Freedom Remembered

Born: July 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Died: April 3, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Smith, 24, of Licking, Mo., died April 3, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. Smith was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and Parachutist Badge.

Funeral services for Smith are at
2 p.m. Saturday at Pentecostal Holiness Church in Licking.

Visitation for the family is noon to 2 at the church.

His body is scheduled to arrive at Vichy/Rolla airport on Friday morning at 10, and supporters of his family have asked people to line the route from Rolla to the funeral home in Summersville on Friday.

Smith Cemetery

To be updated…

Spc. Jeffrey L. White, Jr., 21, of Catawissa, Mo., died April 3, in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He joined the Army in October 2009, arriving in Alaska in 2010 and went to Afghanistan for his first combat deployment in 2011. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star.

Bell Funeral Home in Pacific is handling the funeral arrangements.

His remains are expected to arrive at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport at
11 a.m. Saturday

Spc. White’s body will then return to Pacific, where people will line Osage Street to greet the procession, which will include his family.

Visitation will be from
4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at
First Baptist Church of Villa Ridge at
51 Highway M in Villa Ridge.

A funeral will be at
11 a.m. Wednesday at the church,
with burial to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: May 6, 2024 in Saint Louis, Missouri
Died: March 15, 2024 in Clarksville, Tennessee

Sgt 1st Class Frederic N Moses of St. Charles, Missouri, died on Thursday, March 15, 2024 at the age of 26. Nic graduated from Duchense High School in St. Charles, Missouri in 2003. He enlisted in the United States Army on 01 June 2024 as an 18X. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant. He deployed with the Battalion Signal Detachment to Taji, Iraq from October 2007 to May 2008 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM V. He went on to join Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha 5326, and deployed with them to Baqubah, Iraq from January through July 2009 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM VI, and conducted a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) exercise to Jordan from January through March 2010. SFC Moses then deployed to Baqubah, Iraq from August 2010 through March 2011 in support of Operation NEW DAWN. Following a short training cycle, he returned to Jordan for a second JCET exercise from October through November 2011. Most recently, SFC Moses deployed to Baghlan-e-Jadid, Afghanistan from January through February 2012 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM XVIII. SFC Moses’ military education includes Airborne School, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Basic Military Mountaineering Course, and the Advanced Special Operations Techniques Course. Beloved son of Fred J. and Jeanie M. Moses; cherished brother of Daniel (Holly) Moses, Paul Moses, Lara (Joseph) Hart, and Elizabeth Moses; prized grandson of Richard and Marilyn Antrobus and the late Ralph and Dorothy Moses; dear uncle of Jillian, Elise and Calvin Hart, and Thomas and Gwenyth Moses. Dear nephew to many aunts and uncles, a treasured cousin, and friend to many.

Burial is at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri - Sec TT Site 1112

The above is from his Obituary. This tribute will be updated.

Born: October 22, 2024 in Missouri
Died: September 28, 2024 in Landstuhl, Germany

First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Lincoln, Mo., died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Sept. 27 in Logar, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Bill is a 1997 graduate of Lincoln High School. He joined the Army in May 1997. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia he was assigned to Fort McNair, Washington D.C., Kelly Barracks in Germany, Fort Drum , New York, returned to Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to Fort Drum in May 2010. He deployed to Bosnia in April 2000 to October 2000, Kuwait from August 2002 to October 2002, Iraq from February 2003 to November 2003 and Afghanistan from February 2006 to November 2006. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan in October 2010. Among his awards and decorations are, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, three NATO Medals, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Senior Parachutist Badge. He completed the following courses: the Senior Leadership Course, the Combatives Level 1 and 2 Course, the Drill Sergeant School, Total Army Instructor Training, Advance Leadership Course, the Pathfinder Course, the Long Range Reconnaissance Course, the Jump Master Course, the Rappel Master Course, the Warrior Leadership Course, the Ranger Course, the Combat Life Savers Course and the Airborne Course.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9731

To be updated…

Born: March 26, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., 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 October, 1999. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in June, 2000, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training in Coronado, California. After graduating BUD/S in January, 2001, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training in Coronado, California and completed the training in June, 2001. He then reported to a West Coast based SEAL Team in July, 2001. In June, 2006, he reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team. His awards include, the Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (2), Presidential Unit Citation (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (6), Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9932

To be updated…

Born: January 26, 2024
Died: June 18, 2024 in Uruzgan, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III of Joplin, Mo., died at age 37 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. Alan L. Snyder, 28, Worcester, Mass., and Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz of Beloit, Wis. SSgt. Dixon enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1992, and later transferred over to the United States Army.

Burial is at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri

To be updated…

Born: November 2, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri
Died: June 14, 2024 in Paktika, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake, Missouri enlisted in the United States Army in October of 2004, completing One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in April 2005, where he served as a rifleman, automatic rifleman, team leader and Ranger squad leader. His awards and decorations include, the Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with one loop, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2 and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart. He died at age 26 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Army
1st Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia

Burial is at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas - Sec I Site 258

To be updated…

Born: April 17, 2024
Died: June 8, 2024 in An Najaf, Iraq

Pfc. Matthew J. England of Gainesville, Missouri died at age 22 in An Najaf province, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. Matt is a 2007 graduate of Lutie High School. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar.

Burial is at Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri - Sec 5 Row 2 Site 17

To be updated…

Born: March 1, 2024 in Rolla, Missouri
Died: May 16, 2024 in Zabul, Afghanistan

Spc. Bradley L. Melton Rolla, Missouri graduated high school in 2000 and joined the United States Army the following October. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), the Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), Driver and Mechanic Badge (Bar, Driver-W, for wheeled vehicles), and the Overseas Service Bar (3 awards). He died at age 29 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device in Zabul province, Afghanistan. Also killed were two others from the same unit, Pvt. Chelzray Pressley of North Charleston, S.C., and Pvt. Lamarol J Tucker of Gainesville, Fla, and Staff Sgt. David D. Self of Pearl, Miss. He leaves his mother and stepfather, Benita and Steven Beem, his father, John Cotner, two sons, Preston and Tristan, two sisters, Amanda and Amber.
Army
Brigade Troops Battalion
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team
25th Infantry Division
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Burial is at Flat Grove Cemetery in Rolla, Missouri

To be updated…

Born: November 15, 2024
Died: April 16, 2024 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Spc. Joseph B. Cemper Warrensburg, Missouri formerly of Papillion, Nebraska died at age 21 at Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an Afghan National Army soldier attacked with multiple grenades. He was assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. He joined the Army in September 2009, arriving at Fort Campbell in February 2010. His awards and decorations include, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Burial is at Cedardale Cemetery in Papillion, Nebraska

To be updated…