Freedom Remembered

Born: August 8, 2024 in Hammond, Indiana
Died: September 8, 2024 in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul of The Dalles, Oregon served in Iraq, and in the Peace Corps. Bob was originally from the Chicago area. But in 1998 he moved to Oregon to become an urban planner for Wasco County. He joined the Army Reserve in 1997, two years after receiving a master’s degree in planning and economic development from the University of Maryland. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He is the son of Esther Perez Paul and Sheldon Paul, fond former husband of Bonnie Paul, father of Ilena Paul, dear brother of Monica and Debra Paul. He was 43. Also killed in the attack was SFC Merideth L. Howard.
Army
Reserve
405th Civil Affairs Battalion
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Burial information is unknown at this time.

Born: February 7, 2024
Died: February 18, 2024 in Djibouti

1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Oregon was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He died February 18 when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. He entered the Air Force in 2009, receiving his commission through the Air Force Academy. 1st Lieutenant Wilkiens was a combat systems officer serving his third deployment. He had been assigned to the 34th SOS at Hurlburt Field since April 2011 and had more than 400 combat hours. Also killed were: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga., and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.

Burial is at Pilot Butte Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: March 20. 1990
Died: November 26, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Cpl. Adam J. Buyes, 21, of Salem, Ore., died Nov 26 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Adam attended Douglas McKay High School, graduating in 2008. While a student, he was a member of the bowling team, track and field team and football team. Serving as a field radio operator, Adam joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 12, 2009. He arrived on Okinawa Sept. 10, 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in May. His service awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Korean Defense Service Medal. He died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, Carla and Michael Buyes, his sister, Rachel Buyes, three brothers, Anthony, Joshua and Tyler Buyes.

Restlawn Memory Gardens

To be updated…

Born: December 19, 2024 in Scappoose, Oregon
Died: September 13, 2024 in Wardak, Afghuanistan

Master Sgt Danial R. Adams of Portland, Oregon died at age 35 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fires. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Stuttgart, Germany. MSgt Adams joined the Army in 1995 as an infantryman, where he served with distinction as a team and squad leader while stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska. After a short assignment at Fort Lewis, Wash., as a squad leader with 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment Adams earned the Green Beret in 2005. His first Special Forces assignment was as a senior medical sergeant with the 3rd SFG (A) at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 2009, he joined 1st Bn., 10th SFG (A), located in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served on a Special Forces team. His major military education includes, Airborne School, Jungle Warfare School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp (4 Loops), the National Defense Service Medal with 1 service star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with the Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Expert Infantryman’s Badge.

Burial information is unknown at this time.

To be updated…

Born: February 3, 2024 in Escondido, California
Died: July 16, 2024 in Portland, Oregon

Spc Matthew M. Brennan attended Tualatin High School and graduated from the Oregon Youth Challenge Program in 2007. Matt enlisted in the Oregon Air National Guard, then transferred to the Army National Guard about a year later. He served a tour of duty in Iraq. He is the son of Michael and Maria Brennan. In addition to his parents, he also leaves seven brothers and sisters, Scott, Jared, Christina, Ariel, Aiden, Sophia, and Isabella.

Burial is at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon - Sec EE3 Site 2533

To be updated…

Born: July 4, 2024
Died: August 11, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Hospitalman Ryley Gallinger-Long of Cornelius, Oregon is a 2010 graduate of Forest Grove High School. He was recently married and was serving his first deployment where he had been since mid July 2011. He died at age 19 while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Marjah district, Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Navy
attached to
1st Battalion
6th Marines
Regimental Combat Team 1
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon - Sec EE4 Site 1736

To be updated…

Born: December 7, 2024 in Albany, Oregon
Died: April 27, 2024 in Babil, Iraq

Spc. Andrew E. Lara of Albany, Oregon is a 2004 graduate of South Albany High School. Drew enlisted in the Army National Guard June of 2009, and upon returning from basic training reported for duty in Woodburn. He died at age 25 of a noncombat related incident, in Babil province, Iraq. He leaves his parents, Ramiro and Lynn Lara, his young daughter, KayLynn and her mother, Dorothy Justice, and a brother, Joshua Lara, who was also serving as an active member of the Oregon National Guard.
Army
National Guard
F Company
145th Brigade Support Battalion
attached to the
3rd Battalion
116th Cavalry Regiment

Burial is at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany, Oregon

To be updated…

Born: May 20, 2024
Died: February 18, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Sgt. Matthew J. Deyoung of Talent, Oregon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November of 2004, and promoted to the rank of sergeant in June of 2008. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2006 to August 2006, and again from October 2007 to May 2008. Most recently, he depoyed to Afghanistan in November of 2010. His awards include, the Purple Heart with a gold star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal with a bronze star, National Defence Ribbon, Afghan Campaign with a bronze star, Iraq Campaign with two bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars, NATO Isaf-Afghanistan award, Navy/Marine Corps Parachute Insignia, Rival Expert 4th Award and Pistol Expert Award. He died at age 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Burial is at Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon - Sec 28 Site 254

To be updated…

Born: December 3, 2024 in Salem, Oregon
Died: October 16, 2024 in Afghanistan

Sgt. Ian M. Tawney of Dallas, Oregon is a 2003 graduate of Dallas High School. Two years later he joined the United States Marine Corps in March of 2005 and was married that following July to Ashley Stevenson. An avid Beaver fan, he loved watching football. He also liked watching movies, hunting, snowboarding and riding motorcycles. In the Marines, he served as a squad leader, and was a Marine firearms and martial arts instructor. Ian graduated at the top of his Squad Leader course and was recognized as the class Honor Man. His Awards and Decorations include, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Humanitarian Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. He had attended the First Presbyterian Church. Ian leaves his wife, Ashley, his parents, John and Theda Tawney, brothers, Shayne Chandler and Jacob Tawney, three sisters, Stacy, Karin and Karla. He died at age 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Ian was serving his fifth tour of duty overseas.
Marines
3rd Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Dallas Cemetery in Dallas, Oregon

Born: October 19, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon
Died: October 13, 2024 in Helmand, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald of Albany, Oregon is a 2007 graduate of South Albany High School. He enlisted in the United States Marines that same year. He leaves his mother, Jacque Brotherton, his father and stepmother, John and Barbara Rodewald, three brothers, John II, Josh and Josiah, and his domestic partner, Kandi Hargett. He died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Marines
3rd Battalion
5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Pendleton, California

Burial is at Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Oregon

To be updated…