Freedom Remembered

Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Jan. 6 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind. SSgt Metzger was a career military man who spent eight years in the Marine Corps. He planned on a military career and was studying for the rank of master sergeant. He was currently serving a second deployment, having previously served a tour in Iraq. He was six weeks into a nine month tour in Afghanistan. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal (2), Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (2), Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: April 17, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: January 6, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Christopher A. Patterson of Aurora, Illinois died at age 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind. He was a student at Valparaiso University. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to
Valparaiso University,
attn: SPC Christopher A. Patterson Scholarship Fund
Valparaiso University
Office of Advancement
1100 Campus Drive South
Valparaiso, IN 46383

or
West Aurora High School Music Department
attn: Christopher Patterson Memorial Fund

To be updated..

Born: March 6, 2024
Died: January 6, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Sgt. Brian J. Leonhardt of Merrillville, Ind., died at age 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind. Brian was the sixth of eight children in his family. Three of his older brothers also served in Iraq or Afghanistan. He wanted to become a police officer when he got out of the military. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Burial is at Memory Lane Memorial Park in Schererville, Indiana - Veteran’s Section.

To be updated…

Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet, Ind., died Jan. 6 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind. Bobby was a 1986 graduate of North Judson San Pierre High School. He was on his second tour of duty. Spc Tauteris re-enlisted in the National Guard after his 21-year-old son, Robert III, joined up and was sent to Afghanistan. Robert III accompanied his father’s body back to the U.S. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M device (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge w/ Driver-Wheeled Vehicle (S) Clasp.

Oak Grove Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: July 27, 2024 in New Mexico
Died: December 31 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Spc. Pernell J. Herrera of Espanola, New Mexico died at age 33 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a non-combat incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He attended Española Valley High School joined the New Mexico State Guard in May 2006. He was a part of a crew that makes sure all the communication equipment was working properly.

Burial is at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Section 20 Site 396

To be updated…

Born: May 10, 2024 in Orange County, California
Died: December 27, 2023 in Paktia, Afghanistan

Sgt. Noah M. Korte of Lake Elsinore, California died at age 29 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. He joined the military in May 2003 as military police and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011. Sgt Korte deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2011. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2007 to December 2008, from March 2005 to February 2006 and from January 2004 to April 2004. His awards and decorations include, four Army Commendation Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medals with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Driver and Mechanic Badge with operator and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicles.

Burial is at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California - Sec 5 Site 1975

To be updated…

Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire, 20, of Easley, S.C., died Dec. 27, in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. He is a 2010 graduate of Hillcrest High School where he was on the debate team. He joined the military in September 2010 as a health care specialist and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011. Pfc Whitmire deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2011. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Visitation will be 4:30-8 p.m. Friday at Faith Renewed Outreach Center in Mauldin.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Simpsonville First Baptist Church.
A funeral escort will be provided by the Patriot Guard.

Memorials may be made to the Faith Renewed Outreach Center Building Fund, 505 S. Main Street, Mauldin, SC 29662.

Funeral information provided by: Greenville Online and Fletcher Funeral Service.

To be updated…

Born: September 22, 2024 in Hidalgo County, Texas
Died: December 27, 2023 in Paktia, Afghanistan

Spc. Kurt W. Kern of McAllen, Texas died at age 24 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. He is a 2006 graduate of McAllen Memorial High School where he worked hard in class and played hard on the football field. He joined the military in September 2009 as military police and was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, since September 2011. Spc Kern deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2011. His awards and decorations include, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Burial is at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas - Sec 34 Row H Site 222

To be updated…

Born: December 15, 2024 in Marshfield, Wisconsin
Died: December 25, 2023 in Kunar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Altmann, 27, of Marshfield, Wis., died Dec. 25, in Kunar province Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He previously served two tours in Iraq and had just re-enlisted for another four years. He was married in February. Joe is a 2003 graduate of Columbus Catholic High School. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, graduating in July 2005. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, 3, Army Achievement Medal, 3, Army Good Conduct Medal, 2, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, 2, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, 4, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qual Badge. He also received NATO Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Burial is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: June 9, 2024
Died: December 21, 2024 in Khowst Afghanistan

Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg of Longview, Washington died at age 21 in Khowst province, Afghanistan. She was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky. Kayla is a graduate of Mark Morris High School and enlisted soon after high school in 2008 to earn money to further her education. Deployed to Afghanistan, she was scheduled to leave around Christmas, arriving back in the states in early 2012. Her awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Sec D Row C Site 7

To be updated…