Freedom Remembered

Born: June 20, 2024
Died: February 22, 2024

Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, Wash., enlisted in the Marine Corps May 4, 2024 and served as a helicopter crew chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. Lance Cpl. Elliott served as a helicopter chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Elliott enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 4, 2024 and at the time of his death was a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Section D Row C Site 47

To be updated…

Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Wash., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Daniel graduated in 2002 from Ferndale High School. Bartle was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and CH-53 pilot. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps in May 2006, and reported for duty with HMH-363 in July 2011 and promoted to captain the previous year. This was his second to deployment to Afghanistan. His personal awards include two Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO ISAF Medal. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations.

To be updated…

Born: May 28, 2024
Died: January 11, 2024 in Logar, Afghanistan

Pfc. Neil I. Turner of Tacoma, Washington died at age 21 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He graduated from High School in 2008.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Sec 28A Site 66

To be updated…

Born: June 9, 2024
Died: December 21, 2024 in Khowst Afghanistan

Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg of Longview, Washington died at age 21 in Khowst province, Afghanistan. She was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky. Kayla is a graduate of Mark Morris High School and enlisted soon after high school in 2008 to earn money to further her education. Deployed to Afghanistan, she was scheduled to leave around Christmas, arriving back in the states in early 2012. Her awards and decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Sec D Row C Site 7

To be updated…

Born: December 12, 2024 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Died: October 12, 2024 in Bali, Indonesia

Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Michael R. Tatham, 33, of University Place, Washington was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident while on rest and recuperation leave from supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Bali, Indonesia. Tatham was assigned to a West Coast based Naval Special Warfare unit. CPO Tatham enlisted in October 2002. He graduated in April 2004 with Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Class 248 after completing SEAL Qualification Training, and he continued advanced training after reporting to his West Coast-based SEAL team. His military awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal with combat “V,” Joint Service Achievement Medal, four Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals including one with “V,” two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and NATO Service Medal, along with the expert rifle and expert pistol ribbons.

Burial is at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California - Sec CC21A Row 1 Site 35

To be updated…

Born: September 20, 2024
Died: October 10, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick of Enumclaw, Washington died at age 34 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Nathan was a 1996 graduate of Franklin Pierce High School where he played football. He was was a supply specialist with the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Wyrick joined the Army in March 2006. After training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina he was stationed for a short time at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland and then at Fort Lewis, Washington from September 2006 until July 2010 when he came to Fort Drum. He deployed with his unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in March 2011. Sgt Wyrick had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2008 to August 2009. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, five Certificates of Achievement, the Combat Action Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Section 28B Site 239

To be updated…

Born: September 21, 2024 in Redmond, Washington
Died: July 15, 2024 at Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan

Sgt 1st Class Wyatt A. Goldsmith of Colville, Wash., died at age 28 at Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenade fire in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. This was Goldsmith’s 3rd deployment in support of Overseas Contingency Operations. He entered the U.S. Army in June 2004 as a Special Forces recruit. In October 2004, upon completion of basic training, advanced individual training and the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. he was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. Goldsmith attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 2005 and was selected to continue his training as medical sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Staff Sgt. Goldsmith was assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces medical sergeant. His military education includes, the Special Forces Medical Sergeant Course, Military Freefall Parachutist Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Leaders Course, and the Warrior Leader Course. His awards include Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab and Combat Infantryman Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He leaves his parents, John and Lorie Goldsmith, and a sister, Nicole Goldsmith.

Burial is at Calvary Cemetery in Colville, Washington

To be updated…

Born: May 20, 2024 in Illinois
Died: May 29, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Capt. Joseph W. Schultz of Port Angeles, Washington died at age 36 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. His military education includes: the Military Intelligence Officer Course, Infantry Captain Career Course, Defense Strategic Debriefer Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Schultz’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Overseas Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutists Badge. He also wore the Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9519

To be updated…

Born: November 13, 2024 in Cheboygan, Michigan
Died: May 26, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Spc. Adam J. Patton of Port Orchard, Washington joined the United States Army in June 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2008. His awards and decorations include: Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 21 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Army
4th Battalion
101st Aviation Regiment
159th Combat Aviation Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Sunset Lane Memorial Park in Port Orchard, Washington

To be updated…

Born: January 3, 2024
Died: May 22, 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie of Medical Lake, Washington died at age 37 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.
Marines
1st Battalion
63rd Armor
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas

Burial is at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington - Sec B Row B Site 61

To be updated…