Born: July 27, 2024 in Clare, Michigan
Died: April 29, 2024 in Al Qadisiyah, Iraq
Spc. Robert M. Friese of Harrison, Michigan graduated from Harrison High School in 2007 where he was active in the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps. He joined the United States Army in May 2009 as a M1 armor crewman and was assigned to Troop I, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, since September 2009. He deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in September of 2010. His awards and decorations include, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. Robert was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and promoted to the rank of Specialist. He died at age 21 in Al Qadisiyah province, Iraq, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade. He leaves his parents, Cindy and Doug Friese, a sister, Crystal a brother, Douglas, and his fiancé, Brittany Minterfering.
Army
1st Squadron
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Hood, Texas
Saint Athanasius Catholic Cemetery in Harrison, Michigan
To be updated…
Born: November 13, 2024 Englewood, Colorado
Died: April 24, 2024 in Badghis, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. David P. Day, 26, of Gaylord, Mich., died April 24 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. David graduated in 2003 from Gaylord High School. He enlisted in the military soon after graduation.
Fairview Cemetery
To be updated…
Born: August 4 1991
Died: April 23, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Dominic J. Ciaramitaro of South Lyon, Michigan is a 2009 graduate of South Lyon High School where he participated in football. He also worked at the South Lyon Hotel and Whitmore Lake Tavern. He joined the Marine Corps in mid fall of 2009 and was promoted to lance corporal January 1, 2011. In late 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards include, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He died at age 19 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his mother, Deborah Beaupre, his father John Ciaramitaro, four sisters, Holly Ciaramitaro, Lucy Ciaramitaro, Elizabeth Peters, Grace Ciaramitaro, and a brother Salvatore Ciaramitaro.
Marines
3rd Battalion
9th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Great Lakes National Cemetery at a future date
To be updated…
Born: December 24, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana
Died: April 6, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Hospitalman Benjamin D. Rast of Mishawaka, Indiana enlisted in the United States Navy in April of 2009. He was assigned in November of 2010 to a Marine unit bound for Afghanistan. His awards include, the National Defense Service Medal, the Pistol Markmanship Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Ben is the son of Robert D. Rast and the late Diane Brodbeck. He leaves his father, Robert (Dolores) Rast, his stepfather, Jerome Tibone, a stepsister, Tamara Wise, and a stepbrother, Timothy Barhydt. He died at age 23 while conducting a dismounted patrol northeast of Patrol Base Alcatraz, Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Navy
1st Battalion
23rd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
Naval Medical Center
Expeditionary Medical Force Detachment
San Diego, California
Burial is at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka, Indiana
To be updated…
Born: February 12, 2024 in Saginaw, Michigan
Died: February 27, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould of Saginaw, Michigan is a 2004 graduate of Valley Lutheran High School. He joined the United States Army in March of 2003 arriving to Fort Knox in October of 2009. He served a total of three deployments, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He received several awards and decorations, including, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Mobilization and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He died at age 25 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
2nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Knox, Kentucky
Burial is at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Carrollton, Michigan
To be updated…
Born: December 9, 2024
Died: November 14, 2024 in Kunar, Afghanistan
Spc. Shane H. Ahmed of Chesterfield, Michigan spent his early years in Wakefield, Rhode Island until his family moved to Bedford, Indiana. The family later relocated to Michigan. Shane was a 1997 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School in Indiana where he was a conscientious student, played varsity football and was a member of the varsity wrestling team. He also helped his peers by tutoring them in some of the more advanced Math and English classes. He was offered scholarships from Rose Hulman University and Butler University and received educational grants from the North Lawrence Foundation, Edward Hutton and Wal-Mart. Shane graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and attended Ohio State University. He joined the Army in April 2007, and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. His Awards and Decorations include, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization device. He leaves his wife, Eva, stepdaughter, Evita, stepson, Evan, and his parents, Jamal and Subra Ahmed and a brother, Asif Ahmed. He died at age 31 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial is at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan - Sec 11 Site 468
To be updated…
Born: October 27, 2024
Died: November 6, 2024 in Kunar, Afghanistan
Pfc. Shane M. Reifert of Cottrellville, Michigan is a 2005 graduate of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. Growing up, he collected military memorabilia and participated in Civil War reenactments. was inspired to enlist in the military by his grandfather’s service in World War II. He joined the Army in August of 2009 and arriving at Fort Campbell in December of 2009. Shane was serving his second deployment to Afghanistan. His awards and decorations include, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Shane is survived by this father, Kurt A. Reifert, and mother, Kathleen M. Reifert and a sister, Elizabeth. He died at age 23 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial is at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan - Sec 3 Site 168
To be updated…
Born: March 29, 2024 in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Death: November 1, 2024 in Hadithah, Iraq
Cpl. Gary A. Koehler of Ypsilanti, Michigan was a Milan High School football and baseball star who later fulfilled his goal of joining the Marine Corps. He graduated in 2003 and had recently married. In football, he was named first team All-Huron League and was the second leading tackler on the team in his senior year. He was first team All-Region in football as well. Gary was a dedicated athlete who volunteered to be deployed to the war a second time even after suffering a gunshot wound 18 months before. He wanted to return to duty in Iraq because he didn’t want to let the guys in his platoon down. Plus, he wanted to do what he could for his country. He married Hilary Moss in a civil ceremony and was planning a formal wedding ceremony at a later date. He leaves his wife, Hillary, his parents, Ron and Mary Goodney Koehler and a brother, Rob. Gary was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Ann Arbor. He was killed at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.
Marines
1st Battalion
8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 8852
Born: February 11, 2024
Died: October 4, 2024 in Mama Kariz, Afghanistan
Spc. Joseph T. Prentler of Fenwick, Michigan is a graduate of Carson City Crystal High School. He is the son of Joe and Tammy Prentler, and the brother of Dakota. Joey died at age 20 in Mama Kariz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his military vehicle using an improvised explosive device.
Army
3rd Squadron
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment
Vilseck, Germany
Burial is at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan - Sec 11 Site 399
To be updated…
Born: April 6, 2024 in Orlando, Florida
Died: October 1, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Sgt. Anthony D. Matteoni of Union City, Michigan spent his early childhood near Disney in Florida. During his formative years he moved with his family to Michigan. It was there that he established lifelong friendships. Tony is a 2006 graduate of Union City High School where he ran track earning his varsity jacket. He enlisted in the Marines in 2006. His Awards and Decorations include, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He leaves behind his wife, Lindsy and their unborn daughter, parents Dennis and Angela Matteoni, and four siblings, Melody, Joseph, Michael and Kyle. He died at age 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Battalion
6th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan - Sec 11 Site 466
To be updated…