Freedom Remembered

Born: April 20, 2024 in Arcata, California
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Jesse made it known he wanted to become a SEAL during his second summer working as a seasonal firefighter for California’s forestry department. He even trained in his off-time with an ex-SEAL to prepare. He was a hard worker who shared a love of hotrods with his father and older brother, and he did odd jobs at an automotive repair shop in his hometown to learn how to build and repair cars. Despite being a leader on his fire crew and having a good career ahead of him as a firefighter, he made it clear becoming a SEAL was his passion. He graduated from Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill., in October 2005, then reported to the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md. After completing that training, Pittman went on to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in March 2006. He graduated from SEAL training and reported to the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Center at Coronado, Ca. From there, he went to the Naval Special Warfare Training Center Detachment at Kodiak, Alaska, then returned to the NSW Advanced Training Center at Coronado, Ca. in January 2007. In April of the same year he reported to a West Coast-based SEAL team. His awards include, the joint service commendation medal with a “V” device for valor; two Navy commendation medals; the combat action ribbon; the Afghanistan campaign medal; the Iraq campaign medal, the Global War on Terrorism expeditionary medal; the Global War of Terrorism service medal; the good conduct medal; the national defense service medal; the sea service deployment ribbon; the rifle marksmanship medal; and the pistol marksmanship medal.

Burial is at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California - Sec R Site 716-D

To be updated…

Born: August 12, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August of 2003. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois on October, 2003, he reported to the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Virginia Beach, Virginia until January of 2004. From there, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training at Coronado, California. After he graduated BUD/S in September of 2004, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command at Coronado, California, where he served until March of 2005. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in August of 2005. His awards include, Bronze Star with Combat “V” device for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9928

To be updated…

Born: June 24, 2024 in Tennessee
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Among his awards and decorations are, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, one with “V” for valor, the Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy Good Conduct MedalNational Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, two Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9927

To be updated…

Born: July 1, 2024 in Osage, Iowa
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July, 1995. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in September, 1995. Petty Officer 1st Class Tumilson completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in April, 2002. He served in three West Coast based Special Warfare Units from October, 2002 to August, 2009. He served in two East Coast based Special Warfare Units from August, 2009 to August, 2011. His awards include, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy ‘E’ Ribbon (3), Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4) Rifle Expert Medal, and Pistol Expert Medal.

Burial is at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, Iowa

To be updated…

Born: June 6, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9925

To be updated…

Born: December 29, 2023
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara of South Sioux City, Neb., died at age 26 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Johnny enlisted in the United States Navy in February, 2003. After graduating Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in April, 2003, he reported to his initial service school training at Norfolk, Virginia. Upon completion of his initial training, he reported to Naval Air Station Sigonella Security Detachment, Sicily in June, 2003. In August, 2006, he reported to Public/Ordnance Safety Security Force, New London, Groton, Connecticut. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in January, 2008. His awards include, the Bronze Star with “V” device, Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and the Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9926

To be updated…

Born: August 12, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah, died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July, 2002. After graduating from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in February, 2003, he reported for technical training at Great Lakes, Illinois until May of 2003. He then transferred to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment at Keflavik, Iceland and served there until July, 2004. He then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Coronado, California. After completion of BUD/S in 2005, he reported to a West Coast based SEAL Team from November, 2004 to November, 2007. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in November, 2007. His awards include Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 Awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

To be updated…

Born: September 16, 2024 in Oahu, Hawaii
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1996. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in February, 1997, he reported to service school training at Dam Neck, Virginia. After his initial service school training, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training in Coronado, California. After he graduated BUD/S in February of 1998, he reported to a West Coast based SEAL Team where he served until May, 2004. He then reported to the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Detachment at Key West, Florida and departed in February, 2006. Petty Officer Campbell reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in February, 2006. His awards include, the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor, Joint Service Achievement Commendation with “V” device for valor, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense, Global War on Terrorism Service/Expeditionary Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9929

To be updated…

Born: June 5, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He graduated in 1995 from Petoskey High School before embarking on a military career. He enlisted in the Navy in 1996 and completed SEAL training in Coronado, California, in 2000. He moved from the West Coast in 2004 to serve on four East Coast special warfare units. His awards include, the Bronze Star (4) (three with V devices for valor), Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 for valor), Joint Service Achievement Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Navy Good Conduct Medals, Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, NATO Medal, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal and a Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 site 9934

To be updated…

Born: August 2, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. Rob enlisted in the United States Navy on August, 1998. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in November, 1998. Chief Reeves completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in December, 1999. He served on two West Coast based Special Warfare Units from February, 2000 to April, 2004. He served in two East Coast based Special Warfare Units from February, 2004 to August, 2011. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ for valor (4), Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “V” for valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (2), Navy Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

There is a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia that honors CPO Reeves - Sec K Site 265

To be updated…