Freedom Remembered

Born: February 1, 1986 in Maine
Died: September 5, 2008 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq

Spc. Jordan P. Thibeault of South Jordan, Utah attended Benjamin Franklin Academy in Sandy before joining the United States Army. He had an interest in airplanes, mathematics, computers and military history. During his four year enlistment in the Army he drove and repaired M-88 and Bradley tracked vehicles. He was currently serving his second combat tour in Iraq. His unit, headquartered in Germany, was four months into a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq when he died. During his first tour he received a commendation for his efforts as an M-88 tank driver and Bradley tank mechanic. He was quiet, a hard worker and always helpful. As a young boy, he loved to ride bikes, build with Legos and act out impromptu plays. Jordan’s family wanted everyone to know as stated in his obituary, that he “did not go to Iraq to protect America but to protect mankind. Young and eager to answer the cause of Liberty, Jordan followed his inner core of beliefs, taught by loving parents and family members, to ensure the people of Iraq were assured a chance of achieving peace and prosperity.” He is survived by his parents, John and Celeste Poulin Thibeault and a sister, Denise and was preceded in death his grandparents, Theodore N. and Denise Paquet Thibeault and Lawrence G. and Virginia Bolduc Poulin. Jordan died at age 22 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

Army
1st Battalion
6th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Armored Division
Baumholder, Germany

Burial is at South Jordan Cemetery in South Jordan, Utah

Born: August 17, 1979 in Gold Beach, Oregon
Died: October 23, 2009 in Afghanistan

Spc. Kimble A. Han, of Lehi, Utah attended Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas and enlisted in the United States Army on January 17, 2008. He deployed to Iraq in February of 2009 until May 2009 when his unit moved to Afghanistan. Kimble was home briefly on leave in August 2009 and was scheduled to return home between January and February of 2010. He had recently reconnected with his high school girlfriend Melissa and the couple were married in February 2009 before he was deployed to Iraq. Kimble was the second of eight children of Bill and Lisa Han. He spent his growing up years in Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Colorado and Utah. He loved life and his family. Another love he had was sports. If it involved football, basketball, baseball, golf or snow boarding you’d find Kimble there. He enjoyed many fishing and camping trips while he was growing up. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge. Kimble died at age 30 in Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Kimble survived by wife, Melissa, 3 step sons, Brenden, Austin, and Caleb. Mother and stepfather Lisa and Paul Barnes, two brothers Jerod and Logan, five sisters Malea, Brittany, Alyssa, Hayley, Natalie, and step sister Alexia among others. He died at age 30 in Zhari district, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an IED Also killed was Spc. Eric N. Lembke. Kimble was a private first class when he died and was promoted posthumously to the rank of Specialist.
Army
569th Mobility Augmentation Company
4th Engineer Battalion
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Utah State Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah – Sec A Site 4041

Birth: December 24, 1972 – Ogden, Utah
Died: March 14, 2004 – Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt First Class Ferrin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was killed when an improvised explosive device struck his military vehicle while on patrol. Clint’s family moved to Mississippi for his senior year of high school. Teachers remembered him as the quiet kid who kept to himself. He graduated in 1991 from Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune, Mississippi and shortly after joined the Army. Clint’s tour of duties included Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Iraq. Clint excelled as a noncommissioned officer and always stood up for his soldiers. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Burial: Ben Lomond Cemetery, Ogden, Utah

Born: October 3, 1982 in New Mexico
Died: September 6, 2004 in Al Anbar, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Quinn Keith of Blanding, Utah, a weapons specialist, joined the United States Marine Corps fresh out of graduating from Page High School in Arizona, where he was active in wrestling. The quiet young man loved fishing, hunting and wrestling. Keith was a Navajo and belonged to the Towering House clan and then to the Bitter Water clan. He was willing to go to war to sacrifice his life for his country and his reservation and he was scared to be there, but he knew he had to be. Clyde Keith and his wife, Shannon, became legal guardians for Quinn and his brothers, Stevenson, Chad, and Lance, several years ago after the youths’ parents divorced. Quinn’s mother, Leslie Kartchner lives in Salt Lake City. At Page High School, he was a second-string wrestler with a lot of heart. In one competition, when a first-string wrestler couldn’t participate, Quinn stepped up and was victorious. He never lost his love for wrestling. Though he was small even after he bulked up in the Marines, 5′ 6″ and 135 pounds, he had recently taken on a much bigger opponent in a wrestling match in Iraq, and after a 30-minute struggle, came out on top. He was scheduled to end his tour in Iraq in just a little more than three weeks and planned to serve the remainder of his time in California. He was killed at age 22 due to enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
2nd Battalion
1st Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Blanding City Cemetery in Blanding, Utah

