Birth: April 14, 1986 – Thailand
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Chor Xiong and his father Xia Soua Siong fought bravely against the Vietnamese Communist Forces, with the support of the CIA, in Laos during the Vietnam War. As a result of these actions they were forced to flee their homeland after US military forces withdrew from Southeast Asia in 1975. Kham Xiong came to the US as a toddler but even at a young age, he realized the commitment and sacrifices that his father and grandfather had made for their families and their people. Growing up, Kham told his father and grandfather about his desire to follow in their footsteps and serve his country. As he finished high school, married his high school sweetheart, and became a proud father; his desire to serve his country continued to burn. After talking to his younger brother Nelson, who was already serving in the Marines, Kham decided the time was right for him to enlist. Kham saw the military as a way to give back to his country, to help his family have a better life and to continue the legacy and tradition that started with his beloved father and grandfather’s commitment to freedom. Any short term suffering and separation from his family would be offset by the numerous opportunities that would open up as a result of his military service. On the day a disgruntled U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others before he was brought down, Kham was filling out paperwork to prepare for a deployment in Iraq around New Year’s. He was in line for a physical when the shooting broke out. Only moments before, his wife sent him a text message, telling him to come home for lunch and go back later. But Kham texted back, “No, I’ll stay. It’s almost my turn.”
Burial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota – Section V, Site 2095
Birth: February 6, 1987 – Bolingbrook, Illinois
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Michael started life loving music. At an early age, his father began teaching him how to play the guitar and in turn Michael taught his friends. He graduated in 2006 from Bolingbrook High School where he was an outstanding student involved in art, music and the ROTC. After graduation, he worked at a furniture store but felt he could do better for himself. Michael joined the military for many reasons – to travel, to see the world, to have a chance at a college education and to serve his country. But something unexpected happened, Michael soon became passionate about his life in the military – he was proud of what he was doing and loved every minute of it. He served in the Army Engineer Corps since September 25, 2008, and was training to deactivate bombs. Michael was a good friend, hard worker and dedicated to his family – an amazing man who didn’t drink, didn’t smoke and lived for his music and work. Michael was one of 300 soldiers who were lined up to get shots and eye-testing at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood when shots rang out. The soldiers were processing to either return from or about to be sent overseas. A disgruntled U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others before he was brought down. Michael was shot three times and taken into surgery. The surgeons were able to bring him back to life twice on the operating table but the damage had already been done.
Burial: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois – Section 10, Site 1037
Birth: June 1, 1990 – Salt Lake City, Utah
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Pfc Nemelka was a 2008 graduate of West Jordan High School, West Jordan, Utah. His sense of duty to his country came from both of his grandfathers, his uncles, an aunt and cousin who all served in the military. In October 2008, he joined the Army and was scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in January. Aaron had barely finished his service training when he was killed at Fort Hood. He was one of 300 soldiers who were lined up to get shots and eye-testing at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood when shots rang out. He was one of the first ones shot and died instantly. The soldiers were processing to either return from or about to be sent overseas. A disgruntled U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others before he was brought down. Aaron was so concerned about people being killed by roadside bombs that he wanted to help in any way he could – he signed up for one of the most dangerous jobs the military has: defusing bombs. He was so proud of what he was doing in the military that he was considering making it his career. Aaron was an Eagle Scout and loved skateboarding, snowboarding, golf, bowling, music and spending time with family and friends. He was a kind and gentle soul, quiet and well spoken. Friends and family will miss his beautiful smile and cheerful, fun loving personality.
Burial: Utah State Veterans Cemetery, Bluffdale, Utah
Birth: September 9, 1954 – Pennsylvania
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Juanita attended Pittsburgh Langley High School and put herself through the University of Pittsburg where she earned a master’s degree in nursing. She was from a military family, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise when, in 1984, she joined the military and spent the next 25 years in active duty and Army reserves. As a certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, her expertise was in post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Juanita had served a year overseas at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and regularly volunteered for round-trip flights to Iraq to care for soldiers being sent to Landstuhl. She received an Army Commendation Medal in 2006 for meritorious service at Landstuhl. Juanita had volunteered for deployment to Iraq and had only been at Fort Hood for 24 hours before being killed – she was due to leave the end of November. She looked forward to deploying because she wanted to help the soldiers who needed her professional help – she didn’t want them to have to wait til they came back to the states. On October 29, 2009, Juanita made her final Facebook entry. She stated she loved the Army and her family very much. She wrote, “I miss my girls and their beautiful children. It’s so nice to come to Facebook to see them grow up even if it’s just in photographs. So much to do. So many lives to touch. Just wish it didn’t take me away from home so much.” She leaves behind her husband, Philip, two daughters, three step-children and eight grandchildren. Juanita was one of 300 soldiers who were lined up to get shots and eye-testing at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood when shots rang out. The soldiers were processing to either return from or about to be sent overseas. A disgruntled U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others before he was brought down.
