One was a marine, who worked in the dangerous field of bomb disposal. Two were soldiers killed when an IED hit their Humvee. Four were soldiers killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash on a medivac mission. They crashed during a night flight in frightful weather to bring aid for seven Afghani policeman hit by a suicide bombing.
Just three days in Afghanistan.
Since 2001, there have been 1952 American troops killed in Afghanistan. Since January 1, 2012 there have been 88 U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan. Please take a moment to honor their sacrifice.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
DoD Announces Marine Casualty
Staff Sgt. Joseph H. Fankhauser, 30, of Mason, Texas, died April 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Fankhauser was a highly decorated Marine. He joined the Marines 12 years ago and had received numerous awards including two Purple Hearts. He was in a specialized area of service known as explosive ordnance disposal technician. It is one of the most dangerous fields to be involved with in the Armed Forces. The
Brownsville Herald interviewed his cousin, Stephen Fankhauser:
Stephen Fankhauser said his cousin was a specialist in dealing with improvised explosive devices but noted that joining the IED team was not something he rushed into. The Marine considered the decision carefully before committing to it.
Stephen Fankhauser said his cousin joined the Marines right out of high school at the age of 18.
"He enjoyed it and looked forward to the service," he said. "He was on a mission."
Staff Sgt. Fankhauser's father told the Brownsville Tribune:
"He loved the Marines and died doing what he loved most," the father said. He declined to discuss his son further at this time, explaining he preferred to respect Joe's wishes and wait for the military to provide details.
Staff Sgt. Fankhauser was on his fifth combat deployment. He served three tours of duty in Iraq: 2004, 2006, and 2007, and two tours in Afghanistan: 2011 and 2012. He is survived by his wife of ten years, who lives in California.
Staff Sgt. Fankhauser earned the following awards and decorations: the Purple Heart (second award), Combat Action Ribbon (second award), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (seventh award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (second award), Iraq Campaign Medal (third award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (third award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (second award), Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.
Semper Fidelis Staff Sgt. Joseph Fankhauser.
DoD Announces Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died April 22 in Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Killed were:
1st Lt. Jonathan P. Walsh, 28, Cobb, Ga.
Pfc. Michael J. Metcalf, 22, Boynton Beach, Fla.
1st Lt. Jonathan Walsh joined the Army in 2010. He was a 2008 graduate of Kennesaw State University in business administration. He worked in the financial services and security sectors.
He is survived by his wife, Debra, son- Austin, and his parents, Carolyn and Paul. The family declined comments at this time and wished for their privacy to be respected.
Rest in Peace, 1st Lt. Jonathan Walsh.
Pfc. Michael Metcalf arrived in Afghanistan less than two weeks ago. The 22 year old man was just three weeks away from his birthday when he was killed by an IED hitting his vehicle.
"We're proud of him," said Michael's mother, Kim Metcalf, who said she knew her son was dead when her doorbell rang at 5 a.m. Monday and she saw an Army contingent in full dress uniform.
Kim Metcalf told the
Sun-Sentinel.
His mother spoke with WPEC news 12 in West Palm Beach about her son. She remembered her son as wonderful, happy and loved everyone, she told the news. "He's all I have, all I ever had." She is proud of her son, and he always wanted to be with the Airborne paratroopers.
PFC Michael Metcalf enlisted in the Army in March 2011. He went to Military School in Wisconsin and lived with his mother in Boynton Beach. He also spent time with his father in Ashtabula Township in northeastern Ohio. Both of his parents are at Dover to meet the return of his body. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
DoD Announces Army Casualties
They died April 19, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when their Black Hawk (UH-60) crashed. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.
Killed were:
Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas S. Johnson, 27, of San Diego, Calif.
Chief Warrant Officer Don C. Viray, 25, of Waipahu, Hawaii.
Sgt. Chris J. Workman, 33, of Boise, Idaho.
Sgt. Dean R. Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, Ill.
Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas Johnson is remembered as a man who loved to fly. His father, Robert, told the
San Bernardino Sun:
"He just loved to fly. Every opportunity he had he would be flying."
Robert Johnson worked in the aerospace industry and told the paper his son loved to visit him at work. His father and mother are proud of his service.
Johnson graduated from Chino High School and joined the Navy where he served for five years. After service with the Navy, he joined the Army and became a UH 60 Pilot in December, 2008. He deployed on his first tour of duty in January, 2012. His father told the paper:
"He joined the Army because he loved it," his father said.
Besides his parents, Johnson is survived by his wife, Debra, and a one year old son.
Johnson's awards and decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, Army Service Medal and the Aviator Badge.
Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Rest in Peace, Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas Johnson.
Chief Warrant Officer Don Viray
CWO2 Don Viray was remembered by his community of Waipahu as a "good kid". Neighbors recalled him buying his own home at age 24. KITV News
Viray's parents spoke to MSNBC, the father, Leo, told the news:
"He wanted to be the best pilot in the United States Army," said Leo Viray.
"I'm proud that he served in this country and he did what he loved to do," said Leo Viray
Sen. Daniel Inouye issued this formal statement:
"Once again, the tragedies of war have taken four from our Tropic Lightning Division, all of them Hawaii heroes; one of them, Hawaii born. These brave Army airmen must never be forgotten," said Sen. Daniel Inouye. "Their contributions to our nation and to our world’s security are beyond measurement. Having watched the death and injury of my brothers in arms, I understand, too well, what this loss means to their fellow soldiers and families. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."
Rest in Peace, Chief Warrant Officer Don Viray.
Sgt. Chris Workman joined the Army in 2009. He graduated in 1997 from Minico High School and then in 2003 from Idaho State University. He was employed as an escrow agent for a title company. Later, he worked in the family auto glass business. He joined the Army for a better future.
He leaves behind a wife and stepson.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Christopher Workman.
From the State Journal Register.com, Susan Shaffer told the news:
Sgt. Dean Shaffer
"He'd want us to celebrate his life," said the mother of U.S. Army Sgt. Dean Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, who died last week when his Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, killing all four aboard. "He loved what he did, did what he loved and died doing what he loved - helping others."
The reason behind the celebration came from a vacation she and her mother, Dean's grandmother, took to Hawaii. Susan wanted for all of them to go to a parade that day, but both Dean and the grandmother, 83, declined to go. When Susan returned she saw her son and mother enjoying a drink and time together. They told Susan when it is their time to go they want a celebration and not a funeral. This is what is getting her through this difficult time. She is fulfilling her son's wishes.
Susan remembers her son as a caring young man, who looked after everyone. She told the SJR.com:
"One of his friends came to school once with two different shoes on. I don't know why, but when Dean asked him, the boy said, 'It was all I could find and they fit.' That day, Dean took him out to Walmart and got him a new pair of shoes."
"He was just so bright," she said. "And I am not just saying that because he was my son. He just loved everybody, and people loved him."
Deepest condolences to his mother Susan, family, and friends.
Rest in Peace, Sgt. Dean Shaffer.
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. 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.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, Kestrel 9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterina, and me, Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.