This area is dedicated to those who sacrificed all in the name of freedom.

We remember them, always.

 


Fallen Defenders since 9-11.  Click image for full resolution poster.

Top Row: 

Airman First Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, was killed on a convoy near Camp Bucca, Iraq, on 28 Sep 2005 when her vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. A1C Jacobson was the first female Airman and the first Security Forces Airman killed in the line of duty supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, TX.

Staff Sergeant Brian McElroy, 28, was killed on 22 Jan 2006, when his armored Humvee hit a roadside bomb near Taji, Iraq north of Baghdad while performing duties for the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. SSgt McElroy, a native of San Antonio, TX, worked as Information Security Specialist with the 3d Security Forces Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK.

Technical Sergeant Jason L. Norton, 32, was killed on 22 Jan 2006 when his armored Humvee hit a roadside bomb near Taji, Iraq north of Baghdad while performing duties for the 586thExpeditionary Mission Support Group. TSgt Norton, served as a patrol K-9 officer and military working dog trainer with the 3d Security Forces Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK. 

Airman First Class Leebernard E. Chavis, 21, assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, was killed by enemy gunfire 14 Oct 2006 in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq. A1C Chavis was performing duties as a member of a U.S. military Police Transition Team supporting Iraqi police at the time of his death. He was assigned to the 820th Security Forces Group, Moody AFB, GA.

Staff Sergeant John T. Self, 29, was killed on 14 May 2007 while on his 79th combat patrol as fire team leader assisting Iraqis to take back the streets of Baghdad. An improvised explosive device detonated killing him and wounding three fellow Airmen. SSgt Self was in a Police Transition Team for the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and assigned to the 314th Security Forces Squadron, Little Rock AFB, AR.

Airman First Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, died in Iraq 23 Jun 2007 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. A1C Nathan was assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Camp Speicher, Iraq performing Police Transition Team duties with his squad. He was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

Staff Sergeant Travis L. Griffin, 28, was killed in action on 3 Apr 2008 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad. SSgt Griffin was on his fourth Iraq tour and temporarily assigned to the Multinational Force in Iraq. He was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM. 

Second Row:

First Lieutenant Joseph D. Helton, 24, died 8 Sep 2009 while on patrol near Baghdad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded close to his vehicle. 1Lt Helton was the first security forces officer killed in Iraq or Afghanistan and performing duties as Flight Commander for the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. 1Lt Helton was deployed from the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill AFB, FL.

Senior Airman Nicholas Alden, 25, was shot and killed 2 Mar 2011 while sitting, unarmed with other deploying Airmen, on a bus at Frankfurt International Air Terminal, Germany while enroute to Afghanistan. The shooter admitted to targeting Americans and charged on the bus with a handgun and began shooting. SrA Alden, was assigned to 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

Staff Sergeant Todd "TJ" Lobraico, 22, was killed in action on 5 Sep 2013, in Afghanistan during an off-base combat operation and died from multiple gunshots received during a firefight near Bagram Airfield. SSgt Lobraico was worked in the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron while deployed to Afghanistan and was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron, Stewart ANGB, NY.

A1C Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, was killed on 2 Oct 2015, when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft she was on crashed shortly after takeoff from Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. She was deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing as Fly Away Security Team member as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and was assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA.

SrA Nathan C. Sartain, 29, was killed on 2 Oct 2015, when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft he was on crashed shortly after takeoff from Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. He was deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing as Fly Away Security Team member as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and was assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA.

TSgt Joseph G. Lemm, 45, was killed on 21 December 2015 when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden motorcycle into a joint patrol with Afghan security forces outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He deployed with the 824th Base Defense Squadron and was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron, Stewart ANGB, NY.

SSgt Louis M. Bonacasa, 31, was killed on 21 December 2015 when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden motorcycle into a joint patrol with Afghan security forces outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He deployed with the 824th Base Defense Squadron and was assigned to the 105th Security Forces Squadron, Stewart ANGB, NY.

Not Pictured:

SrA Jason Khai Phan died, 12 September 2020,  as a result of a vehicle accident in Kuwait.  SrA Phan was on single vehicle patrol outside the perimeter of Ali Al Salem Air Base when accident occurred.

