Thirty US troops and eight Afghans were killed August 6th when a rocket-propelled grenade fired by a Taliban insurgent downed a Chinook helicopter.
The US servicemen were 17 members of the elite Navy SEALs, five Naval Special Warfare personnel who work with SEALs, three Air Force Special Operations personnel and an Army helicopter crew of five.
The Afghans who died included a civilian interpreter. The rest were Afghan commandos there to aid in the mission.
Those lost to our nation are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson from California
- Army Sergeant Alexander J. Bennett from Washington
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill from Connecticut
- USAF Techical Sergeant John W. Brown from Florida
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell from North Carolina
- Army Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter from Colorado
- Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day from Utah
- Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara from Nebraska
- Army Specialist Spencer C. Duncan from Kansas
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas from Minnesota
- Army Sergeant Patrick D. Hamburger from Nebraska
- USAF Staff Sergeant Andrew W. Harvell from California
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston from Massachusetts
- Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall from Louisiana
- Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais from California
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason from Missouri
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills from Texas
- Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols from Kansas
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null from West Virginia
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman from California
- Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff from Arkansas
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves from Louisiana
- Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson from Michigan
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar from Minnesota
- Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange from Pennsylvania
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson from Iowa
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn from Florida
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers from Hawaii
- Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman from Utah
- USAF Technical Sergeant Daniel L. Zerbe from Pennsylvania
This is Part Two of a special tribute. Part One is being published by JaxDem tonight.
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Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason ~ tribute by CalNM
Matt Mason was a Kearny, Kansas native who leaves behind a wife, two children and a third child on the way. He was a member of Navy SEAL Team 6.
During high school, Matt played linebacker on the football team, and first base on the baseball team. His family lived close to Smithville Lake and Watkins Mill State Park, and Matt loved the outdoors, especially hunting. Matt graduated from Kearny High School in 1992, and his friends said he could get along with anybody, and loved to make people laugh.
Matt's friends and family admired his determination in sports, going to college, and in becoming a Navy SEAL some ten years ago. He was injured in 2005 during a deployment to Iraq, and fought to recover in order to continue serving. His friend said, “He came back from that and rejoined his team. He was quite the person.”
~Source ~Source
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Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills
~ tribute by JaxDem & TheFatLadySings
Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen "Matt" Mills followed a family tradition of service in the military. Family and friends all agree his sense of humor would fill the state of Texas. He had been a Navy SEAL for ten years and deployed more than 10 times.
“He loved his country, and he felt like what he was doing was right.” ~ his mother, Cheryl Mills.
"He's always loved what he did. He told me he couldn't believe he could do this for a living because he loved it so much." ~ His sister, Ashely
“He was very humble about what he did. He never bragged about being a Navy SEAL.” ~ His cousin, J.B. Abbot
Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen "Matt" Mills' awards include: The Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (2), Presidential Unit Citation (2), Joint 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.
He was married and had two sons, Cash and Bryce, and a daughter, Zoe. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols ~ tribute by SisTwo
Bryan Nichols grew up in western Kansas and worked in an Army reservist unit in Independence. He transferred and began lobbying for flight school. Officers in the 7/158th knew he would make a good pilot. They were right, he studied and became one of his unit’s top pilots.
Friends said that Nichols had three loves - flying, driving his motorcycle and talking about his family.
“From the first day I met him, he set a picture of his wife on his desk…he probably had one of her in his helmet, too,” Norton said
Among those surviving CW2 Bryan Nichols, 31, are his wife, Mary and his 10-year-old son. He had been scheduled to come home in two weeks and was planning on spending time with his family and visiting a unit member who was in the hospital.
~ An “iReport” by his son
~ Son with Dad (picture and story)
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null by Sandy on Signal.
Everyone in the small town of Parkersburg, West Virginia, had heard the news; yet, the small town
News-Sentinel was in a quandary. Should they follow the orders of the Pentagon and not reveal the identity of one of their own hometown heroes, killed in Afghanistan, or should they go ahead, and reveal what everyone in town already knew? By August 12, the DoD made it easy and released the names, now all media were free to honor the fallen Navy SEALS.
Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Null was a well-decorated and trained Naval Seal. He was in the highly specialized and dangerous area of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb removal group). Null graduated in 1999 from Parkersburg South High School and enlisted in the Navy in 2000. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Null earned 2 Bronze Star Medals with "V" Valor, 2 Combat Action Ribbons, a Presidential Unit Citation, and many other medals, plus he was a Navy SEAL. Senator Joe Mancin of WVA released the following statement:
"The entire state of West Virginia joins the family and loved ones of Chief Petty Officer Null in mourning the loss of a true hero," U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin said in a statement. "Chief Petty Officer Null put his life on the line to defend America, our freedom, and our deeply held values, and he and his family made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of this honorable mission. His service and patriotism cannot be understated, and it will not be forgotten."
