Freedom Remembered

Born: January 9, 2024 in Berlin, Germany
Died: February 16, 2024 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II of Russellville, Arkansas died at age 30 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany. He joined the Army in 2000 after graduating from Russellville High School. He served in Iraq, Germany and Korea before being stationed in Afghanistan. He loved the military and planned to make it his career. Sgt Reed spent two weeks at home in October 2011 and planned to return again in early summer of 2012. He was being transferred from Afghanistan to Germany in less than three months.

Burial is at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Hunt, Arkansas

To be updated…

Born: August 30, 2024
Died: January 15, 2024 in Landstuhl, Gemany

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, 34, of Little Rock, Ark., died Jan. 15 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained on Jan. 9 in Balkh province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Ben graduated from West Side Christian High School in 1995 and entered the United States Army in November 2000 as an infantryman. Upon completion of Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2001, he was assigned to the 520th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base LewisMcChord where he deployed to Iraq as a member of the Battalion Scout Platoon from 2003-2004. In 2005, Wise volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and was selected to continue training as medical sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Wise was assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st SFG (A). During his time with the unit, he deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. Wise’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, the Advanced Leader’s Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, the Recon and Surveillance Leadership Course and the Basic Airborne Course. Wise’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rdAward), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. He was currently serving his fourth deployment in support of Overseas
Contingency Operations.

Burial is at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia - Sec 4 Row 26 Site 16

To be updated…

Born: November 3, 2024 in Harrison, Arkansas
Died August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark., 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 May, 1995. He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in August, 1995. Senior Chief Ratzlaff completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in December, 1998. He served in two East Coast based Special Warfare Units from July, 2006 to August, 2011. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor (4 awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy / Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards). He has also been awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (4 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (7 awards), NATO Medal, and both the Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship badges as well as the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist device. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor (5th award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. Senior Chief Ratzlaff was awarded the Star of Military Valor, Canada’s second highest military award for valor, for actions in Afghanistan while supporting Canadian Soldiers. He is only the second American since World War I to be bestowed this honor. He is the son of Nancy Ann Anderson Ratzlaff and the late Benjamin Arthur Ratzlaff. In addition to his mother, he leaves his wife, Andrea, two sons, a daughter due in November 2011, and a sister Julie Adams, among others.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9935

To be updated…

Born: March 23, 2024
Died: March 9, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Cpl. Loren M. Buffalo of Mountain Pine, Arkansas died at age 20 in Kandahar province of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the United States Army in May of 2009 arriving at Fort Campbell the following October. His awards and decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge. He leaves his father and stepmother, Cecil Buffalo and Mary, his mother, Anjanette Buffalo, and his siblings, Legend Beck, Lane Buffalo, Dalton Wetherington, and Kori Wetherington.

Burial is at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Arkansas - Sec G Site 295

To be updated…

Born: October 8, 2024
Died: January 7, 2024 in Logar, Afghanistan

Sgt Ethan C. Hardin of Fayetteville, Arkansas is a graduate of Fayetteville Christian School and a member of the Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. Ethan enlisted in the United States Army in January of 2006. After completing his training he was stationed at Fort Irwin, California and in Germany before arriving to Fort Polk in March of 2010. He previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November of 2008 through October of 2009. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, ,Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 25 of wounds suffered at Logar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He leaves his parents, Thomas and Cecelia Hardin, a brother, Paul D Hardin, two sisters, Adriel Wiggins and Zina Hardin, among others.
Army
2nd Battalion
30th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Polk, Louisiana

Burial is at Round Mountain Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas

To be updated…

Born: May 25, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee
Died: December 1, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Chad S. Wade of Bentonville, Arkansas was currently serving as a rifleman on his third combat deployment. Chad enlisted on October 16, 2024 and was currently serving his second combat deployment, having previously served in Iraq. His awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. He leaves his wife, Katie, his mother, Tami and her husband Terry, his father Terence L. Wade and his wife Crystal,two sisters, Candice Allison, Tia Boyett, two brothers, Trever Boyett and Tristan Wade. He died at age 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Army
2nd Battalion
1st Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas - Section 25C Site 3

To be updated…

Born: April 28, 2024
Died: November 20, 2024 in Qalat, Afghanistan

Spc. David S. Robinson of Fort Smith, Arkansas attended Southside High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 2004 after earning his general equivalency diploma. He served deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He died at age 25 in Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related accident. Scotty leaves his wife, Heidi, a daughter, Madison, two sons, Jerimy and Tyler, his mother and stepfather, Beverly and Steve Brown, his father, David E. Robinson, stepmother, Michelle Robinson, five brothers, Jerrod, Chris, Shelby, Bill and Steven, and three sisters, Amber, Heather and Tara.
Army
2nd Squadron
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Vilseck, Germany

Burial is at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas - Sec 23 Site 52

To be updated…

Born: August 29, 2024 in Tampa, Florida
Died: October 14, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Irvin M. Ceniceros of Clarksville, Arkansas is the youngest of four children. He spent his early years in Tampa, and moved with his family in 2002 to Arkansas. Irvin is a 2007 Clarksville High School graduate and played tennis and football. He signed up for the Marines in August of 2007 and began boot camp in September of 2007. His awards and decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He leaves his parents, Ignacio Ceneceros and Maria A. Armendaniz, his sister, Karla, two brothers, Ivan and Abraham Ceniceros. He died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. In late fall of 2011, LCpl Ceniceros will posthumously be awarded the Silver Star. His page will be updated at that time.
Marines
3rd Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is in Porreon, Mexico

To be updated…

Born: January 3, 2024
Died: October 21, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse M. Samek of Rogers, Arkansas graduated from Rogers High School in 2001 and attended the University of Arkansas for a year before deciding to join the Air Force. He was a great outdoorsman. He loved camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and snow and waterskiing. He played recreational hockey as a goalie. He worked for months in a training program, and became a member of an elite group that qualified for the rescue duty as a flight engineer on a HH-60 Para Rescue helicopter. He leaves his parents, Gavin and Julia Samek, and his brother, Benjamin Samek. Jesse died at age 21 from injuries he received when an Air Force HH-60 helicopter aircraft crashed during a medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. Jesse was an avid Cardinals and Blues fan. Nellis AFB named the Nellis Airmen’s Center in honor of Jesse who was the base’s first post 9-11 combat death. The center is now called the Jesse M. Samek Airmen’s Center. It is a recreational facility for airmen to congregate for entertainment and relaxation.
Air Force
66th Rescue Squadron
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Burial is at Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery in Bella Vista, Arkansas - Sec 4 Row 4

Born: September 17, 2024 in Berryville, Arkansas
Died: August 29, 2024 in Nangahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Bryn T. Raver of Harrison, Arkansas is the son of Charles and the late Sandra R. Shook. He entered the Army in February 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2008 where he served as a military policeman. His Awards and Decorations include, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and weapons qualification, M4 expert. He leaves his wife, Pvt. Kellie S. Raver, daughter Elisha, and his father, Charles B. Raver, two brothers, Justin and Brandon. Bryn was of the Baptist Faith. Bryn loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, 4-wheelers, racing and being with friends and family. He died at age 20 at Nangahar, Afghanistan, of wound sustained when their military vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenade on Aug. 28 at Nangahar, Afghanistan.
Army
1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Silver Hill Cemetery in Tyler Bend, Arkansas

To be updated…