Freedom Remembered

Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, 30, of Cypress, Texas. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He died Aug. 30 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Jesse is a 1999 graduate of Sam Houston High School. He entered the Army in January of 2000 and had been in Afghanistan since late July 2010. He was previously in Iraq from December 2005 through December 2006. He was trained as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist.

To be updated…

Born: August 28, 1961 in Houston, Texas
Died: December 26, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer Richard M. Salter of Cypress, Texas joined the Army after graduating in 1980 from Texas A&M University in 1985. Prior to that he graduated in 1980 from Cy-Fair High School. As a child, Richard spent countless hours playing with an air rescue helicopter he received one Christmas and foreshadowed what he would do as an adult. He went on to become chief warrant officer in the Army who not only flew helicopters but had also trained other soldiers to fly the Apache. He flew an air attack mission in support of ground troops that captured Saddam Hussein during his first tour in Iraq. After returning home, he finished building the dream home he had designed with his wife. The family moved into the home, on the Lampasas River, in May 2005. Richard had left for Iraq the following November for his second tour. His Awards and Decorations include, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three bronze device, Army Achievement Medal with three bronze device, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral device two, Master Army Aviator Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Army Superior Unit Award. He leaves his wife, Janet, two sons, Jarrett and Lane, two daughters, Christina and Danielle, his parents Douglad L. and Sara Jo Salter, and a sister, Sara. He was killed at age 44 when his Apache helicopter collided with another military aircraft in mid-air and then crashed in Baghdad. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer Isaias E. Santos.
Army
1st Battalion
4th Aviation Regiment
Aviation Brigade
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas

Born: August 27, 1972 in Taiwan
Died: November 13, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq

Capt. Sean P. Sims of El Paso, Texas grew up at military bases throughout the world. Sean is a 1994 graduate of Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Ross Volunteers, Ranger Challenge and was commander of Company L-2. He was the commanding officer of his outfit and was selected to be a member of the Ross Volunteers, the school’s most prestigious honor. His military education includes, the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Airborne School, Pathfinder Course, and Ranger School. He then was assigned to the 101st Airmobile Division as a platoon leader and Company Executive Officer. He later attended the Armor Officers Course and followed that with an assignment to Germany where he was assigned to the Seventh Army Training Center at Grafenwoehr. After one year he was transferred to the 1st Division in Vilseck where he spent the rest of the time as Brigade and Battalion Staff Officer, including ten months with the 1st Division deployed to Kosovo. He deployed to Iraq in February of 2004. He leaves his wife, Heidi, his son, Colin Patrick, his parents, Colonel Thomas L. and Laura Ivey Sims. He is the grandson of a major leader in the history of El Paso, the late Ben L. Ivey and Leone O. Drugan Ivey. His paternal grandfather, Walter K. Sims, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and was a long time resident of El Paso where he spent many years working for the Texas Employment Commission. He killed at age 32 when his unit came under small-arms fire while clearing a building in Fallujah, Iraq.
Army
2nd Battalion
2nd Infantry Regiment
1st Infantry Division
Vilseck, Germany

Burial is at College Station Cemetery in College Station, Texas

Born: Aug. 27, 1985 in San Jose, California
Died: October 17, 2007 in Balad, Iraq

Spc. Vincent A. Madero of Port Hueneme, California attended Frontier High school and graduated from Oxnard High in 2003 before joining the Army. As a 130 Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Specialist, Vincent attended basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in November of 2003. He then volunteered to be stationed at Fort Wainwright in January 2004, where he met his future wife, Ellen, of North Pole. They were married March 30, 2007, in Fairbanks right after Vincent returned from a 16-month tour in Iraq. He had many hobbies but mostly he enjoyed mechanics, camping, photography, art work, and he couldn’t survive without his music. He had every CD you could ever think of. Vince would go out of his way to help anybody and devoted his time to staying on top of things. Vince was a responsible leader. He used to say to his family: “When you feel alone, look at the spaces between your fingers, remember that in those spaces you can see my fingers.” His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge. He leaves his parents, Blas and Sybil Madero, his wife, Ellen Madero, his brother Daniel Hazelton, and his sister Cassey Penn. He died at age 22 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.
Army
2nd Battalion
82nd Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas – Sec 26 Site 3118

Born: August 27, 1986 in Fort Worth, Texas
Died: March 11, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq

Pfc. Amy A. Duerksen of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland grew up an Army brat, the third generation of a military family. But she never really expressed an interest in joining the military herself, until she started looking into financial aid for college. She decided on the Army, enlisting in April, and was deployed to Iraq with her unit on Christmas Day. She had a kindness and gentleness for people that caused you to warm to her quickly. Warm smiles, encouraging words and affectionate hugs were the order of the day with Amy. She loved people, and they knew it. Her grandfather, Wayne Duerksen, is a Navy veteran who served in World War II, said she was the sweetest, most wonderful little girl, adding that she was only 5’1″. Nobody had a better granddaughter. Amy’s father, Doug is an active duty Chaplin and her sister was currently in training at Fort Sam Houston. In addition to her grandfather and her father, she also leaves her mother, Michelle Duerksen, and two biological siblings, Paul and Kim Branch. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joey. Her awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, and the Army Service Ribbon. Burial was with full military honors. She died at age 19 from a non-combat-related injury in Baghdad.
Army
4th Combat Support Battalion
1st Brigade
4th Infantry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas – Sec 1 Row A Site 32

Born: August 26, 1986 in Harris County, Texas
Died: October 4, 2006 in Rawah, Iraq

