Died 24 December 2003, Sgt. Michael E. Yashinski, died in Kirkuk, Iraq. Yashinski died of injuries sustained while running a communication wire. Yashinski was assigned to the 501st Forward Support Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy.
Died November 8, 2009 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed. Also killed was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mathew C. Heffelfinger.
Born Jan. 6, 1932
Was Killed by Hostile fire on August 23, 1968 MACVSOG, CCN FOB4. Assigned to Specail Forces MACVSOG.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Vail Thompson, 28, died on August 23rd 2016, from an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was deployed in support of Operation Resolute Support.
Matthew Thompson was born on June 22nd, 1988 in Minneapolis, Minn. He graduated as an honor student from Brookfield Central High School in 2006. While attending high school, Matthew competed in football and pole vault.
Following high school, he attended Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. where he was a competitive swimmer for three years and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theological Studies. After graduating from college, Matthew traveled to East Africa and helped start a non-profit organization for homeless boys in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya.
SSG Thompson enlisted in the Army in March, 2011. Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he immediately attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. He then attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course in October, 2011 at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Matthew was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course and graduated as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant in June, 2014. In August, 2014, Matthew was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and served as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant on SFODA 1312.
SSG Thompson deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on December 8th, 2014 where he advised and trained Iraqi Security Forces Soldiers. His efforts greatly enhanced the medical competency and readiness of U.S. coalition partners. Upon redeployment, SSG Thompson dedicated himself to the medical readiness and training of SFODA 1312. He deployed with his team a second time to Afghanistan on June 15th, 2016. SSG Thompson gave his life bringing security and freedom to Afghans residing in Chianjir Village within Helmand Province.
SSG Thompson’s military education includes the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Special Operations Combat Medic Course, the Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, the Advanced Leader Course, the Basic Leader Course, Basic Airborne Course, the Combat Lifesavers Course, and Combatives Level 1.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
SSG Thompson is survived by his wife, Rachel, his parents, Mark and Lynda Thompson, and his sisters, Robyn and Karen.
Died December 12, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom, in Parwan province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 2nd Sq, 3rd Cav Regt, 1st Cav Div, Fort Hood, Texas.
Died December 12, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to 2nd Sq, 3rd Cav Regt, 1st Cav Div, Fort Hood, Texas; died Dec. 12 in Parwan province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.
Died December 1, 2014 Serving During Operation Inherent Resolve, 1 when his F-16 aircraft crashed near a coalition air base in the Middle East. He was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
Died December 3, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; died Dec. 3 in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.
KIA in Viet NAM on July 18th, 1965. Phillips was only 23 and a father-to-be when he was killed during small arms fire in South Vietnam on July 18, 1965 — only two days after he arrived in the country. His name is misspelled on 'THE WALL'.
Sgt. Don A. Hawkins
FOB 1, CCN, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV
U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group
Born: November 1, 1944 KIA: November 1, 1967
Raised in San Diego, California. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, Class of 1961. Dad enjoyed Roller Skating and won many awards.
In 1965 Dad joined the U.S. Army. He went through basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He then went on to Special Forces Training School at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He was trained as a Radio Operator. He requested and received his orders for service in Vietnam the summer of 1967.
Arrived in Vietnam on September 23, 1967. He spent a few weeks in Da Nang attending the MACV Recon School. He was then assigned to CCN, FOB 1 at Phu Bai.
David Alexander Woods
Sergeant First Class
FOB 1, CCN, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV
Army of the United States
Born: September 29, 1938 KIA: November 01, 1967
George Kenton Sisler
First Lieutenant
FOB-2, CCC, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV
Army of the United States
Born: September 19, 1937 KIA: February 07, 1967
lLt 0-2, Dexter MO, USASF, FOB 2 Kontum, Ops 35, MACV SOG, KIA-RR (Medal of Honor Winner) Exploitation Force PIt Ldr; also moh_army-s.gifJames H Duncan, SFC E-7, USASF, KIA has been indicated as being on the mission with George K. Sisler who was KIA on same date (?) (Exploitation Force Plt Ldr, when his EF was hit on 3 sides by a Company size element. Lt Sisler distinguished himself by exposing himself repeatedly while rescuing his wounded men and killing the enemy in the process. When the Plt came under an extremely heavy attack, he picked up grenades and charged the enemy single handedly, firing his weapon and throwing hand grenades, which broke the enemy's assault, compelling the enemy to withdraw. He continued to move about the battlefield directing fire. Sisler stood to direct gun ships when a sniper's round cut him down. He died there. George Sisler was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Army Staff Sgt. Jason A. McDonald died June 9, 2014 Serving Operation Enduring Freedom, in Gaza Village, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by aircraft friendly fire. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Army Pfc. Donnell A. Hamilton Jr. died July 24, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died July 24, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from an illness sustained in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Prange died July 24, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died July 24 in Mirugol Kalay, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.
Army Pfc. Keith M. Williams died July 24, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died July 24 in Mirugol Kalay, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.
Army Staff Sgt. Girard D. Gass Jr. died August 3, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group,Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Aug. 3 in Jalalabad Air Field Hospital, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident while on patrol in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.
Army Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene Died August 5, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned as deputy commanding general of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan; died Aug. 5 of wounds caused by small-arms fire in an insider attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Rank: Staff Sergeant, US Army, Vietnam Training Advisory Group
Location of action: Republic of Vietnam
Date of action: June 4 and 5, 1971
Medal received from: President Gerald Ford, December 12, 1974
Official Citation:
Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt.) Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on June 4 and 5, 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of June 4, 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first three helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon.
Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of June 5, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in two ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down.
He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With one last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the two ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Bio:
Jon Cavaiani came to America in 1947 with his parents at the age of four. Although he was classified 4-F because of an allergy to bee stings, he enlisted in the Army shortly before being naturalized in 1968. He qualified for Special Forces and was sent Vietnam in 1970.
As a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam, Cavaiani spent time in Plantation Garden camp and interrogation center and then at the Hanoi Hilton. He was held prisoner for twenty-three months, and lost 106 pounds during his incarceration. As the papers were prepared for awarding him the Medal of Honor, he was originally thought to be MIA, (missing in action), but his name was heard on a Viet Cong “Liberation Radio” program regarding a letter from the POWs asking to end the war.
Assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 1,2014 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in a non-combat incident.
Fast Delivery, Excellent Communication, Highly Recommend.