 

Disclaimer: Records of fatalities are not kept by the career field. The names in this list have been gathered from several sources and the probability is high that we do not have every name that belongs here. For that we do apologize and solicit your input. If you know of an AP, SP, SF who has been killed in the line of duty and is not listed here, please notify us.

 

Name Date Place
Adams, Edward Jimmie 11 Feb 70 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN
Adams, Royce H. 14 Apr 69 Da Nang AB, RVN
Alden, Nicholas J. 02 Mar 11 Frankfurt, Germany
Anderson, Herman B. 08 Oct 71 U-Tapao RTAB, Thailand
Anthony, Paul W. 08 Apr 70 Da Nang AB, RVN
Bestmann, Charles E. 28 Nov 68 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Bevich, George M. 14 Dec 66 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Berket, Scott L. 30 Sep 72 Da Nang AB, RVN
Black, Jimmie P. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Blake, Benard N.

09 Oct 71

South Dakota
Blakeney, Melvin J. 07 Jul 73 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Bohling, Richard 11 Jun 82 Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Bolster, Dan Arthur 07 Jan 72 Da Nang AB, RVN
Bonacasa, Louis M. 21 Dec 15 Bagram AB, Afghanistan
Botzem, Willy Kuepper 20 Sep 71 Ubon, RTAB, Thai
Boyd, James 28 Feb 68 Bien Hoa AB, RVN
Bridges, Robert Earl 17 Jun 67 Bien Hoa AB, RVN
Brock, Johnny R. 09 Oct 71 South Dakota
Bryant, Charles E. 11 Apr 68 Da Nang AB, RVN
Burch III, Leslie A. 22 Jan 85 Honduras
Butler, Robert 10 Jan 98 Edwards AFB CA
Campbell Jr., Charles V. 14 Oct 98 Al-Jabar AB, Kuwait
Campbell, Thomas L. 26 Mar 78 Maxwell AFB, Alabama
Carr, Rodney G 10 Mar 73 (Unknown)
Chavis, Leebernard E. 01 Oct 06 Near Baghdad, Iraq
Cloe, David A. 09 Oct 71 South Dakota
Closson, James Stanley 12 Jun 69 Da Nang AB, RVN
Cole, John Matthew 04 Dec 66 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Collums, Bobby G. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Cook, Danny R. 13 Dec 68 Kontum AB, RVN
Cordon, Hubert C. 30 Jun 73 Korat AB, Thailand
Coyle, Gerald A. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Cyr, William J. 31 Jan 68 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Davis Jr., Aaron 12 Feb 71 Phu Cat AB, Thai
Davis, John B. 14 Jun 73 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Day, James R. 09 May 99 Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Deuster Jr., William 27 Feb 67 Udorn RTAB, Thailand
DeWolf, Dale Lee 06 Feb 73 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Dover, Robert R. 18 Mar 79 Kelly AFB, Texas
Dwyer, Thomas D. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Elms, Sean 12 Aug 91 Fort Dix, New Jersey
England, James C. 01 Mar 70 U-Tapao RTAB, Thailand
Evans, John H. 07 Aug 70 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Faircloth, Larry R. 04 May 68 (Unknown)
Faust, Stephen M. 28 Oct 87 Clark AB, Philippines
Fedorka, Charles J. 04 Jun 51 Taegu AB, South Korea
Fields, Robert Louis 27 Jan 66 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Fischer, Louis H. 01 Jan 68 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Ford, Bernard Francis 05 July 67 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Ford, Bobby W. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Foster, Tony C. 05 Dec 69 Phu Cat AB, RVN
Francis, Frederick K. 22 Jan 85 Honduras
Francis, James Edward 11 Mar 68 Kontum AB, RVN
Frasier, Erin S. 13 Mar 06 California
Fritz, Gerald W. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Fuller, Gary Leroy 27 Feb 67 Da Nang AB, RVN
Gabriel, Charles David 06 Jan 67 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Galloway, Melvin R. 06 Mar 70 Kontum AB, RVN
Gay, Gary P. 27 Jan 68 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN
Glenn, Jackie D. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Gray, George Christian 29 Mar 69 Qui Nhon AB, RVN
Gray, Robert S. 06 Jan 78 Clark AB, Philippines
Grenier, Joseph Kent 04 Sep 70