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia – Section 59, Site 92
Birth: August 25, 1987 – Moore, Oklahoma
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Spc Hunt was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Unit 2-8 Infantry, Fort Hood, Texas. He was one of 300 soldiers who were lined up to get shots and eye-testing at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood when shots rang out. The soldiers were processing to either return from or about to be sent overseas. A disgruntled U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others before he was brought down. Jason, known as “J.D.” was a quiet, shy kid who always tried to blend in. He was family oriented and enjoyed playing video games. But he was also very kind hearted and never gave his mother one minute of trouble his whole school life. At one point, Jason had to wear silver caps on his front teeth and was too embarrassed to ever smile. His sister, knowing his love for video games, would ask him to show his Ninja Turtle teeth which would make him smile. In high school, he once had to dissect a cat for a class assignment which he refused to do. He became so upset about it that his mother had to pick him up from school. Jason was voted “most quiet” in his senior class and graduated in 2005 from Tipton High School in Tipton, Oklahoma. He joined the Army in the summer of 2006 and served three and a half years, including 15 months in Iraq. After joining the Army, Jason’s family noticed a change in him. The shy and easily embarrassed kid became a brave and fearless warrior. He was preparing for his second deployment to Iraq when the attack happened. Jason planned to make a career of the military and had re-enlisted for six years after serving his initial two year assignment. He married Jennifer Morgan two months ago and was excited about their new family. Jason also felt the military was like his family and said he would take a bullet for any of his fellow soldiers – his family feels like this is what happened in the Soldier Readiness Center.
Burial: Sunset Cemetery, Norman, Oklahoma
Birth: July 21, 1953 – Williston, North Dakota
Died: November 5, 2009 – Fort Hood, Texas
Capt Gaffaney was a psychiatric nurse who worked for San Diego County, California for more than 20 years. He had arrived at Fort Hood the day before the shooting to prepare for a deployment to Iraq. John had served in the Navy and later the California National Guard as a younger man. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, he tried to sign up again for military service. Although the Army Reserves at first declined, he got the call about two years ago asking him to rejoin. “He wanted to help the boys in Iraq and Afghanistan deal with the trauma of what they were seeing,” said Stephanie Powell, a close friend and co-worker. “He was an honorable man. He just wanted to serve in any way he can.” His family described him as an avid baseball card collector and fan of the San Diego Padres. He liked to read military novels and ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. John was a strong leader who supervised a team of six social workers at the county’s Adult Protective Services department. When his wife, Christine, heard of her husband’s actions she wasn’t surprised – it wasn’t like John to duck or stay out of harm’s way. He would have been trying to protect everyone else.
Burial: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California
Born Feb. 17, 1978 in Batesville, Arkansas
Died Feb. 10, 2010 in Madison, WI
Army National Guard Chaplain Eric Benjamin Simpson earned his Master’s of Divinity degree and was an ordained minister in the Evangelical Free Church. He served in the Iowa National Guard assigned to the 344th Battle Support Battalion based out of Camp Dodge. Deeply religious, Eric loved teaching others about Jesus and assisting them in their needs through prayer and conversation. Eric was always learning, never stopping his quest for knowledge of mankind. Eric was preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan later in the year. As a civilian, Eric was employed at a company in Schofield, Wisconsin, and on February 9, 2010, he was severely injured at work. He was transported to a Madison hospital where he died of his wounds. He is survived by his wife Sarah; two children; his parents Sherman “Dale” and Cleda (Taylor) Simpson; his brother Chris and several other relatives.
Born: April 12, 1982 in Warren, Ohio
Died: September 11, 2007
Sgt. Kevin R. Jamison of Girard, Ohio was born a son of Richard and Barbara Harker Jamison. He was an active Army Reservist of the 347th Quarter Master Co. and served in Iraq. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Pauline Jamison, and Annabelle Harker. Kevin died at St. Elizabeth Health Center due to injuries from a motorcycle accident at age 25.
Burial is at Four Mile Run Cemetery in Austintown, Ohio
Born: July 7, 1982 in Evansville, Indiana
Died: January 12, 2007 in Evansville, Indiana
Cpl Robert C. McCluskey of Evansville, Indiana was a 2000 graduate of Central High School and a member of Christian Fellowship Church. Bob served in the United States Marines on Okinawa and Operation Iraqi Freedom II, serving one tour in Iraq and had just returned home after being retired for medical reasons. He was very outgoing and loved hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles. Preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert McCluskey and Charles Apfelstadt. Bob died at his residence at age 24.
Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Evansville, Indiana
Birth: July 8, 1964 – East Flatbush, New York
Died: November 8, 2003 – Washington, D.C.
Staff Sgt Jimenez was assigned to the 2nd Squadron Combat Support Aviation (Maintenance), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, Louisiana. She fell into a bomb crater on October 31 while running to keep up with friends and was taken to the 28th Combat Support Hospital and later evacuated to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center in Germany. Jimenez was diagnosed with a broken knee and nose but was later moved to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. and died of complications on November 7 after a blood clot went to her brain and caused a stroke. As a teenager, Linda played acoustic and electric guitar. After graduating from high school, she went to secretarial school and worked various secretarial jobs until she enlisted in the Army in her mid-20s. Linda had been scheduled to come home in September but the date was pushed back to October, then November.
Burial: Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania – Section 24D, Site 877A