Freedom Remembered

Born: November 26, 1979 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Died: March 16, 2011 in Logar province, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Travis M. Tompkins of Lawton, Oklahoma is a 1999 graduate of MacArthur High School. He joined the United States Army in January of 2000. His previous duty stations included Fort Sill at Lawton, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Carson, Colorado and the Allied Joint Force Command in Brunssum, the Netherlands. He was previously deployed to Saudi Arabia from September of 2001 until March of 2002. He arrived at Fort Polk in June of 2009 and deployed with his unit in October. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the NATO Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (4), three Army Good Conduct Medal (3), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge and the Basic Marksman Qualification Badge. He died at age 31 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained on March 15, when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade. He leaves his wife, Candice and two children, Madison and Gianna, his parents Leland and Vickie Tompkins, and a sister Jenny Meek, among others.
Army
Brigade Special Troops Battalion
4th Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Polk, Louisiana

Burial is at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma – Sec 3 Site 1083

To be updated…

Born: September 12, 1984 in Stockton, California
Died: November 4, 2010 in Mohammad Agha, Afghanistan

Sgt. Jason J. McCluskey of McAlester, Oklahoma is a 2004 graduate of McAlester High School where he enjoyed wrestling and football. As a wrestler on the wrestling team, he went to State multiple times while in high school. Known best as ‘Mick’ he enlisted in the United States Army in April of 2006 and though his family missed him back home, he insisted that this is what he wanted to do. He loved his job and had expressed to others that he was going to re-enlist, possibly making a career of the military. He was last home in mid summer of 2010, and was expected back stateside by the end of the year. He leaves his son, Landen, his mother, Delores Olivares and her husband Ray, his father, Jimmy McCluskey, a brother, Joshua Stambaugh, and his stepfather, Charlie Stambaugh. He died at age 26 at Zarghun Shahr, Mohammad Agha district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.
Army
27th Engineer Battalion
20th Engineer Brigade
XVIII Airborne Corps
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Tannehill Cemetery in McAlester, Oklahoma

To be updated…

Born: August 21, 1985
Died: September 06, 2007 in Albu Hyatt, Iraq

Cpl. Bryan J. Scripsick of Wayne, Oklahoma is a 2004 graduate of Pauls Valley High School where he played safety and wide receiver on the football team. He also participated in wrestling. He hoped to someday play college ball. But he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps instead just after his nineteenth birthday in 2004. He deployed to Iraq in March 2007. He leaves his parents, John and Jan Scripsick, a brother, Brett Scripsick. He was posthumously awarded, the Purple Heart and a Certificate of Honorable Service from the secretary of the Navy. He died at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Albu Hyatt, Iraq. He was just three weeks away from coming home from Iraq. Also killed were Cpl. Christopher L. Poole Jr., Staff Sgt. John C. Stock and Sgt. Michael J. Yarbrough
Marines
3rd Assault amphibian Battalion
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Born: August 20, 1971
Died: March 23, 2003 in An Nasiriyah, Iraq

1st Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr of Tonopah, Nevada graduated from Tonopah High School in 1989. Fred played on the varsity basketball and football teams at school, and the basketball team made the state finals both years that the shy 6 and a half foot center played. Growing up, he learned to work hard and fend for himself. He had moved with his father and stepmother his junior year of school. When his father moved away to another job, Fred stayed to complete school. He lived with several families during this time, and proved to be a hard worker and independent. He worked most any job he could to earn money, holding positions in construction, and working as a waiter, a dishwasher and a cook. He enlisted in the Marines and enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Oregon State University in 1997 to become an officer. He played on a basketball team for U.S. Navy reservists. He majored in anthropology and graduated in 2001. Fred leaves his wife, Rochelle, a daughter, Taylor, a brother and a sister. He was killed at age 31 in action near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Fred was Nevada’s first known casualty in the war with Iraq.
Marines
Headquarters Battery
1st Battalion
10th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 7861

Born: August 20, 1980 in Anniston, Alabama
Died: March 10, 2008 in Iraq

Capt. Torre R. Mallard of Oklahoma grew up throughout the United States and Europe, due to his father’s military service. He attended Salmen High School in Slidell Louisiana his senior year, graduating in 1998. Torre received his nomination for West Point from the state of Louisiana and graduated with a degree in Computer Science and he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in June of 2002. while he was at West Point, he was a member of the football and boxing teams. Torre was deployed to Iraq for his first combat duty in March of 2003. He was promoted to Captain in 2005, where he assumed the duties of Battalion S-1 Administrative Officer. In April of 2007, he was selected for the Company Commander of Fox Troop. In November of 2007, he redeployed back to Iraq for a second tour. His Awards and Declarations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart (Posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), Army Accommodation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Medal, Combat Action Badge and Parachutists Badge. He was posthumously awarded, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart. He leaves his wife, Bonita, two sons, Torre Jr, and Joshua, his parents, Mose and Robin Mallard and a brother, Terrence. His father is a well-respected military instructor in Spotsylvania County and was proud his son had followed him into the military. Torre died at age 27 in Balad Ruz, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Spc. Donald A. Burkett and Sgt. Phillip R. Anderson.
Army
2nd Squadron
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, New York – Sec XXXVI Site C-097D

Born: August 17, 1981 in Abilene, Texas
Died: March 24, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake of Enid, Oklahoma is a 2000 graduate of Oklahoma Bible Academy. He married Kelli Short in 2004 and the couple had a son, Gage, in 2006. Upon joining the Army, his first assignment was to the ‘Old Guard’ unit at Fort McNair in Arlington, Virginia. He marched in the Inaugural parade for President Bush in 2001 and was in the Old Guard when the Pentagon was attacked on 9-11. He was immediately called upon to clear the Pentagon after the attack. Chris felt at ease about a second deployment to Iraq and felt more at peace than he had been his whole life. He was 100 percent sure the US forces should be there and he spoke of the thanks the Iraqi people for their efforts. As a Squad leader, he was in command of four or five others who went on street patrols in Baghdad. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq and was due to come home for 18 days in July for a mid tour break. For leisure activities, he enjoyed soccer, boating, skiing, music and spending time with family and friends. He died at age 24 in Baghdad from wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Pfc. George Delgado, Pfc. Andrew J. Habsieger and Cpl. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez.
Army
4th Battalion
64th Armor Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8550

Born: November 14, 1988 in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Died: March 1, 2010 in Afghanistan

Sgt. Vincent L.C. Owens of Fort Smith, Arkansas grew up in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. The son of Keith and Shelia Lynn Hope Owens joined the Army in August of 2007, arriving at Fort Campbell in January of 2008. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicles, and Weapons Qualification, M4, Expert. He was postumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. Vince leaves his wife, Kaitlyn, his mother, Sheila Lynn, his father, Keith, a stepson, Paxton, a sister, Destiny and three brothers, Seth, Slade, and Dalton. He died at age 21 at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained earlier that day when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using direct fire in Yosuf Khel.
Army
3rd Battalion
187th Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas – Sec 18 Site 735-A

Born: May 30, 1985 in Marion, Kansas
Died July 1, 2010 in Bagram, Afghanistan

Spc. Ryan J. Grady of Bristow, Oklahoma and West Burke, Vermont attended North Country High School as a freshman and Lake Region Union High School as a sophomore. In 2003 he graduated from Thunderbird Military Academy in Oklahoma. He also attended Bristow High School in Oklahoma. Ryan grew up in a military family where the motto, ‘Be all that you can Be’ was held high. One of three brothers, they all have served in the military just as their father had. His father is currently still serving in the Vermont National Guard, and a brother Kevin is also serving in Afghanistan. In 2003 he joined the Army and served in Iraq from February of 2005 through January of 2006, receiving a Purple Heart during from that tour. In October 2006, he transferred to the Vermont Army National Guard transferring back to HHC 120th Battalion in Okmulgee, Oklahoma in September of 2008. Ryan once again returned to Vermont in 2009. He died at age 25 at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised-explosive device. Ryan has been posthumously promoted to the rank of specialist. He leaves his daughter, Alexis, his father, James A. Grady, his mother and stepfather, Debbie and Tom Hudacek, his brothers, James and Kevin, and his wife, Heaven.
Army
National Guard
Special Troops Battalion
86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Bradford, Vermont

Burial is at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Born: August 26, 1982 in Liberal, Kansas
Died: June 25, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan

Spc. Jared C. Plunk of Turpin, Oklahoma and Clarksville, Tennessee graduated in 2001 from Turpin High School where he played football before attending Seward County Community College. In mid summer of 2006 he decided to enlist in the United States Army. It was a decision shared by his brother, Justin who also enlisted at about the same time. Though his brother, Justin had to leave the Army due to medical reasons, Jared was planning to pursue a career with the military. Just before Christmas of 2006 he married Lindsay Fisher. Jared was hardworking and loved to shoot guns ever since he was a young boy. Jared is the son of the late Glen and Glenda Plunk Willard. He leaves his wife, Lindsay, and their sons, Kason and Noah, his mother, Glenda Willard and her husband Gerald, two brothers, Justin and Jordan, two sisters, Ranee and Michelle. His awards and decorations include: Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Parachutists Badge; and Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert). He is survived by his wife, Lindsay, and sons, Kason and Noah and his mother, Glenda Willard. Jared died at age 27 at Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Liberal Cemetery in Liberal, Kansas

Born: June 26, 1987
Died: June 21, 2010 in Afghanistan

Sgt. Andrew R. Looney of Owasso, Oklahoma was a 2005 graduate of Owasso High School where he played football. Growing up, he spent much of his time enjoying sports and in his formative years, he became interested in history, military movies, and particularly the, Band of Brothers, series. After graduating, he enlisted in the Army. During a deployment in 2007 to Iraq, he was involved in an attack on the Humvee he was riding in. The bomb blew off part of his right foot. He would spend a year of rehabilitation at Brooke Medical Center in Texas, eventually being fitted for a prosthetic. These events might have deterred him from being back on the front lines, but Andrew was eager to get back to where he felt he was needed. So in the spring of 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert. He died at age June 22 at Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber attacked their unit. Andrew is survived by his parents, Martha and Cleo Looney, a sister, Joanna, and a brother, Steven. Andrew was a specialist at the time of his death and was posthumously promoted to sergeant.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9571