(Unknown)

Griffin, Travis L. 03 Apr 08 Baghdad, Iraq
Grillo, Lawrence Hugh 28 May 69 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Hamlin, Darrell L. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Hankamer, Gregory L. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Harden Jr., Roosevelt 11 July 67 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Hebron, Charles Edward 31 Jan 68 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Helton, Joseph D. 08 Sep 09 Baghdad, Iraq
Heitcamp, Donald H. 29 May 86 South Dakota
Herrington, William C. 15 Nov 80 Incirlik, Turkey
Hicks, James Russell 06 Mar 71 Da Nang AB, RVN
Higgs, David A. 06 Mar 71 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Holbrook, Horace Alvie 12 May 67 Bien Hoa AB, RVN
Holley, Glynn Byron 26 Dec 69 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN

Holmes, Barry P.

29 May 86 South Dakota
Hughes, Larry D. 09 Oct 71 South Dakota
Hursey, Roy L. 27 Feb 63 Eielson AFB, Alaska
Huskey, Charles L. 29 May 86 South Dakota
Ilaoa, Falcagafulu 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Jacobson, Elizabeth 28 Sep 05 Safwan, Iraq
Jensen, Terrence Kay 01 Jul 65 Da Nang AB, RVN
Jones, David E. 11 Jun 82 Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Jones, James Bruce 25 Jan 66 Da Nang AB, RVN
Kelly, Michael F. 22 Jan 85 Honduras
Kelsey, J.C. 02 Dec 66 Nha Thrang AB, RVN
Kemp, Jimmy 06 Jun 67 Phu Cat AB, RVN
Krizanowsi, Walter T. 25 Aug 70 Da Nang AB, RVN
Lane, Michael D. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Lehman, Millard W. 08 Jul 66 Binh Thuy AB, RVN
Lemm, Joseph G. 21 Dec 15 Bagram AB, Afghanistan
Levay, Stacey E. 01 Jan 91 Andersen AB, Guam
Lobraico Jr., Todd J. 05 Sep 13 Bagram AB, Afghanistan
Loftis, Joel Conrad 07 Jun 69 Phan Rang AB, RVN
London, Dennis W. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Lord Jr., Ira F. 06 Nov 50 5th AF HQ, Pyong Yang, North Korea
Lucas, Lorainne A.*  Aug 91 Andersen AB, Guam
MacArthur, Dale Alan 08 Dec 69 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Maisey, Reginald V. 31 Jan 68 Bien Hoa AB, RVN
Malone, Bobby J. 03 Feb 68 Ubon RTAB, Thailand
Matelski, Leonard James 02 Apr 72 Na Thrang, RVN
Mathias, Robert P. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
McDonald, Ronald Irvin 14 Apr 70 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
McElroy, Brian 22 Jan 06 Taji, Iraq
McFadden, Samuel L. 10 Mar 71 U-Tapao RTAB, Thailand
McKelvey, William R. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
McKnight, Clarence 12 Jun 73 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
McKnight, Omar J. 17 Jan 09 Balad, Iraq
McNeill, Michael S. 05 Dec 72 (unknown)
Meredith, Thomas P. 11 Jun 82 Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Midkiff, Gary Bruce 04 Feb 68 Binh Thuy AB, RVN
Milligan, Randall Gayle 15 May 68 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN
Mills, Roger Bertha 31 Jan 68 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Moon, Jerry Rudolph 07 Sep 67 Tuy Hoa AB, RVN
Moran II, Edgar C. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Morgan, Charles R. 12 Aug 68 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Morin, Joseph R. 01 Nov 50 Taegu AB, South Korea
Morris, George E. 03 Apr 56 Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
Muse, Edward Grady 31 Jan 68 Bien Hoa AB, RVN
Nathan, Jason D. 23 Jun 07 Iraq
Nealis, Tommy R. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Neel, Robert Ray 02 May 70 Nha Thrang AB, RVN
