old Royalton Road bridge alongside his grandfather, Dennis A. Kancler, County Executive Ed FitzGerald, Mayor Jerry N. Hruby and others.
Marines
2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion
Marine Special Operations Regiment
Special Operations Command
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio – Sec 12 Site 1761

To be updated…

Born: December 6, 1985 in Lima, Ohio
Died: June 25, 2011 at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina

SSgt. Jamal T. Clay of Elida, Ohio graduated in 2004 from Elida High School, where he participated in track, basketball and football. Jamal joined the United States Army in early 2004 and served as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic from 2005 to 2009. He then served as a recovery vehicle supervisor from 2010 to 2011. He was deployed to Iraq from August 10, 2006 to October 21, 2007, and again from December 5, 2008, to November 20, 2009, where he served as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic. During the second deployment, he was the noncommissioned officer responsible for vehicle maintenance at Forward Operating Base Hammer. His military training include, basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Prior to being assigned to the Loyalty Battalion, he attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His awards and decorations include, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (twice), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with a campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon. He had also received the Parachutist Badge and the Drivers Mechanic Badge. He died at age 25 at Womack Army Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina following a parachute malfunction during a routine training exercise. He leaves his wife, Jasmine Taylor, his mother, Georgetta Jennings, his father and stepmother, Henry M. Clay, Jr and Vivian Kaye, a daughter, Janye Clay, a stepson, Jamier Davis, five brothers, Demetrius Clay, Antonieo Clay, David Smith, Anthony Hutchins and Aaron Hutchins, and a sister, Rochelle Clay and maternal grandmother, Josephine Jennings. Jamal was a member of Philippian Missionary Baptist Church.
Army
Company G
1st Battalion
319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima, Ohio

Born: May 25, 1986 in Periera, Colombia
Died: June20, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez, 25, of Englewood, Ohio, died June 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan. He joined the Army in August 2010 as an infantry mortarman. This was his first deployment. He deployed to Afghanistan with 4-4 Cavalry in February 2011, and had been awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Burial is at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Ohio – Sec 30 Lot 120 Site 4

To be updated…

Born: April 14, 1990
Died: June 12, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Joshua B. McDaniels of Dublin, Ohio died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Joshua grew up in London, Ohio, Josh attended London High School where he wrestled and served as Captain on the 2007 football team. He joined the Marine Corps in in the fall of 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011. His awards include, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9624

To be updated…

Born: June 6, 1984 in Lowell, Massachusetts
Died: June 6, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq

Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr of Middletown, Ohio is a 2003 graduate of Salem High School in New Hampshire. He joined the United States Army in October of 2009 serving as a field artillery tactical data systems operator. His awards include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of specialist. Mike died on his 27th birthday in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire. Also killed were Army Pfc. Michael C. Olivieri of Chicago, Ill.; Spc Christopher B. Fishbeck of Victorville, Calif., and Emilio J. Campo Jr. of Madelia, MN. He leaves his wife, Samantha, two children, Hailee and Michael, his parents, Michael Sr. and Patti Cook, a brother Lucas, and a sister Kimberly.
Army
1st Battalion
7th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas

Burial is at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, Massachusetts – Sec 10 Row E Site 240

To be updated…

Born: March 6, 1991 in Altamonte Springs, Florida
Died: June 6, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq

Spc Robert P. Hartwick of Rockbridge, Ohio graduated from Logan High School in 2009. He joined the Army in June 2009 and was serving as a combat medic. He died at age 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire. He leaves his parents, Robert A. and Linda K. Hartwick, and two sisters, Haley Russell and Hannah Hartwick.
Army
1st Battalion
7th Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas

Laurel Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: December 21, 1987
Died: June 3, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Paul W. Zanowick II of Miamisburg, Ohio, died at age 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. ‘Rocky’ was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. He enlisted in the United States Marines in January of 2008 and was serving his second deployment. He served as an anti-tank missile man. His awards include, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Miamisburg Catholic Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio

to be updated…

Born: December 21, 1987 in Westerville, Ohio
Died: May 28, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Peter J. Clore of New Philadelphia, Ohio attended Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School graduating in 2006. After high school, he studied for a time at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus and later joined the United States Marine Corps. Peter was a dedicated volunteer at his parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia. He frequently was an altar server at funerals and was active in the youth ministry. His senior year, he won the Bishop Herrmann Service Award for outstanding service to school and community and was recognized as a church usher, Eucharistic minister, teen choir member and vacation Bible school instructor. He volunteered with the Special Olympics and at Central Catholic earned a district championship in wrestling at 112 pounds. He died at age 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, Clifford R. and Christine Hanigan Clore, two brothers, George and John, and a sister, Sarah.
Army
3rd Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Calvary Cemetery in New Philadelphia, Ohio

To be updated…

Born: January 21, 1989
Died: May 28, 2011 in Haji Ruf, Afghanistan

Spc. Adam S. Hamilton of Kent, Ohio graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 2007 and joined the United States Army in March of 2009. Among his awards are, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 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, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Bar rifle expert and the Overseas Service Bar. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and NATO medal. He died at age 22 in Haji Ruf, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Burial is at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent, Ohio

To be updated…