Freedom Remembered

Capt. Benjamin N. Cerniglia, Sr, 31, of Montgomery, Ala., and South Carolina served as a AH-1W Cobra pilot. Captain Cerniglia was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. A statement distributed to the media from the church elaborated: “The family and congregation simply request the prayers of our community, and respect for privacy during this difficult time.” Ben was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (second award), National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

To be updated…

Born: October 31, 1990 in Junction City, Kansas
Died: January 26 2012 in Beaufort, South Carolina

HN Velencia Samone Compton of Beaufort, South Carolina graduated from Carver High School in 2008 and enlisted in the United States Navy. HN Compton loved the Navy, and was passionate about pursuing her career there. She was a member of Faith, Hope, and Love Church and will be remembered as a loving mother, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Survivors include her son; Jayden, her parents, Bobby Hunter, and Michelle Compton, three brothers, Jordan Compton, Javaughn Compton, and Antonio Hunter. She died at age 21.

Burial is at Parkhill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia

The above is from her obituary

Born: November 19, 1991 in Greenville, South Carolina
Died: December 27, 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan

Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire of Easley, South Carolina died at age 20 in Paktia, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. He is a 2010 graduate of Hillcrest High School where he was on the debate team. He joined the military in September 2010 as a health care specialist and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011. Pfc Whitmire deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2011. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Burial is at Cannon Memorial Park in Fountain Inn, South Carolina

To be updated…

Born: August 21, 1952
Died: September 5, 2011 in Afghanistan

James W. Coker Sr, 59, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., was pronounced dead Sept. 5 in Kabul, Afghanistan, while on temporary assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Known best as Will, he worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Va. He was on temporary assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk. He leaves his wife, Marli Coker, son, James William “Jamie” Coker, Jr., two daughters, Lisa Gregorich and Carrie Coker Hughes, three brothers, Ben C. Coker, Jr., Mack Coker and Bill Coker, three sisters, Peggy Gagne, Betty Jo Olds and Juanita Young and five grandchildren, Kamen, Haley, Bryce, Logan and Dylan.

Whispering Pines Memorial Gardens

To be updated…

Born: August 28, 1981 in Rochester, New York
Died: July 7, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Dodds Dudley of Fort Mill, South Carolina was known by most as ‘TJ’ or ‘Duds’. He is a 2000 graduate of Fort Mill High School where he played football in his freshman year before becoming involved in the school’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and drill team. At age eighteen TJ enlisted in the Marines Corps. SSgt Dudley was serving his sixth deployment, deploying twice to Okinawa, Japan, and four times to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While stationed in Jacksonville, he served honorably at the Haws Run Volunteer Fire House. He died at age 29 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. TJ is the son of Robyn Dudley and Thomas A. Ulmer. He also leaves his wife, Mary L. Dudley, two daughters, Taylor and Jenna, and a son, Carter, and thirteen brothers and sisters.
Marines
Marine Air Group 26
2nd Marine Air Wing
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Jacksonville, North Carolina

Burial is at Rock Hill Memorial Gardens in Rock Hill, South Carolina

To be updated…

Born: October 22, 1981 in Marion, South Carolina
Died: June 26, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Gunnery Sgt. Ralph E. Pate Jr of Mullins, South Carolina died at age 29 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Known by most as, EJ, he  joined the Marines in 1998 and was promoted to his current rank in 2009. During his time with the Marines, Pate was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and was also deployed in 2009 and 2011 for Operation Enduring Freedom. Pate’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award. He leaves his wife, Kimberly, his two children, Brianna and Ashton, his parents, Roy and Inez Stroud and two sisters, DeeDee Travis and Misty Ryan.

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 7028

To be updated…

Born: December 10, 1977
Died: June 18, 2011 in Uruzgan, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright of Lodge, South Carolina graduated in 1997 from the former Ruffin High School, Ruffin, South Carolina. He joined the United States Army in February 1998. After training, he was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. While stationed at Fort Hood, Alvin spent a year in Korea (1999-2000) and served two tours of duty in Iraq (2003-04)and (2005-06) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his tours in Iraq, he spent three years as a recruiter for the United States Army in Dallas, Texas. He died at age 33 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered during a vehicle roll-over. Also killed were, Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Sgt. Alan L. Snyder of Worcester, Mass., and Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz of Beloit, Wisconsin.
Army
4th Battalion
70th Armor Regiment
170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Baumholder, Germany

Burial is at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Williams, South Carolina

To be updated…

Born: April 20, 1990
Died: May 16, 2011 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Pvt. Cheziray Pressley of North Charleston, South Carolina died at age 21 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device in Zabul province, Afghanistan. assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright,  Alaska. He joined the United States Army in September of 2010. He leaves his wife, Dewn Pressley, a daughter, Leila Grant, his parents, Jirlie (Sandra) and Raymond Pressley, and his brothers, Messer. James, Azariah and Josiah Pressley.

Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens in North Charleston, South Carolina

To be updated…

Born: May 9, 1991 in Charleston, South Carolina
Died: March 8, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan

Pfc. Kalin C. Johnson of Lexington, S.C., died at age 19 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident. Kalin graduated from Lexington High School. He leaves his parents, Brenton C Johnson and Ronda K Johnson, a brother, Noah Buddy Colin Johnson and a sister, Brittany Rose Johnson, his infant son, Logan Tyler Johnson and Logan’s mother, Courtney Waits, who was the love of his life.
Army
3rd Squadron
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Vilseck, Germany

Burial is at Bush River Memorial Gardens in Irmo, South Carolina

To be updated…

Born: September 24, 1985 in Stuttgart, Germany
Died: March 2, 2011 in Germany

Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden of Williamston, South Carolina was born in Germany while his father was stationed at a United States military base. After moving to South Carolina he graduated from Palmetto High School in Williamston prior to enlisting in the Air Force. Nick played high school soccer and enjoyed paintball, as well as online gaming. He died at age 25 as a result of a March 2 shooting at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. He leaves his wife, Patricia Brooks Alden and children, Lillian and William, his mother, Cathy Garner, his father, James Alden, two brothers, Joe Alden, David Alden, and a sister, Kelseyanne Alden.
Air Force
48th Security Forces Squadron,
RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom

Burial is at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina – Sec H Row 7 Site 317

To be updated…