Freedom Remembered

Born: November 28, 2024
Died: June 7, 2024 in Konar, Afghanistan

1st Sgt. Robert N. Barton of Roxie, Mississippi graduated in 1993 from Franklin High School, where he was a member of the football team. The following year he enlisted in the United States Army. He was deployed to Afghanistan on April 24 2010 to Afghanistan. He was just four years away four years retiring. Robert and his wife, Rebecca had been married for one year. His Awards and Decorations include, Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Army Achievement Medal (3 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award (2 awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (5 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards); Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (2 awards), Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (level 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3 awards), NATO Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault badge and Weapons Qualification, M4-(expert). He leaves his wife, Rebecca, his father, Robert Barton, his mother, Rebecca Paugh a stepson, Jason, his brother, Nathan Coleman and a half-sister and half-brother. He died at age 35 in Konar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, Kentucky - Sec 06 Site 0423

Born: August 22, 2024
Died: April 27, 2024 in Germany

Sgt. Anthony O. Magee of Hattiesburg, Mississippi graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1999. He died at age 29 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, of wounds sustained April 24 when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire at Contingency Operating Base Kalsu, Iskandariyah, Iraq. He leaves his wife, Courtney Lee-Magee, his father, Tony Davis, his mother, Patricia Davis a son, Kameron Johnson, two brothers, Dominique Magee and Emmanueal LeRon Magee and a sister, Marcia ‘Monica’ LaTricia Duncan. He was preceded in death by a son, Anthony O’Neal Magee Jr.
Army
2nd Battalion
69th Armor Regiment
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Benning, Georgia

Burial is at Venia Park Cemetery in Collins, Mississippi

Born: July 21, 2024
Died: February 27, 2024 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. William S. Ricketts of Corinth, Mississippi is a 2000 graduate of Alcorn Central High School where he was a member of the school band. He enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of September of 2001, just a day after the events of 9-11. He already served two tours in Iraq and was currently serving his third tour in Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations included, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, The National Defense Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the NATO Medal, and the Parachutist Badge with Combat Star. He leaves his wife, Rose, and two sons, Aiden and Cullen, and his parents, William and Sandra Ricketts, a sister, Tiffany and a brother, Ben. His third child was due in the summer of 2010, and he was looking forward to being back stateside for the birth. He died at age 27 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial is at Corinth National Cemetery in Corinth, Mississippi

Born on Apr. 29, 1985 in Fort Gordon, GA
Died on Aug. 2, 2007 in Kala Gush, Afghanistan

Sgt. Taurean Tranvanti Harris of Liberty, Mississippi. Taurean’s mother was raising her children on the south side of Chicago and realized it was no place she wished to do this. So she moved her family to the small town of Liberty, Mississippi, population 600. Everyone knew everyone, so if her children were to get into any kind of trouble, she knew she’d hear about it. Taurean did her proud. He was an honor roll student and member of the Junior ROTC at Amite County High for four years. He formed a strong bond with the ROTC leader, Major David Terrell and having him as a role model, and a mother who worked as a correctional officer, Taurean was guided in the right direction. With his imposing size (he stood 5′ 11″ and was 215 pounds) Taurean was not someone people took lightly. But when he smiled, you couldn’t help but notice two of his front teeth were gold and know that his heart, although you couldn’t see it, was also made of gold. He enlisted in the army shortly after graduating in 2003. Taurean had an angel in his life, and that was his daughter. Her birth changed him; he said she was his personal hero. “She has truly saved my life. She gave it purpose and meaning.” Taurean felt “Life is a lesson. You can learn the easy way or the hard way, it’s your choice. Choose wisely… I then made my choice.” In the Army he never quit, constantly wanting to do the best he could, and accomplishing that. Originally posted at Fort Bliss, in October 2006 he was assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In the little time he spent there, Taurean made a lasting impression on his commander. Not only for the dedication to his job, but also for the love he had for his little girl, whom he loved to talk about. Taurean deployed to Afghanistan in December 2006, living in the mountains and desolate villages of northern Afghanistan. Infantry soldiers stationed there were impressed with Taurean’s abilities as a soldier, even though he was military intelligence (who are jokingly thought of as not “real soldiers”) but he proved them wrong. Taurean was killed in action by an improvised explosive device four months before he was supposed to come home for Christmas. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart posthumously. Besides his daughter, his mother, Yolanda Wagner; his father, Sgt. Cecil Harris; two sisters and four brothers survived him. His dream was to buy a house in Augusta, Georgia and raise his angel there. He also wished to achieve the rank of Sergeant Major and study electrical engineering.

Sgt. Harris was laid to rest in West Jerusalem Cemetery in Liberty, Mississippi.