Chief Petty Officer Nicholas H. Null is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three children. Funeral arrangements are pending, check with the
Patriot Guard Riders to find out more or if you would like to stand silent with them in honor of CPO Nicholas Null.
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Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif ~ Tribute by maggiejean
According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in Willits, the small Mendocino County town that calls itself “Gateway to the Redwoods,” flags were at half staff Tuesday to honor Jesse Pittman, a native son who died Saturday when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. “It's such a shame,” said Holly Madrigal, a member of the city council.
"He always had a big old smile,” said classmate Molly Andich, who hung out with the same crowd with Pittman in those years. He liked playing sports with his buddies and hanging out. He was on the quiet side unless he was partying with friends, she said.
Andich said she wasn't surprised that Pittman joined the Navy after working two seasons as a firefighter with Cal Fire.
“A lot of guys around here do it because there's not too many job opportunities,” said Andich, who moved away from away from the town of 4,900 inhabitants to pursue a career in nursing.
Descriptions of Pittman as polite, quiet and respectful don't mesh with media images of those who pass the rigorous training and testing required to become SEALs. But those images are wrong, said family friend Mike Maynard, a Cal Fire firefighter who served in the Air Force. SEALs are all about selfless serving, he said.
“You don't pass the training if it's about an individual thing,” he said. “If you ever see anyone in a bar talking about being in the special forces, you can unequivocally call them a liar.”
• Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff by noweasels.
Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Arkansas
Thomas A. Ratzlaff wanted to a Navy SEAL from the time he was a young boy growing up in Green Forest.
"The whole town was proud of him," said Loree Blackburn, who runs a local restaurant at which Ratzlaff and his late father always shared breakfast when he was home. Now, the community of 2,700 remembers Ratzlaff with flags flying at half-staff.
Washington Times
Senior Chief Ratzlaff enlisted in the Navy in 1995 and had been decorated with four Bronze Stars during his service in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senior Chief Ratzlaff is survived by his wife and by two sons; a third child, a daughter, is due in November. He is also survived by his mother and a sister.
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Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves ~ tribute by Wide Awake in KY
Lt. Cmdr. Jonas Kelsall CPO Robert Reeves
(see joint tribute with CPO Jonas Kelsall)
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Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson by noweasels.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan
Before he even graduated from Michigan’s Petoskey High about 225 miles northwest of Detroit, Heath M. Robinson was the type of guy people could picture becoming a Navy SEAL. (snip) Robinson joined the military after high school, and his service record shows he served in six Special Warfare Units from 2000 to 2011.
Washington Times
Jim Alton, director of veterans affairs for Emmet County, said he received a call about Robinson's death on Saturday from a classmate and longtime friend of Robinson's who served in the Marines.
Alton said Robinson was a "national treasure."
Detroit Free Press
The Robinson Family released a statement Friday regarding the death of Heath while serving our country: "Our family is among many others that are mourning the loss of a husband, father and patriot. We truly thank you for all the support in getting through this trying time."
Upnorth Live
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Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar by noweasels.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minnesota
When 24-year-old Nicholas Spehar said he was going to do something, you could take him at his word.
The 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School was a "quiet leader," a star in academics and three sports during his time at the school along Minnesota’s eastern border, said Principal Dave Ertl.
Washington Times
Pat Spehar described his son, a member of the Navy SEALs for almost four years, as a generous, easy-going man of "extraordinary character and honor" with intense, crystal blue eyes.
"Nick was the kind of person that if you found yourself in a situation and you needed help for any reason, he’s the kind of man you wanted," his father said. "If you knew Nick as a friend, you had something very unusual. He was very intense about his friendships, his loves, his commitment and compassion for people. He loved little kids, especially."
(snip)
His son left an indelible mark, he said, but "I was really hoping it wouldn’t be this type of mark."
Duluth News Tribune
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Spehar is survived by his parents Patrick and Annette, by his sister Marie (Anthony) Mielke, by his brothers, Luke and Jacob, and by his sister Lisa.
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Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange by noweasels
Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Michael Strange "loved his friends, his family, his country; he loved making people laugh. He was one of a kind," Strange’s brother, Charles Strange III, said outside the family’s Philadelphia home, where American flags were planted throughout the neighborhood.
Strange, 25, decided to join the military when he was still in high school, and had been in the Navy for about six years, first stationed in Hawaii and for the last two in Virginia Beach, where he became a SEAL about two years ago, his mother, Elizabeth Strange, told The Associated Press.
(snip)
"He wasn’t supposed to die this young. He was supposed to be safe. And he told me that, and I believed him. I shouldn’t have believed him because I know better."
(snip)
Charles Strange said his brother loved the SEALS . . . . He also had two sisters and recently became an uncle. The family last saw him in June, when he came for a weeklong visit for his birthday, his mother said. He was supposed to be back for Thanksgiving.
