Capt. Michael M. Quin, 28, of Purcellville, Va, UH-1Y Huey pilot attended two years of high school in Pennsylvania before graduating in Virginia. Michael joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006 and chose it following Sept. 11, 2001, while still attending high school. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2006, Quin was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended flight school in Pensacola, Fla. and in 2008 was “winged” as a naval aviator. He was then subsequently assigned to a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, HMLA 469, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Captain Quin was preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan this spring and was looking forward to the mission. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9967
To be updated…
Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa., was assigned to the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He died Jan. 5 in Shir ghazi, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Bryan is a 2006 graduate of Harbor Creek High School. He joined the Air Force in 2006 and was currently serving in Afghanistan where he had been since the beginning of November 2011. He served in the United States Air Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal division. A job that was portrayed in the film, ‘The Hurt Locker’.
Funeral procession plans announced and provided by GoErie.com
Bell’s funeral is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. at:
Harbor Creek High School
6375 Buffalo Road
The procession is scheduled to depart the high school between 11:45 a.m. and noon. The procession will head to Depot Road, east on Route 20, west on Iroquois Avenue, north on Walbridge Road, west on Route 5 (East Lake Road), south on Nagle Road, west on Station Road and south on Shannon Road to Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery, 2601 Norcross Road.
Calling hours are scheduled on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the gymnasium at Harbor Creek High School.
State police from Lawrence Park Township advise that any motorists traveling on Route 20 in Harborcreek Township or on the Bayfront Highway during the procession may experience delays.
To be updated…
Born: June 6, 2024
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan
Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa., 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.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9925
To be updated…
Born: June 27, 2024 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of Red Lion, Penn., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C. He died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. Dan is a 2001 graduate of Red Lion High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force the following August serving as a Technical Sergeant in the Pararescue Unit. He graduated from Red Lion in 2001 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a technical sergeant in the pararescue unit.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9940
To be updated…
Born: July 10, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia
Died: July 31, 2024 in Herat, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin of Moscow, Pennsylvania is a 2000 graduate of North Pocono High School. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. His military education includes, Civil Air Patrol, Marine Boot Camp, Infantry School, Basic Reconnaissance School, Ranger Jump School, Sniper School, Scuba School, Deep Sea Dive School Survival School, Crane Armament Course, in addition to many other in house specialty training. He was married on December 12, 2008. He died at age 29 while supporting combat operations in Herat province, Afghanistan. He leaves his wife, Lindsey N. Granza, his father and stepmother, Tom G. Dolphin and Sherri, his mother and stepfather, Jean Golden Uffalussy and Rick, and a brother, Thomas B. Dolphin.
Marines
2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion
Marine Special Operations Regiment
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, Pennsylvania
To be updated…
Born: February 3, 2024 in Washington, DC
Died: July 31, 2024 in Herat, Afghanistan
Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle of Dallastown, Pennsylvania died at age 29 while supporting combat operations in Herat 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. He is a 2001 graduate of Dallastown High School. His awards and decorations include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service
Burial is at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens in York, Pennsylvania
To be updated…
Born: December 30, 2023
Died: July 18, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Brian K. Mowery of Halifax, Pennsylvania is a 1980 graduate of Central Dauphin High School near Harrisburg. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1979 to 1985. After a 15-year break, Mowery joined the Army National Guard in 2000. He served in the Pennsylvania National Guard as an infantry team leader and a motor transport operator. Sgt Mowery served for several months in Kosovo from 2003 to 2004 with the Kutztown based Company C, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment. His awards include, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Kosovo Campaign Medal and the Governor’s Unit Citation. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He died at age 49 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device.
Army
National Guard
131st Transportation Company
213th Area Support Group
Williamstown, Pennsylvania
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania
To be updated…
Born: August 3, 2024
Died: July 18, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen of Kane, Pa., died at age 30 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 131st Transportation Company, 213th Area Support Group, Williamstown, Pa. Ken is a 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School. After enlisting in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a fuel and electrical systems repair specialist in 1999, VanGiesen went on to become a heavy-vehicle driver, light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, and armament repairman. Staff Sgt Vangiesen was on his fourth active duty tour. He previously served in Germany from 2002 to 2003, Iraq from 2005 to 2006 with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 2009 with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. His awards include two Army Commendation Medals, Combat Action Badge, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and two Navy Unit Commendations. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He leaves his parents, Thomas A. and Susan J. Proashas VanGiesen, his girlfriend, Erin Sirianni with whom he shared a home, his sister, Amie Gullifer a brother, Matt VanGiesen and his dog, Bandit.
Burial is at Gibbs Hill Cemetery in Ludlow, Pennsylvania
To be updated…
Master Sgt. Kenneth B. Elwell, 33, of Holland, Pa., died July 17, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Ken is a graduate of Council Rock High School-North and couldn’t wait to embark on his military career. He joined the Army in October 1997 and served at Fort Riley, Kansas, Korea and Fort Benning, Georgia, before arriving at Fort Wainwright in March. He had two previous deployments to Iraq, as well as a deployment to Bosnia.
Arlington National Cemetery
To be updated…
Born: May 30, 2024
Died: July 18, 2024 in Ghazni, Afghanistan
Sgt. Edward W. Koehler of Ringgold, Georgia and Lebanon, Pennsylvania was a 1982 graduate of Lebanon High School. After serving with the Marine Corps from 1982 to 1988, he took a 10-year break from service. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1997 as a motor transport operator, serving his entire Guard career in the 131st Transportation Company. Serving also with them in Kuwait and Iraq from 2003 to 2004. His awards include, the Combat Action Badge, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Governor’s Unit Citation. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He died at age 47 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his convoy with an improvised explosive device. He leaves his wife, Cheryl, three daughters, Shelbi, Toby and Kayla Koehler, his mother, Ruthie Koehler, and two sisters, Elaine Dietz and Nicole McCabe.
Army
National Guard
131st Transportation Company
213th Area Support Group
Williamstown, Pennsylvania
Burial is at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Ringgold, Georgia
To be updated…