Born: October 14, 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona
Died: August 26, 2009 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Kurt R. Curtiss of Murray, Utah lived most of his life in Utah. A goofy and kind child growing up, it was very hard to not smile when he was around. He married Elizabeth Ann Black on June 14, 2000 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 he enlisted in the Army, wishing to be a part of protecting his country, wishing to help and wanting to make the world a better place. He served two tours in Iraq, the first from March 2003 to January 2004 with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment “Rakkasans”, 101st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His second tour in Iraq was from October 2006 to November 2007 and for his third tour of duty he deployed in March 2009 to Afghanistan; both served with the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Richardson, Alaska. Kurt had many interests in life including his enjoyment of martial arts, dirt biking, 4-wheeling, jamming on his guitar and spending time with his family. He was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He was a caring person who always placed others before himself. He will always be remembered for his love, devotion, compassion and humor. Kurt died in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot while his unit was supporting Afghan security forces. He was leading his unit in a hospital clinic where insurgents were thought to be. Kurt is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Curtiss, his two children, Joshua and Cecilia, his mother, Ruth Serrano, his father, Robert (Kim) Curtiss (PA), sisters, Lynn (David) Burr-Curtiss, Leha Harkins, Jenna Curtiss (PA) and Caroline Curtiss (PA), Grandmother, Carol Curtiss (PA), Great Aunt, Ruth Robinson, nieces and nephews, Cody, Ariah, Justin, and Kiara, In-laws, Kenneth A. and Judith P. Black, sister-in-law Jacqueline Black, and his good friend who he considered as a brother, Daniel Longoria.

Burial is at Utah State Veterans Cemetery in Riverton, Utah – Sec A Site 994

Born: August 28, 1961 in Lompoc, California
Died: March 29, 2003 in Nasiriyah, Iraq

Staff Sgt James W. Cawley of Roy, Utah served for 12 years in Marines, traveling all over the world. James met his wife while he was serving with the Marines on the Japanese island of Okinawa. After leaving active duty with the Marines, he attended the Salt Lake Police Academy in 1997 and graduated with top honors, receiving the Top Gun Award for the top marksman in his graduating class and the Blue Shirt Award. This award is presented to the top recruit of each graduating class and he achieved the top scores in academics, firearms, physical fitness and communications. James was called back to active duty with his Marine reserve unit to serve in the War on Terrorism. He leaves his wife, Miyuki, two children, Cecil and Keiko, his father Cecil M. Cawley, his brother, Michael, his sisters Debbie, Julie,Susan, Lori and Kimberly. He was hit and killed at age 41 by a Humvee while en route to a firefight.
Marine
Reserves
F Company
2nd Battalion
23rd Marine Regiment
4th Marine Division
Salt Lake City, Utah

Burial is at Roy City Cemetery in Roy, Utah

Birth: Jan. 19, 1978 in Blackfoot, Idaho
Death: Feb. 23, 2009 in Iraq

Cpl Michael B. Alleman of Logan, Utah was raised in Dalton, Georgia and Idaho before moving to Utah in 1998. He graduated in 1996 from Southeast Whitfield High School in Dalton, then attended University of Georgia and Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, before making his way to Utah State University. He taught 4th grade for two years in Las Vegas before moving back to Cache Valley and teaching 5th grade at Nibley Elementary for two years. He loved spending time with the children and helping them learn the importance of an education. He later quit his teaching job to join the army. Michael was a man passionate about his patriotism and devoted to his country. He relished teaching American history in his classes at Alleman at Nibley Elementary where he was an an engaging teacher who cared deeply about every student. He was a good family man and although he was in Iraq, he called and sent packages and frequently checked his wife’s blog. He was an outdoor person who enjoyed hiking and biking and was always working at least two jobs. Michael was a member of the 51st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which was deployed in September for a 12-month tour. He was killed at age 31 while serving in the Army in Iraq. He is the son of Boyd and Susan Alleman. He is also survived by his wife Amy and their two sons among others. Also killed were Cpl. Michael L. Mayne and Cpl. Zachary R. Nordmeyer.
Army
5th Squadron
1st Cavalry Regiment
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Burial is at Hyrum City Cemetery in Hyrum, Utah

