Freedom Remembered

Born: March 17, 1990
Died: August 5, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Daniel D. Gurr, 21, of Vernal, Utah, died Aug. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Okinawa, Japan. His awards and decorations include, the Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Vernal Memorial Park in Vernal, Utah

To be updated…

Born: August 12, 1978
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah 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 August of 2003. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois on October, 2003, he reported to the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Virginia Beach, Virginia until January of 2004. From there, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training at Coronado, California. After he graduated BUD/S in September of 2004, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command at Coronado, California, where he served until March of 2005. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in August of 2005. His awards include, Bronze Star with Combat “V” device for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9928

To be updated…

Born: August 12, 1982 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Died: August 6, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah, 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 July, 2002. After graduating from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in February, 2003, he reported for technical training at Great Lakes, Illinois until May of 2003. He then transferred to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment at Keflavik, Iceland and served there until July, 2004. He then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Coronado, California. After completion of BUD/S in 2005, he reported to a West Coast based SEAL Team from November, 2004 to November, 2007. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in November, 2007. His awards include Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 Awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

To be updated…

Born: July 23, 1989 in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
Died: July 16, 2011 in Kunar, Afghanistan

Cpl. Raphael R. Arruda, 21, of Ogden, Utah, died July 16 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 416th Theater Engineer Command, Ogden, Utah. He is a 2008 graduate of Bonneville High School. Raphael completed his basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in 2008. His job was to clear Afghan roads of improvised explosive devices and he had only a couple more missions to complete. Cpl Arruda had expected to finish those missions and then attend classes and debriefings before returning to Utah.

Burial is at Washington Heights Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah

To be updated…

Born: May 31, 1989 in Orange County, California
Died July 10, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Norberto Mendez Hernandez of Logan, Utah is a 2007 graduate of Logan High School. Norbert understood the dangers of enlisting, but those who knew him also knew that once he set his mind to something, he would follow through with it. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 26, 2010 and was serving his first combat deployment. His personal service awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Nato-ISAF Medal. He died at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Marines
1st Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California – Sec O Site 1723

To be updated…

Born: January 1, 1989 in Salinas, California
Died: July 5, 2011 in Paktia, Afghanistan

Spc. Preston J. Suter Sandy, Utah died at age 22 in Paktia province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Hohenfels, Germany. Preston graduated in 2007 from Alta High School where he played varsity basketball. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Throckmorton, 28, of Battle Creek, Mich., and Spc. Jordan C. Schumann, 24, of Port Saint Lucie, Fla. He leaves his wife, Nicole Suter, his father and stepmother, Christopher J. and Dixie Lee Suter, his Mother and stepfather, Patricia and Chad Jacobs, and his siblings, Jaime Pezqueda, Samantha Suter, Jerrica Jacobs, Jayden Jacobs, Roman Daniels, and Jaren Daniels.

Burial is at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah

To be updated…

Born: November 16, 1990 in Cody, Wyoming
Died: October 13, 2010 in Yahya Kheyl, Afghanistan

Spc. Jordan M. Byrd of Grantsville, Utah is a graduate of Dugway High School. Jordan enlisted in the Army in September of 2009, arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2010. His awards and decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. HIs ultimate goal was to attend medical school. He leaves his wife, Savanna, a newborn son, Ayden, parents, Roberta and Scott Pitt, father Justin Brost, sisters Abby Byrd, Maddie Klupenher, Sidney, Emmily Brost, brothers Nicholas Torrence Brown, Tyler Corbett and Trevor Brost. He died at age 19 in Yahya Kheyl, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. On August 25, 2011, Spc Byrd was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Army’s third highest award for valor. The Silver Star Medal and citations were given to his wife, Savanna and son Ayden, his mother, Roberta Pitt and father, Justin Brost.
Army
1st Battalion
506th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Grantsville City Cemetery in Grantsville, Utah

To be updated…

Born: February 8, 1976 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Died: September 21, 2010 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Wagstaff of Orem, Utah attended Orem High School where he was a disciplined student and played on the football team. He later earned his degree from Utah State University before enlisting in the Army. As a teenager he loved watching war movies and had dreams of serving in the military as a helicopter pilot. He was one of several pilots who flew Blackhawk helicopters in the original Transformers movie in 2007. He served a tour in Iraq, and began his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in February of 2010. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Army Aviator Badge. Matt was a newlywed when he was deployed. It had only been one month after marrying his wife, Tiffany. He also leaves his parents, Ronald and Suzanne Wagstaff. He died at age 34 in a helicopter crash during combat operations in Zabul province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Army
5th Battalion
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Utah State Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah – Sec A Site 2162

Born: February 28, 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Died: September 16, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Aaron K. Kramer, 22, of Salt Lake City, Utah joined the Army in June 2006, arriving at Fort Campbell in March of 2007. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was serving his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, after having previously served in Iraq. He leaves his wife, Jackie, his parents, Richard and Shannon Kramer, a sister and a twin brother. He died Sept. 16 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
2nd Battalion
502nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, Utah

To be updated…

Born: July 17, 1977 in Big Spring, Texas
Died: August 29, 2010 in Nangahar, Afghanistan

Capt. Ellery R. Wallace of Salt Lake City, Utah grew up in Big Spring, Texas. ‘Ray’ was a determined young man, who had a great drive to keep improving himself. He completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah in sociology-criminology in 2003 and was currently working toward a master’s degree in business online. Ray worked for his uncle Brent on the family farm in Sugar City, Idaho before he started Ricks College, now Brigham Young University-Idaho. He attended Ricks College for a year prior to serving a Mormon Church mission to Ivory Coast in West Africa. Ray had a dream since childhood of following in his grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a soldier. He joined the Army in 2003. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal-Valor, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge. He leaves his wife, Janelle, his children, Liam, Adara, Kael and Ehlana and his parents, Dewayne and Elaine Wallace and four brothers and two sisters. He died at age 33 at Nangahar, Afghanistan, of wound sustained when their military vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenade on Aug. 28 at Nangahar, Afghanistan.
Army
1st Squadron
61st Cavalry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Mount Olive Cemetery in Big Spring, Texas

To be updated…