Freedom Remembered

Born: June 20, 2024
Died: February 22, 2024

Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, Wash., enlisted in the Marine Corps May 4, 2024 and served as a helicopter crew chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. Lance Cpl. Elliott served as a helicopter chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Elliott enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 4, 2024 and at the time of his death was a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Section D Row C Site 47

To be updated…

Born: October 15, 2024
Died: February 10, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Osbrany MontesDeOca of North Arlington, New Jersey died at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Osbrany graduated from North Arlington High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps soon after graduating.

Burial is at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: December 12, 2024
Died: February 1, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Edward J. Dycus of Greenville, Mississippi died at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He graduated from Riverside High in 2008. He entered boot camp in 2010 and had been in Afghanistan just a few months.

Burial is at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, Mississippi

To be updated…

Born: March 1, 2024 in Seattle, Washington
Died: January 31, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. William C. Stacey, 23, of King, Wash., died Jan. 31 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Will is a 2006 high school graduate. He began serving in the Marine Corps Jan. 3, 2007 and was currently serving his second deployment to Afghanistan. His personal service awards include, the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze star devices, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver star device, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9960

Donations Information
Will’s family requests that in lieu of flowers,
donations be sent to
Roosevelt University Greenlake Little League
Attn: Will Stacey Memorial Fund
9594 First Avenue NE, #122
Seattle WA 98115

To be updated….

Born: October 31, 2024 in Los Angeles County, California
Died: January 21, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Christopher G. Singer, 23, of Temecula, Calif., died Jan. 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Chris is a 2007 graduate of Chaparral High School where he participated in the Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps program. He joined the United States Marines shortly after graduation. His awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Burial is at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California - Sec 61 Site 1403

To be updated…

Born: May 23, 2024 in Gallatin, Illinois
Died: January 22, 2024

Captain Joshua C. Pairsh of Equality, Illinois died at age 29 in the United States of a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington, D.C. He joined the United States Marine Corps on Jan. 16, 2005, and was promoted to his current rank on Aug. 1, 2010. Pairsh, a supply officer and a civil affairs officer, was a Marine Reservist, and had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Dec. 19, 2007 to June 13, 2008. His personal awards and decorations include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Pairsh served as a ground supply officer with the 4th Civil Affairs Group. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008. A 2004 graduate of Murray State University, Pairsh held a degree in criminal justice.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 10018

To be updated…

Born: April 24, 2024
Died: January 19, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Nate is a graduate of Crystal Lake South High School where he ran cross country and track while in school. A CH-53 pilot, he was commissioned into the Marine Corps in September 2005 and joined the squadron in October 2009. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His personal awards include, two Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations.

Windridge Memorial Park Cemetery

To be updated…

MSgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He is a 1990 graduate of Centerville High School, joining the Marines soon after. MSgt Riddick had served three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan and this was to be his last tour. His cousin, 2nd Lt. Leonard Cowherd III was killed in 2004. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations. His awards include, six Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, seven Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, NATO ISAF Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

To be updated…

Born: October 27, 2024
Died: January 19, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. “Kevin attended Saint John Vianney for grade school, followed by Colonia Middle. After attending Ramapo College he transferred to Middlesex County College. However, before graduating Kevin felt he needed to answer a call to serve his country. In the spring of 2008 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attained the rank of Corporal.” He enlisted in the Marines in June 2008 and reported to HMH-363 in September 2009. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His awards include three Air Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations.

Saint Gertrude’s Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: March 8, 2024
Died: January 19, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Jesse W. Stites of Palatka, Florida died at age 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Stites was a CH-53 crew chief who had been with the “Red Lions” since March 2009. The 2006 Interlachen High School graduate enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2008. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His awards include, three Air Medals, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations.

To be updated…