Born: June 16, 1970
Died: May 20, 2008 in Aband District, Afghanistan

Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon of Orem, Utah grew up in Idaho but went to high school in Orem. He received a bachelor of science degree in nuclear engineering from OSU and was highly regarded by both faculty and fellow students. He was already in the Navy’s submarine service when they sent him to the university to get an undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering and prepare him for a career as an officer. He received a license as a nuclear reactor operator while still an OSU undergraduate student. Jeff was serving in Afghanistan as a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni. He was a professional who was extremely dedicated to his family, his shipmates and the nation. He died as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in the Aband District, Afghanistan at age 37. Jeff was only three weeks shy of reaching his 20th year in the military and was scheduled to return home from his tour but recently extended his service for six months. He was married with two children.
Navy
Commander Navy Region Northwest
Bangor, Washington

Burial is unknown at this time

Born: May 6, 1982 in in Utah
Died: October 23, 2007 in Konar, Afghanistan

Staff Sergeant Rougle, of West Jordan, Utah. Larry graduated early from Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and had been in the United States Army the past seven years. He was currently on his sixth overseas tour of duty, having served twice in Iraq and three previous times in Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based at Vicenza, Italy. Larry was a politics junkie, highly intelligent, and had wanted to make the world a better place. Larry loved being a soldier and serving his country. Military life seemed to suit him well, he believed in what he was doing and would debate anyone who said differently. Larry’s father had served in the Vietnam War and an uncle served during the Gulf War. Larry never turned his back on what he felt was his duty. Being with his fellow soldiers was what he lived for. He once said he would “die happy if the Guys fighting next to (him) could come home safe.” While on his world travels he met wonderful and famous people. Larry had married his girlfriend, Jackie Trujillo, several years ago and they had a daughter, Carmin Jade, who was the light of Larry’s world. Despite his later divorce from Jackie, they remained friends and devoted to Carmin’s world. He loved taking her on adventures. He leaves his daughter, Carmin Jade Rougle, his parents Nancy and Ismael Rougle, his brother David Rougle. Larry had planned on coming home for his father’s birthday, his brother’s wedding and to take his daughter to Disneyland in March of 2008. He died at the age of 25 of wounds when he was engaged by enemy small arms fire during combat operations in Sawtalo Sar Mountain, Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8721

Born: June 3, 1984 in American Fork, Utah
Died: July 17, 2007 in Rushdi Mullah, Iraq

Sgt. Nathan S. Barnes of American Fork, Utah attended schools in American Fork. The son of Kevin and Donna Barnes was the fifth of six children who loved camping, hiking, and most anything outdoors. Nathan was intelligent and philosophical and would often read books and then discuss them with his sister. He enlisted in the United States Army at age 19 and planned to use his GI Bill money to study to become a physician’s assistant after his discharge. And he hoped to use this training to return to Iraq someday to provide health care for people. He was currently 11 months into a tour in Iraq with the Army. He had been deployed in August of 2006 and was expected home again Christmas of 2007. Nathan had real compassion for the children of Iraq. He felt they were caught in the middle. His Grandfather, Stanley J. Barnes received a purple heart in World War II, and his grandmother Sue Eaton was a former Navy Wave. He is a graduate of the Combat Life Saver Course. Nathan’s Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was killed at age 23 while on a combat mission with his Army infantry unit. In addition to his parents, he leaves behind, his parents, a sister Lisa and four brothers Jay, Timothy, Michael, Elder Matthew.
Army
4th Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York

Burial is at American Fork Cemetery in American Fork, Utah