"It was going to be such a good time," his mother said.
His grandmother Bernice Strange said, "He was a wonderful grandson to have. God truly blessed me with him."
Washington Times
Now all the family can do is remember the times that they shared with the fallen hero. “I love Michael and I miss him,” said Michael’s sister Katelyn, who Michael was working to put through nursing school. "He’s my hero."
NBC Philadelphia
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Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson ~ tribute by JaxDem
Jon Tumilson was always on a path to be the best of the best. In High School he was on the football team, he made it to conference and sectional championships on the wrestling team and he was elected Homecoming King. Later on, to get into shape to qualify for the elite SEAL team and stay in shape once he qualified, Jon competed in marathons and triathlons.
"He loved what he did. He always just said 'don't worry about me I'm fine.' Doing what he wanted to do. He was our hero before and he still is." ~ His Aunt
“He was a very big country boy with goals and a love for our way of life. Remember his smile and attitude. He always went for it. We will miss the big man."
“He was the toughest man I ever met. And he was also the most gentle man I ever met.”
”He was a large guy in stature and even larger in life. He was an inspiration, a hero and something that every young boy wishes to grow up to be."
~ Members of his running community
PO1 (SEAL) Jon T. Tumilson is survived by his mother, Kathleen; father, George; sister, Joy and sister Kristie.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn ~ tribute by JaxDem
"I thought, oh, hopefully it's just a neighbour, and as I rounded the stairs, I saw the men in uniform and I just fell to my knees. There's no preparing for it. It's something you see in the movies. It's not something you're supposed to live through." ~ His wife Kimberley
"Aaron was a Christian, and he's with Jesus today. He told us when we saw him last November that he wasn't afraid because he knew where he was going, and he said, 'Granny, don't worry about me.' He was a tough warrior, but he was a gentle man." ~ His grandmother
"The Vaughn family is thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers we've received. We are now turning to one another to grieve and to celebrate Aaron's life. We appreciate the interest in Aaron but it's now time to return to our private lives. It's our wish, as Aaron would have wanted it, that you continue to pray for those still serving in harm's way." ~ Vaughn Family statement
PO1 (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn leaves behind his wife, Kimberly; two-year-old son Reagan and two-month-old daughter Chamberlyn.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers ~ tribute by Blue Jersey Mom
Kraig Vickers was a native of Maui, Hawaii. He was a 1992 graduate of Maui High School in Kahului, where he was a standout football player and wrestler. He served in the Navy for 15 years as member of a Bomb Disposal Team. A childhood friend, Michael Labuanan, said:
As an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, "he was not afraid of many things and would always do things that most people wouldn't do".~source
Kraig Vickers is survived by his wife, Nani of Virginia Beach, who is pregnant with the couple's fourth child. He is also survived by his parents, Robert and Mary Vickers, three brothers, and a sister, all of whom still live on Maui.
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Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman ~ tribute by Ekaterin
Petty Officer First Class Jason Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah, wanted to be a Navy SEAL since he was a young boy.
The youngest of four brothers, Jason enlisted in the Navy after graduation from Southern Utah University. He served as a Seal for the past eight years, including several years as a member of the elite Seal Team Six.
A family friend said, "Jason would give you the shirt off his back. He was just willing to do anything for anybody and he's proven that by giving his life to this country." Jason was planning to return to his hometown in December. He is survived by his wife and 21-month old son, as well as his parents and three brothers. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
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(USAF) Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe ~ tribute by Chacounne
assigned to 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, NC, pararescueman
Technical Sgt Zerbe was 28 years old when he died on August 6th. Born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania,he grew up in York, Pa., and played for Red Lion Area High School’s football and wrestling teams.
“He was proud of what he was doing,” George Shue, Sgt Zerbe's high school coach told The Patriot-News about a visit with his former student three years ago. “I know he was doing what he wanted to be doing. I hope something we taught him about being a team player carried on to his life’s mission.”
Zerbe enlisted in August of 2002, after having graduated the previous year. As part of his advanced training, Sgt Zerbe learned field tactics, mountaineering, combat tactics, advanced parachuting and helicopter insertion and extraction during the 20 weeks of the Pararescue Recovery Specialist Course at New Mexico's Kirtland Air Force Base. While there, he also took the Paramedic Course.
“I still remember the days of you goofing around,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “The smile you had that lit up a room and how you always made people laugh. Dan you are a true hero: my hero.”
Another wrote: “Dan, you always made me laugh when I wanted to cry. That, I’ll always remember. You were sweet, kind and absolutely funny.”
May his family and friends be blessed with warm memories filled with love.
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, JaxDem, Kestrel9000, and TheFatLadySings. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
If you would like to contribute to the series, even once a month, please contact Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.