Born: August 11, 2024 in Illinois
Died: September 21, 2024 in Zabul, Afghanistan
Lt Col. Robert F. Baldwin of Eliza Township, Illinois is a 1989 graduate of Sherrard High School, and a 1993 graduate of Western Illinois University. He entered the Army in February of 1994 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January of 2007. He was an Aviation Liaison Officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company. His Awards and Decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Senior Army Aviator Badge. He leaves his wife, Danielle, two daughters Rachel and Meaghan, two sons Keegan and Patrick, and his parents Gary and Cheryl Baldwin. He died in a helicopter crash at age 39 during combat operations in Zabul province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was posthumously promoted to Lt. Col.
Army
Brigade Headquarters
101st Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9181
Born: August 17, 2024 in Keokuk, Iowa
Died: February 13, 2024 in Iraq
Sgt Dakotah L. Gooding of Des Moines, Iowa grew up in Keokuk until he moved with his mother to Des Moines when he was about sixteen years old. He attended Scavo Alternative School and Lincoln High School. Known by many as, Koty, he enlisted in the United States Army at age 17. It was something he had wanted to do since he was five years old. His first assignment was to served in Korea before being deployed to Iraq. He leaves his wife, Angela, his mother, Judith Gooding, his father, Kenneth Mason and two sisters, Jessica and Brandi. He killed at age 21 when the vehicle in which he was riding overturned in Balad, Iraq. Also killed were Sgt. Chad W. Lake and Sgt. Rene Knox Jr. Koty had been in Iraq less than three weeks.
Army
5th Squadron
7th Cavalry
3d Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia
Burial is at Effingham Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Georgia
Born: June 27, 2024 in Fort Dodge, Iowa
Died: July 2, 2024 at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland
Capt David A. Wisniewski of Moville, Iowa, is the son of Chet and Beverly Wisniewski. Academically minded and a gifted athlete, he graduated in 1998 from Woodbury Central High School. He then entered the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. In December of 2008 he completed training at the Advanced Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base. David was the pilot of a Air Force Black Hawk Helicopter and had four deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan. David had logged more than 1,500 flight hours, flown 289 combat hours and is credited with saving numerous lives, including several during his most recent deployment to Afghanistan, having rescued 240 soldiers. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. David had been selected to become an instructor at the Advanced Weapons School when his most recent tour was up. He was serving his fifth tour of duty in Afghanistan and was piloting a Black Hawk helicopter on a rescue mission when it was shot down. He died at age 31 at Bethesda Naval Hospital of wounds sustained June 9 in a helicopter crash near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, two brothers, Craig and Matthew, and his fiancée, Melissa Sandberg.
Air Force
66th Rescue Squadron
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9178
Born: October 12, 2024 in Hamburg, Iowa
Died: May 26, 2024 in As Samawah, Iraq
Pvt. 2 Kenneth A. Nalley of Hamburg, Iowa graduated in 2002 from Hamburg High School. A few weeks later he enlisted in the United States Army. At age nineteen, he had already shown to those who knew him that he was committed to the task at hand. After all, in addition to his studies, he had been working at a local full service gas station, Hamburg Oil, for the nearly three years. There, he had a multitude of responsibilities ranging from changing oil, tire repair, and pumping gas. Kenny had also forged a close friendship with a mechanic there, Bob, who had served twenty two years in the Army. Upon Kenny’s death, Bob felt as though he had lost a son. In order to reach his goal of becoming a policeman, Kenny had lived a clean a life. To him, that meant no smoking, no drinking and no drugs. He was killed at age 19 in a vehicle accident in Samawah, Iraq, May 26. He leaves his mother, Roberta Brooks, and his siblings, Danny, David, and Diane, among others.
