Freedom Remembered

Born: May 27, 1988 in Appleton, Wisconsin
Died: April 28, 2011 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson of Appleton, Wisconsin was a 2006 graduate of Appleton North High School. Matthew joined the United States Army in March of 2007, completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was subsequently stationed to Fort Polk in December 2007. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2007 to January. Sgt Hermanson deployed with his unit again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2010. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He completed the Warrior Leadership and the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade courses. He died at age 22 in Wardak province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
2nd Battalion
4th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Polk, Louisiana

Burial is at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton, Wisconsin

To be updated…

Born: June 3, 1983 in Kampala, Uganda
Died: April 16, 2011 in Nimroz, Afghanistan

Sgt. Paul J. Atim of Green Bay, Wisconsin grew up in Uganda, his native land. Paul was actively involved in Kampala Baptist Church, where he played the drums and guitar for worship. He graduated secondary school from Makerere Higher College School. After relocating to the United States, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for two semesters in 2005-06. In pursuit of making a better life for himself and his son, he joined the United States Army in November of 2006, completing training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was then assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia and then to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before arriving at Fort Drum in December of 2010. He previously deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April 2009 to April 2010. His awards and decorations include, two Army Achievement medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He also completed the army’s Warrior Leadership and Combat Life Savers courses. Sgt Atim died at age 27 of wounds suffered in Nimroz province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, of Beeville, Texas, and Pfc. Joel A. Ramirez, 22, of Waxahachie, Texas. Sgt Atim was posthumously promoted to Sergeant and also received his American citizenship posthumously. He was born the son of Genesios Omodo Anyuru and Ann Mary Kababito. He leaves a son, Ethan, his wife, Kasey, a stepson, Quency Wade, his mother, Ann Mary Kababito, a sister, Mbabazi Veronica, and four brothers, Francis Anyuru, Joseph Ikong, and Dennis Omodo, and James Ochen, and two close friends, Matthew Dezelan and Alantae Booker. His father preceded in death.
Army
1st Battalion
32nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum, New York

Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Allouez, Wisconsin

To be updated…

Born: September 14, 1988 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisonsin
Died: March 26, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Justin D. Ross of Green Bay, Wis., died at age 22 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by small arms fire. He was assigned to the 863rd Engineer Battalion, Wausau, Wis. Justin graduated from Bay Port High School in 2007. He was serving in the Army Reserves and was deployed to Afghanistan in early fall of 2010. His unit was scheduled to return between August and September of 2011. He was laterally promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal. He leaves his parents, Rev. Ronald and Deborah Ross, and two brothers, Nathaniel and Collin Ross among others.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9591

To be updated…

Born: March 4, 1986
Died: February 20, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

1st Lt. Daren M. Hidalgo of of Waukesha, Wisconsin formerly of Dallastown, Pennsylvania graduated from Dallastown Area High School in 2005 before going to West Point. He died at age 24 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He leaves his parents, Jorge and Andrea, his siblings, Jared, Miles and Carmen, among others.
Army
3rd Squadron
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Vilseck, Germany

Burial is at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York

To be updated…

Born: November 19, 1989 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Died: November 29, 2010 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Pfc. Jacob A. Gassen of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin died at age 21 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an insurgent attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Jake was a Combat Medic. He joined the United States Army in September of 2009 arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2010. His Awards and Decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal. He leaves his parents, Gregory and Barbara Gassen among others. Also killed were Sgt. 1st Class Barry E. Jarvis, Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, Spc Matthew W. Ramsey, Pfc. Austin G. Staggs and Pvt. Buddy W. McLain.

Burial is at Annunciation Cemetery in Randolph, Wisconsin

To be updated…

Born: November 13, 1983 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died: November 14, 2010 in Kunar province, Afghanistan

Spc. Scott T. Nagorski of Greenfield, Wisconsin joined the Army in July of 2006 arriving at Fort Campbell in November of 2006. His awards and decorations include, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. He leaves his wife, Nadine, a daughter, Melodie, his parents, Karen and Scott Kurath, a sister, Nichole Jasinski, and stepbrother, Kyle Bignell. He died at age 27 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Sec 50 Site 17A

To be updated…

Born: September 5, 1988 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Died: October 13, 2010 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Justin J. Cain of Manitowoc, Wisconsin is a 2007 graduate of Lincoln High School. He also attended Lakeshore Technical College in the dairy herd management program. Growing up, he enjoyed football, baseball, hunting, Boy Scouts and mud running. In June of 2007 he joined the United States Marines Corp. As a Marine, he had been stationed in Afghanistan since September of 2010. Among his awards and decorations are, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. Justin was a member of Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church. He leaves his father, Jim Cain, his mother and stepfather, Judy and Tim Stock, two sisters, Jolene and Jeanne. He died at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
3rd Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church Cemetery in Manitowoc, Wisconsin

To be updated…

Born: September 1, 1982 in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Died: August 19, 2006 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan

Senior Airman Adam P. Servais of Onalaska, Wisconsin was a 2001 graduate of Onalaska High School where he was a standout athlete who excelled at hockey and football, and also as a well-liked classmate. He had a strong work ethic and was an exemplary defensive hockey player. He joined the Air Force in 2002 and was a combat controller in its elite special operations command. Adam was proud of what he accomplished in the Air Force and proud of what he was doing. He enjoyed the team that he trained with, and he didn’t need recognition, he didn’t want to be a big deal. He was well liked by everybody and had a good sense of humor and he always achieved everything he wanted to achieve and put his heart into everything he did. He leaves his parents, Pete and Susan Servais and his sister, Laura Ley. He was killed at age 23 when his vehicle came under hostile fire in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.
Air Force
23rd Special Tactics Squadron
Hurlburt Field, Florida

Burial is at Onalaska City Cemetery in Onalaska, Wisconsin

Born: May 20, 1974
Died: August 30, 2010 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Matthew J. West of Conover, Wisconsin grew up in Michigan and graduated in 1992 from Gaylord High School. He then graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1997. Matt joined the Army in June of 2004 and had been in Afghanistan since July 2010, but was there previously from March through September in 2006. Matt was previously in Iraq and joined the unit in January. His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, (2 awards), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, (2 awards), Iraq Campaign Medal, w/Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, (2 awards), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge. He leaves behind his wife, Carolyn and three children. He died at age 36 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed in the attack were Army Pfc. Chad D. Clements, Army Capt. Dale A Goetz, Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante and Army Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Kessler.
Army
71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group
Fort Carson, Colorado

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9285

Born: January 18, 1990
August 27, 2010 in Paktiya, Afghanistan

Pvt2 Adam J. Novak of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin lived in Fergus Falls, Minnesota for about eleven years before he and his family moved back to Wisconsin in 2008. While living in Minnesota, he was involved in Boy Scouts and played soccer. After arriving in back Wisconsin, Adam attended Sauk Prairie High School, graduating in 2008. He entered the Army in September of 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2010 serving as an Infantryman. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4 rifle (expert). He met his future wife while completing his basic training. They couple married in March and had planned to hold a formal wedding ceremony in November of 2010 when Adam was scheduled to return to Wisconsin. He leaves his wife, Celeste Stuessy Novak, his mother, Sue Block, two sisters, Brooke and Jessica, and two brothers, Nick and Logan. Logan was also serving in Afghanistan. Adam died at age 20 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Paktiya, Afghanistan.
Army
1st Squadron
33rd Cavalry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial will be in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

To be updated…