Freedom Remembered

Born: August 14, 2024
Died: January 18, 2024 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Norwood, Mass., died Jan. 18, in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany. He is a 2002 graduate of Norwood High School. Serving as a medic, Keith was interested in becoming an EMT after the military.

Burial is at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts - Sec 59 Site 21

To be updated…

Born: July 8, 2024
Died: October 23, 2024 in Silver Spring, Maryland

Sgt. Edward S. Grace of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts died at age 39 in Silver Spring, Md., from a non-combat illness. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Massachusetts National Guard, Braintree, Mass. He enlisted in July of 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan in late winter of 2011 for a one-year mission. His unit was conducting both vehicle and foot patrols in support of the reconstruction team. The unit was scheduled to return early next year.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9753

To be updated…

Born: May 27, 2024 in Weymouth, Massachusetts
Died: September 28, 2024 in Ghanzi, Afghanistan

Spc. Steven E. Gutowski of Plymouth, Massachusetts died at age 24 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He enlisted in the Army in December 2008 and did both his basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, graduating in April 2009. He was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion in May 2009 and served as combat engineer in the 515th Sapper Company, with which he deployed to Afghanistan in February of 2011. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge.

Burial is at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts - Sec 16 Site 1220

To be updated…

Born: December 6, 2024 in Weymouth, Massachusetts
Died: August 23, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele of Duxbury, Mass., died at age 25 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. He is a 2004 graduate of Duxbury High School and a graduate of West Point. 1st Lt Steele received his commission in May 2009, after graduating from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. Steele came to Fort Drum in August 2010. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Medal, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.

United States Military Academy Post Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: September 20, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston of West Hyannisport, Mass., died at age 35 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 January, 1995. After completion of Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois in April, 1995, he attended Service School Training at Lemoore, California in May, 1995. He then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 195 in Yokosuka, Japan in June, 1995. After serving in Japan, he reported to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 2 at North Island, California in July, 1996. He then attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training at Coronado, California. After graduating BUD/S, he was assigned to an East Coast based SEAL Team in May, 1999. In December, 2005, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. In January, 2008 he reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ device for valor (2), Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device for valor, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Battle “E” Rbbon,Navy ‘E’ Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9931

To be updated…

Born: May 10, 2024 in Winchester, Massachusetts
Died: July 18, 2024 at Fort Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska

Spc Christopher R. Crosby of Wilmington, Massachusetts graduated in 2006 from Wilmington High School. Chris was an avid athlete, playing soccer from kindergarten with the Wilmington Youth Soccer program right through high school as a member of the Wilmington Wildcats Soccer Team. He was also was a member of the Wilmington High School Spring and Winter track teams for all four years of High School. Chris went on to further his education at Worcester State College before enlisting in the United States Army in 2008. He loved serving in the Army and felt that he had found his purpose and calling in life. He excelled in Special Forces training. Chris had a wonderful personality and people were drawn to him, he had a great sense of humor and was always joking around with his family and friends. He loved his family unconditionally, he enjoyed family holidays and their many family trips to Disney World in Florida. He was proud of his Italian/Irish Heritage and loved a good corned beef and cabbage dinner. Chris also had a large extended family and was especially close to his many aunts, uncles, and cousins, they always had a great time when everyone was together. He was a true and loyal friend, he made friendships as a youngster that would last throughout his entire life and will be fondly remembered for his devotion and love to his family, friends, and his country. He died at age 23 unexpectedly at Fort Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The only son of Robert L. and Donna M. Ricci Crosby also leaves his two sisters, Kelly and Kristin, among others.
Army
1st Battalion
501st Infantry Regiment
4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Fort Richardson, Alaska

Burial is at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Massachusetts

The above is from his obituary.

Born: July 5, 2024 Weymouth, Massachusetts
Died: June 26, 2024 in Wasit, Iraq

Sgt. Matthew R. Gallagher of North Falmouth, Massachusetts entered active-duty service in October 2008. He was deployed in support of Operation New Dawn, and had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2009 to November 2009. His awards and decorations include an Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with combat service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Combat Action Badge. He died at age 22 in Wasit province, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident.
Army
6th Squadron
9th Cavalry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division
Fort Hood, Texas

Burial is at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts - Sec 59 Site 22

To be updated…

Born: June 11, 2024
Died: June 18, 2024 in Uruzgan, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Alan L. Snyder, 28, Blackstone, Mass., died at age 28 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered during a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany. Also killed were, Sgt. 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright of Lodge, S.C.; Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz of Beloit, Wis.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9721

To be updated…

Born: April 14, 2024 in Concord, Massachusetts
Died: June 7, 2024 in Badghis, Afghanistan

Sgt. William J. Woitowicz, 23, of Groton, Mass., died June 7 while conducting combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Billy is a 2007 of Groton-Dunstable High School. His awards and decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal. Woitowicz also earned the Army parachutist wings and a brown belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.

Burial is at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts

To be updated…

Born: December 10, 2024 in Worcester, Massachusetts
Died: April 27, 2024 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan

Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Mass., died April 27, at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from gunfire. He was assigned to the 11th Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. David is a 1999 graduate of the Air Force Academy. He deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011 where he was an adviser to the Afghan Command and Control center under NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan.

United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs

To be updated…