Army
501st Military Police Company
Wiesbaden, Germany
Burial is at Mount Olive Cemetery in Hamburg, Iowa
Born: April 15, 2024 in Jefferson City, Missouri
Died: June 15, 2024 in Baquah, Iraq
Spc. Christopher W. Opat of Cresco, Iowa grew up on a farm near Lime Springs the son of Leslie and Mary Goodlaxson Opat. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at Lourdes, Iowa. Chris moved with his family to the Lime Springs, Cresco area when he was about a year after his birth. He attended Notre Dame Grade school and graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000. He then earned an Associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College. He was always a hard worker and wasn’t afraid to break a sweat, even as a child. Chris enlisted in the United States Army in 2003, to serve his country and to get money for school. He completed his basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was previously stationed at Babenhausen, Germany. Chris had planned to make a career in the Army. Chris enjoyed fishing with his grandfather and was an avid Hawkeye fan who loved to watch both the Hawkeyes play football and basketball. He also enjoyed cooking and liked to create his own recipes. He was a gentle person with an adventurous spirit. His civilian and military education include, a high school diploma, Military Occupational Specialty 91D- Power Generation Equipment Repairer qualification course, Combatives Level I (2008), and Combat Lifesavers Course. His Awards and Decorations include, the Army Good Conduct Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He leaves his parents, his sisters, Anita, and Melissa, his brothers, Leslie, Phillip and Jason. Chris died at age 29 in Baquah, Iraq of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
Army
1st Squadron
14th Cavalry Regiment
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
2nd Infantry Division
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Burial is at Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Elma, Iowa
Born: November 4, 2024 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Died: August 31, 2024 in Landstuhl, Germany
Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was a graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School and was known as an upbeat, rabble-rousing, ball of fire nicknamed Gilmoe. He joined the Army right out of high school in hopes of getting a college education. His dream was to earn a degree and support his family. Kevin was married on Dec 30 2005 and he and his wife were living in Germany. He was currently on his second deployment in Iraq. He was an independent person who always would look you straight in the eye when communicating. Kevin was preceded in death by his two grandfathers, Leo Unash and Allan Gilbertson. He is the son of Keeley Peters and Don Gilbertson. He also leaves, his wife, Nina and two children. He died at age 24 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations August 29 in Ramadi, Iraq.
Army
1st Battalion
77th Armor Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Scheweinfurt, Germany
Burial is at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Born on Nov. 3, 1990 in Des Moines, Iowa
Died on May 7, 2024 in Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis of Perry, Iowa, was a 2009 Perry High School graduate. He had two dreams when he was growing up. One had to do with his love of the Green Bay Packers football team. He wanted to follow in Brett Favre’s footsteps. But his other dream prevailed, and that was to become a Marine. From an early age Joshua showed he cared about others, a humble leader who was steady and rarely got upset. As a lineman on the football team he was known for watching out for the entire team. He quickly took direction from the coaches and was able to push the rest of the team to do their best. Joshua enlisted in the Marines in March of 2009 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010 and was promoted to Lance Cpl. on May 1. A week later Joshua and his unit came under heavy enemy action and true to his life long commitment to watching out for his friends, even after he was shot, Joshua fought back with heavy machine gun fire. He died as a result of his injuries. Joshua lived his life according to the motto tattooed on his chest, “Death Before Dishonor.” His father Dave and stepmother Patti; his mother Beverly; a brother and two sisters survive him.
Joshua was buried in The Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery near Adel, Iowa.
Born on Mar. 2, 1957 in Marksville, LA
Died on Apr. 22, 2010 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan
John was raised and educated in Marksville and in July of 1975, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served for ten years, stationed in Europe, Africa and southwest Asia and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant on June 25, 1985. The next day John joined the Army reserves. The following autumn he married his wife Lori and together they raised five children. As a civilian John was employed as a supervisor for AMSA in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for over 28 years. He was highly active in in his community and church, teaching and guiding others in their lives. John was a great mentor and disciplinarian, and well respected for his opinions and guidance. Tough and direct, he loved to go hunting and fishing and you were welcome to tag along, as long as you baited your own hooks. The United States flag was important to John. He was known to give new flags to neighbors who were flying faded ones. In 2007 John was promoted to Command Sergeant Major and assigned to the 649th Regional Support Group, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He deployed to Afghanistan along with 50 other soldiers in August of 2009 to provide management and support to other troops there. It was his tenth over seas deployment. At Christmas time, the Reinbeck Iowa Lion’s Club sent care packages to John and his troops. As a thank you, John sent them a United States flag that had flown over the base on Christmas Day. John died of a heart attack after leading soldiers in physical training in Afghanistan at the age of 53 years. He had served his flag and country for 31 of those years. His military decorations include, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, The meritorious Service medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Ribbon with bronze star, The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on terrorism Expeditionary medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Marine Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver star, the NATO international Security Assistance Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation and various other ribbons.
Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein, Iowa.
Born: January 4, 2024 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Died: November 4, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq
Spc Dustin A Yancey, of Goose Creek, South Carolina grew up in a military family and began his early education in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1991 the family moved to South Carolina where Allan graduated in 2001 from Goose Creek High School. While there, he was a member of the Chorus and the JROTC. Following in his father’s steps, he joined the Army in 2003 and was part of a special platoon called Top Flite, an elite group that provided security to military convoys. He was all set to be out of Iraq around the first of December and back home in January 2006. He played guitar, did magic tricks and could disassembled and rebuild computers, and was one of the best Hackey sack players around and was always willing to teach. He is the son of, Sgt 1st Class Tim Yancey and Anita Walton Yancey. In addition to his parents, he also leaves, two brothers Timothy and Robert and two sisters Kimberly and Kelly. While serving in Iraq, he kept a web log. In his last blog entry, Allan wrote: “We have driven hundreds of thousands of miles and we have been blown up and shot at hundreds of times and made many detours discovering new routes along the way in and around Baghdad. What we do here is for the safety of America, the freedom of Iraq and ourselves. I do my job for everyone and no one because I take pride in what I do, and it doesn’t matter who it is helping as long as it helps, if only a little. I’m proud to be a part of the more than 33 soldier group that may not seem like it, but they are all elite people, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, brothers and sisters. We are the backbone of our battalion. We are Top Flite Security and we secure the WORLD.” Dustin was killed at age 22 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during convoy operations in Baghdad. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Heart and Purple Star. Also killed was Capt. James M. Gurbisc.
Army
26th Forward Support Battalion
2nd Brigade
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Stewart, Georgia
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8256
Born Apr. 22, 1967 in Keosauqua, Iowa
Died May 2, 2024 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Trace was a 1985 graduate of Wapello Iowa High School. Lettering in several sports, and taking up his love for golf. From an early age Trace held the traits of a military man, his strong opinions on protecting others, duty and freedom was in his blood. He served in the United States Navy from 1986 until 1992 as a communications specialist/radioman and a diver aboard the USS Guitarro. In 1991 he met Angela Stoffel while he was stationed in California and they eloped six months later. When his service ended they lived in Iowa and Trace worked at several jobs, it was hard for him to get the military out of his blood. Around 2002 he and Angela moved to Florida with their two daughters, Trace worked as a quality control manager for Middlesex Corporation, which is a road and bridge building company. He loved living in Florida; he got to golf year round. In 2003 he enlisted in the Naval Reserves for a couple of reasons. First he was still a military man deep inside. The other reason was he had strong feelings about children and fathers spending time together. In late March, before he left for his deployment to Iraq, he let his daughters know he was leaving them for a short time, but this gave other fathers a chance to come home to their children for a while. He assured his family he was doing the right thing. Trace was assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14- The Seabees. The Seabees provide construction support for the military by constructing base facilities and defensive positions. Using wood, steel, masonry, and concrete, his unit specialized in drilling wells and battle damage repair. Trace was one of five Seabees killed on May 2 when a mortar landed at Camp Fallujah near Ramadi, three weeks after they arrived in Iraq. Besides his wife and two daughters, his parents, a sister and a brother survived Trace.
Trace was buried in Wapello Cemetery in Wapello, Iowa.