Nix, John David 25 Apr 71 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Norton, Jason L. 22 Jan 06 Taji, Iraq
Orsua, Charles David 15 Jul 69 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Pace, Marion L. 11 Jun 82 Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Pacio, George H. 21 Dec 70 Tan Son Nhut, AB, RVN
Packer, Joseph Everette 16 Jun 66 Da Nang AB, RVN
Palmer, Robert A. 02 May 70 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Park, Irving Geon 16 Mar 70 Phy Cat AB, RVN
Pascoe, Robert Edward 18 Jul 67 Pleiku AB, RVN
Perez, Carlos Augusta 19 Nov 71 Pleiku AB, RVN
Peterson, Alan J.  Jul 79 Yokota AB, Japan
Phan, Jason Khai 12 Sep 20 Ali Al Salem Air Base
Porovich, Steve 21 Apr 72 Tan Son Nut AB, RVN
Piner, John R. 21 Apr 72 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Powell, David A. 28 Feb 53 Suwon AB, South Korea
Riddle, Oliver John 04 Dec 66 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Riggs, Timothy R. 11 Dec 91 Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Roberts, Isiah 17 Apr 69 California
Robertson, Robert Merlin 27 Jan 70 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Rollinson, William R. 22 Jan 85 Honduras
Ross, Robert W. 13 May 75 Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand
Ruiz, Kcey E. 02 Oct 15 Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan
Santiago, Luis 25 Jun 73 Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
Sartain, Nathan C. 02 Oct 15 Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan
Sauer, Paul C. 25 Aug 70 Da Nang AB, RVN
Schlin, David J. 1976 Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
Schroeder Jr., David R. 14 Oct 98 Al-Jabar AB, Kuwait
Self, John Thomas 14 May 07 Near Baghdad Iraq
Simons III, Chas W. 17 Nov 99 Nevada
Sisley, Russell Jay 16 Jun 66 Da Nang AB, RVN
Slaughter Jr., Freddie L. 30 Jul 72 Saigon, RVN
Solomon, Sidney Morton 16 May 70 Binh Thuy AB, RVN
Steen, Leonard Larry 08 Oct 67 Ubon RTAB, Thailand
Stepp, Charles Harold 05 Sep 72 Da Nang AB, RVN
Steward, Eric V.V.D. 09 Dec 70 U-Tapao RTAB, Thailand
Supnet, Richard Arellano 23 Sep 71 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN
Thomas, Val  Aug 87 Exercise Violent Scorpion
Treen, Harlin Perry 12 Aug 68 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN
Watts, Michael J. 14 Sep 06 Montana
Webb, Robert 18 Nov 68 Udorn RTAB, Thailand
Whitfield, Jesse J. 08 Oct 70 Udorn RTAB, Thailand
Wilson, Glen G. 09 Oct 71 South Dakota
Willis, Thomas Murtin 05 Jun 67 Phan Rang AB, RVN
Williams, David 04 Mar 51 Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Wissig, Edward Simon 12 Feb 71 Phu Cat AB, RVN
Wood Jr., Bertram 25 Sep 70 Pleiku AB, RVN
Woodward, Richard Randolph 08 Feb 66 Da Nang AB, RVN
Wright, Terry L. 09 Oct 71 South Dakota

 

Note: RVN = Republic of Vietnam

• Lucas was the first female SP to be killed in the line of duty.  Her death occurred as a result of a training exercise.

Our roll of honor would be incomplete without a memorial to our brothers in arms who have gone on before, The following epitaph is found on a soldier's grave in the Little Big Horn, Wyoming. It is fitting for all who served honorably

 

I ask one thing - that in still, far-off days,
Someone who knew me should in their daily rounds,
Suddenly pause, caught by some sight or sound,
Some glance, some phrase, some trick of memory's ways
which brings me to mind, then I shall wait,
eager with hope, perhaps to hear -
“how great if he were with us still!”
And then at the end, all that I wish for is just -
“he was my friend!”

From “A Soldier's Epitaph” by David McNicholl