Cpl. Benjamin S. Rosales of Houston, Texas is the son of immigrants. Growing up, he saw what the country offered his family, the opportunities in life, and wanted to give something back. He loved the United States, what it stood for. He attended Katy’s Mayde Creek High School and by the time he was in the 11th grade, he had made up his mind to enlist in the Marine Corps. He was passionate about the Marines and wanted to join right away, at age seventeen. His mother was completely against it. But Ben reasoned with her that he would sign up anyway as soon as he turned eighteen. He was quiet and polite, mature, respectful and seemed ten years older than he was. Benjamin was a standout student and backyard basketball player. He dreamed of becoming a plastic surgeon someday. He returned to Houston to marry his fiancee, Angela Chow on August 7 2006. Ben proudly wore his uniform during the ceremony. He leaves his wife, Angela Rosales, his mother and stepfather, Maria Salgado and Ali Daher, his brothers, Edgar and Ely Salgado and Abraham Daher. He is also the son of, Benjamin Garcia Rosales. He was killed at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Rawah, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Edward M. Garvin.
Marines
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Sealy City Cemetery in Sealy, Texas

Born: August 26, 1975 in Texas City, Texas
Died: August 12, 2007 in Kuzkalakhel, Afghanistan

Sgt 1st Class Kettle of Texas City, Oklahoma attended Texas City schools through his junior year. As a child of five, he began playing soccer, something he continued to do throughout his life. He even enjoyed the game during his military career in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Hawaii and Japan. He also grew up playing baseball. He was a stand up young man who loved the outdoors and anything competitive. He joined the United States Army and received a Bronze Star during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan after uncovering a major weapons cache. Jeffrey was serving his fourth tour of duty overseas. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger and Special Forces Tabs. He leaves his parents, Cindy and Ronald Paul Kettle, his wife, Brandi, sons Donovan and Logan, and two brothers, Clayton and Ryan Kettle. Jeff died at age 31 in Kuzkalakhel, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Jesse G. Clowers Jr. and Sgt. Charles B. Kitowski III.
Army
2nd Battalion
7th Special Forces Group
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8571

Born: August 25, 1982 in Arlington, Texas
Died: April 28, 2007 in Salman Pak, Iraq

Sgt. Glenn D. Hicks Jr of College Station, Texas is a 2000 graduate of Arlington High School where he was a member of the Arlington Teen Court. He went on to attend Tarrant County College and Blinn College. Known best by his middle name, Dale, he enlisted in the United States Army in March of 2004 and served a tour in Iraq in 2005. His second deployment to Iraq was on March 9, 2007. He served as an M1A1 Armor Crewman. Dale enjoyed music, reading, camping, and sports cars, baseball and watching the Texas Rangers. He was a bit of a non conformist, an independent thinker who didn’t follow the crowd. Dale had his own agenda in what ever he did and trusted his own judgement above a more popular one. He leaves his parents, Glenn Sr and Susan Doskocil Hicks, three brothers, David, John and Samuel and his girlfriend, Samantha Criswell. Among his awards are, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal and Soldier of the Month award. He died at age 24 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire during combat operations. Also killed were Pfc. Jay-D H. Ornsby-Adkins and Pvt. Cole E. Spencer.
Army
1st Battalion
15th Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Benning, Georgia

Burial is at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas – Sec 76 Site 1617

Born: August 22, 1980 in McLennan County, Texas
Died: November 24, 2005 in Tikrit, Iraq

Spc. Javier A. Villanueva of Temple, Texas was a 1998 La Vega High School graduate and then attended TSTC in Waco for two years. He began working at Ross Clothing store where he met his future wife and the two were married on May 15 2003. Later that fall he joined the Army on September 16th where he trained as a medical specialist. He was soon assigned to Fort Irwin. Javi had what could be affectionately called a unique sense of style. He didn’t care how he dressed even if he was mismatched. But when it came to his Air Jordan shoes, he meant business where there were the early morning shoe-buying trips. Whenever a new style of Air Jordans were introduced, he would be the first one at the store at 6 a.m. so he could go to school that same day wearing his new Jordans. He was a good kid. He wasn’t perfect, of course, but he was a good kid. Although he was quiet, he was also charismatic as far as getting people to rally behind him. His family remembers his sense of humor emerging when he and his cousins recorded CDs of themselves rapping. Or when they would dress up and take silly photos of themselves. Javi is the son of Wilfredo Rivera and Christine Villanueva. He is also survived by his wife, Felicia, and their daughter, Talihia among others. Javi died at age 25 in Asad, Iraq, of injuries sustained Nov. 23 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Hit, Iraq.
Army
2nd Squadron
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Irwin, California

Burial is at Waco Memorial Park in Waco, Texas

Born: July 16, 1990 in Wichita Falls, Texas
Died: August 21, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Alexis V. Maldonado of Wichita Falls, Texas is the son of Jesse and Alicia Maldonado. He had been in the Army as a combat engineer since October 2009 and went to the 35th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he completed One Stop training. At the completion of his training he was awarded the MOS of 21B, Combat Engineer, and assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. While there, completed many individual, squad, and platoon level trainings to include Combat Lifesaver Class and the R2C2 operator classes. In September of 2009 he deployed with the rest of the 20th Engineer Battalion to the National Training Center in California to complete the unit’s readiness training, prior to block leave and the Battalion’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Metal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He leaves his son, Isaiah, fiancée, Baronica Chapa, his parents, Jesse Maldonado and wife, Linda, and Alicia Maldonado and husband, Keith Hastings, two brothers, Brad and Sergio and a sister, Aleksi. He died at age 20at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Zhari province, Afghanistan.
Army
20th Engineer Battalion
36th Engineer Brigade
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wichita Falls, Texas

To be updated…