Born: October 8, 2024
Died: March 25, 2024 in Afghanistan

Sgt 1st Class Christopher L. Robinson of Brandon, Mississippi graduated from Madison High School, and enlisted in the United States Army soon after. He came from a long line of soldiers, including his father, who also served in the Army. Growing up, Chris often read military books and had dreams of someday serving. Before he shipped out he told his father he was prepared to give his life for his country. Chris had previously deployed with his Special Forces unit to Bolivia, Argentina and Kosovo before his tour in Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Argentinean Parachutist Badge, Bolivian Jumpmaster Parachutist Badge, Italian Parachutist Badge, Paraguayan Parachutist Badge, Peruvian Parachutist Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge and Special Forces Tab. The Eagle Scout loved sky diving, hunting, fishing and water sports. He a leaves a wife, Tamara, two children, Savannah and Patrick, his Aunt Ola Buntin and his parents, Mary and George Robinson and a sister, Denise. Christopher was the first Mississippi National Guard soldier to die in Afghanistan since the U.S. led invasion began in 2001. He was killed at age 36 when his Humvee came under enemy small arms fire during combat operations in Sangain District, Afghanistan.
Army
National Guard
2nd Battalion,
20th Special Forces Group,
Jackson, Mississippi

Burial is at Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery in Madison, Mississippi.

Born: July 24, 2024
Died: April 7, 2024 in Mosul, Iraq

Spc. W. Anthony Blount of Hattiesburg, Mississippi was a 2007 Petal High School graduate where he was a hard-working and conscientious student. He was an outgoing and popular guy who taught himself to play the guitar. He loved baseball especially the Atlanta Braves, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Anthony was a good Christian and was not afraid to say it or to stand up for his faith. He also loved playing video games. His wife, Amanda, is eight months pregnant with their daughter, Avery and he was scheduled for a leave to be home for her birth. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He died at age 21 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He leaves his wife, Amanda, a daughter, Avery, his parents, Billy and Kay Blount and two sisters, Laken and Lori.
Army
1st Battalion
64th Armor Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
Fort Stewart, Georgia

Burial is at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Birth: November 3, 2024 - Shubuta, Mississippi
Died: November 15, 2024 - Mosul, Iraq

Pfc Heidelberg was assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an administrative specialist. He died when a pair of Black Hawk helicopters collided in mid-air over a residential suburb. It appears that one of the aircraft was hit on the tail wing by a rocket-propelled grenade. Damian attended Quitman High School and then entered the military in 2002 as a way to better his life and his family’s life. He deployed with his unit to Iraq in February 2003.

Burial: New Hope Cemetery, Quitman, Mississippi

Born: October 1, 2024
Died: November 16 2005 in Ubaydi, Iraq

Lance Cpl. Roger W. Deeds of Biloxi, Mississippi moved with his mother and siblings from Germany to Truman, Minnesota, his mother’s home town, in the early 1990s. He attended school in Truman from third grade through eighth grade. At age 14, he went to live with his father and attended school in New Mexico. He later moved to Biloxi and attended Biloxi High School where he graduated in 2000. It was in high school where he met his future wife, Sarah. Roger joined the United States Marines in November 2003. In October of 2004 he came home to see his son, Alaric for the first time; the baby had been born in July of 2004, a month after Roger first left for Iraq. A second child, daughter, Mikaleigh, was born in September, two months after Roger returned to Iraq. Roger never got to meet his newborn daughter. In addition to his wife, and children he is survived by his father, Scott Deeds, mother, Joyce Deeds; and a sister, Gina McKnight. Roger was killed at age 24 by enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operati
Marines
Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion
1st Marine Regiment
13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi - Sec BB Site 6

Born: November 19, 2024
Died: September 29, 2024 in Jolo Island, the Philippines

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw of Natchez, Mississippi enlisted in the United States Army reserve Nov. 22, 1994 while attending Texas Southern University in Houston on a track and field scholarship. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey. In May 1995, he decided to put his education on hold and joined the active-duty Army as a forward observer. Upon completion of basic training, advanced individual training, and the Army Airborne School, he was assigned as a fire support specialist. In 1997, Chris volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 1999. He later served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and subsequently returned to Fort Lewis. His military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army Jumpmaster Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit citation. He earned the Special Forces tab, Ranger tab and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He is survived by his wife Attina and their children Darian, Erielle, Jalyn, Dante and Cydney. He is also survived by his mother and step-father Camille and Willie Felton; his father Walter Owens; two brothers, Orlando Shaw and Maurey Owens; and two sisters Kenya Shaw and Gwen Owens. Chris was serving his second deployment to The Philippines. He died at age 37 in Jolo Island, the Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised-explosive device. He leaves his wife, Attina, his children, Darian Shaw, Erielle Smith, Jalyn Smith, Dante Shaw and Cydney Shaw, his mother and stepfather, Camille and Willie Felton, his father Walter Owens, two brothers, Orlando Shaw and Maurey Owens, and two sisters, Kenya Shaw and Gwen Owens.
Army
3rd Battalion
1st Special Forces Group
Fort Lewis, Washington

Burial is at Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi - Sec S Site 120

Birth: September 7, 2024
Died: August 21, 2024 in Kunar, Afghanistan

Sgt Ingram was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. He died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle and his unit came under small fire from enemy forces during an ambush. He attended Newton County High School where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. Despite dropping out of school, Matthew still wanted to achieve and decided the Army was a way to see the world and pay for college. In 2003, he enlisted in the Army and served two rotations in Iraq and in Afghanistan from May 26, 2024 until his death. Matthew received numerous awards including Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; two Army Good Conduct Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. He also had a Purple Heart for injuries he received when a roadside bomb or grenade exploded inside a humvee that he was in.

Burial is at Antioch Church Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi