African Americans have served as underappreciated heroes in every war and countless `unofficial` skirmishes and conflicts

Shem Hotep ("I go in peace").



African Americans have served as underappreciated heroes in every war and countless `unofficial` skirmishes and conflicts throughout the history of this nation.

Nubians, Moors, and African Warriors.



Nubian Archers.

During the 1500 B.C., Nubia was composed of three large kingdoms called Mukuria, Alwa and Nobade. These were very advanced civilizations and states with large armies of expert footsoldiers, archers, seige equipment, horsemen and elephant-riding soldiers. The three Nubian kingdoms were very wealth and powerful, however, they were under the constant infiltration of their lands by Bedouins with their livestock, Semitc slave raiders who burned African towns and villages and took the inhabitants north of the Red Sea to be enslaved. Nubia is the homeland of Africa's civilization with a history which can be traced from 3100 B.C. Around 5,100 years ago, a rich and powerful nation called the kingdom of Kush (also referred to as the ancient Nubia) was a center of culture and military might in Africa. By 1550 B.C. kings at Kerma in the "Upper Nubia" ( now Sudan) were ruling all Nubia from first Cataract in "Aswan" to the fifth cataract in the "Old Dongula". Egypt dominated parts of Nubia from about 1950 to 1000 B.C. Forts, trading posts and Egyptianstyle temples were built in Kush, and the Nubian elite adopted the worship of Egyptian gods and even the Egyptian hieroglyphic writing system. The gold, ebony and ivory of Nubia contributed to the material wealth of Egypt, and many of the famed treasures of the Egyptian kings were made of products from Nubia. By 800 B.C., Egypt had fragmented into rival states. In 747 B.C., the city of Thebes in southern Egypt was threatened by northerners, and the Egyptians called upon the Nubian king for protection. The Kushite king, Piye, marched north from his capitalat Napata,rescued. The besand reunified Egypt. For the next 100 years, Kushite kings ruled both Nubia and Egypt. This era was brought to a close by the invasion of Assyrian armies in 663 B.C., and the Nubian king fled south to his capital at Napata. By 200 B.C., the capital had shifted yet farther south to Meroe, where the kings continued to be buried in pyramid tombs and to build temples to Nubian and Egyptian gods in a hybrid Egyptian Roman-African style. Roman historians record the skirmishes and treaties which marked the relation ship of Roman Egypt and Nubia. By A.D. 250 the culture of Nubia changed radically, perhaps due to the immigration of new peoples into the Nile Valley.Ancient Nubia had a wealth of natural resources such as gold, ivory, copper, frankincense and ebony but they also produced and traded a variety of goods such as pottery. Elusive A Group Latest findings. Their bowmen warriors (Exhibit 1) were known and feared by those who saw them in battles. Nubia was known to the Egyptians as "Ta Sety," the "Land of the Bow," because of the fame of these Nubian archers. Nubia was famous throughout ancient history as a land of expert and feared archers. Pictures from as early as 3200 BCE show Nubians carrying bows. The Egyptians even used a bow as the hieroglyphic spelling for the name "Nubia." Throughout history, pictures and drawings of Nubian gods, kings, and warriors show them holding bows. XX Ancient Nubia's lands are now part of modern Egypt and Sudan. Its geographic position meant that much of ancient Nubia's development is connected to that of ancient Egypt. In fact, Egypt ruled much of Nubia between 2000 B.C. and 1000 B.C., but when Egypt collapsed into civil war, Nubian kings ruled Egypt from around 800 B.C. to 700 B.C. The Nubians are believed to be the first human race on earth, and most of their customs and traditions were adopted by the ancient Egyptians. To the Greeks, they were known as Ethiopians and Nubia as the land of Punts, i.e. the land of gods. Nubians are the people of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. With a history and traditions which can be traced to the dawn of civilization, the Nubian first settled along the banks of the Nile from Aswan. Along this great river they developed one of the oldest and greatest civilizations in Africa. Until they lost their last kingdom (Christian Nubia) only 5 centuries back the Nubians remained as the main rivals to the other great African civilization of Egypt. Kushite kings ruled both Nubia and Egypt. This era was brought to a close by the invasion of Assyrian armies in 663 B.C., and the Nubian king fled south to his capital at Napata. In the 7th century, Nubia was converted to Christianity. The skill of Nubian archers forestalled the conversion of Nubia to Islam A.D.1500.



Hannibal-Ruler of Carthage (247-183 B.C.)

Regarded as one of the greatest generals of all time, Hannibal and his overpowering African armies conquered major portions of Spain and Italy and came close to defeating the mighty Roman Empire. This won him recognition which has spanned more than 2000 years.


NZINGHA AMAZON QUEEN OF MATAMBA WEST AFRICA (1582-1663)

A very good military leader who waged war against the savage slave-hunting Europeans. This war lasted for more than thirty years. Nzingha was of Angolan descent and is known as a symbol of inspiration for people everywhere. Queen Nzingha is also known by some as Jinga by others as Ginga. She was a member of the ethnic Jagas a militant group that formed a human shield against the Portuguese slave traders. As a visionary political leader, competent, and self sacrificing she was completely devoted to the resistance movement. She formed alliances with other foreign powers pitting them against one another to free Angola of European influence. She possessed both masculine hardness and feminine charm and used them both depending on the situation. She even used religion as apolitical tool when it suited her. Her death on December 17, 1663 helped open the door for the massive Portuguese slave trade. Yet her struggle helped awaken others that followed her and forced them to mount offensives against the invaders. These include Madame Tinubu of Nigeria; Nandi, the mother of the great Zulu warrior Chaka; Kaipkire of the Herero people of South West Africa; and the female army that followed the Dahomian King, Behanzin Bowelle.


Dahomey Amazons of Africa.

We are talking about female soldiers with their own officers and uniforms, formed into units and trained to fight with muskets, machetes and their bare teeth. As early as 1729, European traders recorded existence of the fighting-women of the Fon (Dahomey people) and their neighbors the Ashanti. Originally retained as an elite royal guard, Dahomey amazons held semi-sacred status as celibate warrior "wives" of the King. They prided themselves on their hardened physiques and highly-trained martial skills, and constantly strove to outperform their male counterparts. During two centuries of raids and wars against neighboring kingdoms, Dahomeyan women increased their reputation as merciless undefeatable opponents. By 1890 they comprised over 30 percent of the Dahomey fighting force.


Toussaint Louverture, Francois Dominique (1743-1803)

Haitian general, now known as A the Precursor. A Born of slave parents near Cap-François, Saint-Dominguez (now Cap-Haitian, Haiti), Toussaint was self-educated. He acted as physician to the insurgent army and became a leader of the Haitian slave revolt, a 1791 black slave uprising against the French colonial regime. After France abolished slavery in the territory in 1794, Toussaint supported the French rulers of the country against British invaders and was made a general in 1795. In 1801 he succeeded, after many struggles, in liberating Saint-Dominguez from French control and became president for life of a new republic.


Shaka Zulu.

A strong leader and military innovator, Shaka is noted for revolutionizing 19th century Bantu warfare by first grouping regiments by age, and training his men to use standardized weapons and special tactics. He developed the "assegai", a short stabbing spear, and marched his regiments in tight formation, using large shields to fend off the enemies throwing spears. Over the years, Shaka`s troops earned such a reputation that many enemies would flee at the sight of them. With cunning and confidence as his tools, Shaka built a small Zulu tribe into a powerful nation of more than one million people, and united all tribes in South Africa against Colonial rule.


Samory Toure, The Black Napoleon of the Sudan (1830-1900)

Samory Toure - the ascendance of Samory Toure began when his native Bissandugu was attacked and his mother taken captive. After a persuasive appeal, Samory was allowed to take her place. During the eighteen year conflict with France, Samory continually frustrated the Europeans with his military strategy and tactics. This astute Military prowess prompted some of France’s greatest commanders to entitle the African monarch.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1775-1783.


Colonel Tye 1753-1780

One of the most colorful individuals during the American Revolution was a black man named Colonel Tye, an enslaved man in Monmouth Country, New Jersey, enslaved by Quakers who disobeyed the general Quaker ruling that Quakers put their enslaved people on the road to emancipation. So even though some Quaker-owned slaves were getting their freedom, Tye wasn’t. And he had an especially cruel master. When the American Revolution emerged, Tye emerged as a fearless leader. He was only about 21, and he commanded both black and white Loyalists, and literally wreaked havoc in New Jersey and also in New York. He captured patriots. He executed patriots. He visited the region of Monmouth, where he was from, and burned and looted the slaveholders, freed slaves. He probably had probably 800 men under his command at one point, both black and white.


Phillis Wheatley 1753-1784.

Phillis Wheatley, a very literate Black woman, used her writing ability to praise and express appreciation for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.


About 7,000 African Americans served in the Continental Army, mostly in integrated units, some in all-black combat units. The first American of any race to die in the American Revolution was a Blackman, Crispus Attucks.


THE WAR OF 1812-1815.

In the War of 1812, African-American sailors were with Captain Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie; two battalions of black Americans were with General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.

The majority of African-Americans who participated on either side during the War of 1812 did so as sailors rather than soldiers. Both the British and American armies had regulations which barred blacks from service. There were some exceptions to this color rule in the British army, usually when musicians were needed to complete a regimental band.

THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR, 1846-1848.

Black soldiers in the Mexican. American War comprised a list of freedmen who felt they were mainly showing loyalty to their country by fighting for Liberty. Military records have produced names for many of the soldiers. The First Regiment of Volunteers, New York; the Fourth Artillery; and the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Infantry regiments provided many names. Besides the infantry, ample names were connected with the U. S. Navy, and many were company musicians.

THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865.



Some 235,000 black soldiers and 30,000 black sailors fought in at least 450 battles for the Union. There were 68,000 casualties (including 37,000 killed); 23 Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded.



In regular service for the United States of America, over 200,000 African Americans served, with 38,000 recorded as killed. Total participation was easily over a quarter of a million. The valor and effectiveness of these men in the final year and a half of the war was so stunning that Lincoln was compelled to say they were the pivotal decisive factor in victory. Sergeant William Carney CMH- First African American fighting man to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serving under Robert G. Shaw, Carney lay a few feet from where his commander (Shaw) fell. Summoning all of his strength, Carney held aloft the colors and continued the charge. Having been shot several times, he kept the colors flying high, and miraculously retreated his regiments.

Sergeant William Carney 1840-1908


The 54th Massachusetts Regiment was the first black regiment recruited in the North.


USS Miami (1862-1865)

Black crew members sewing and relaxing on the forecastle, starboard side, circa 1864-65.


Susie King Taylor 1848-1865

Susie King Taylor, Civil War nurse, cook, and laundress, was raised a slave on an island off the coast of Georgia. In April of 1861, Major General Hunter assaulted Fort Pulaski and freed all the slaves in the area, including Mrs. King. When Union officers raised the First South Carolina Volunteers (an all-black unit), Mrs. King signed on as laundress and nurse. Able to read and write, she also set up a school for black children and soldiers.

Mrs. King’s experiences as a black employee of the Union Army are recounted in her diary. She wrote of the unequal treatment, The first colored troops did not receive any pay for eighteen months, and the men had to depend wholly on what they received from the commissary...their wives were obliged to support themselves and children by washing for the officers, and making cakes and pies which they sold to the boys in camp. Finally, in 1863, the government decided to give them half pay, but the men would accept none of this... They preferred rather to give their services to the state, which they did until 1864, when the government granted them full pay, with all back due pay. Susie King was never paid for her service.


USS Sacramento (1863-67)

"Kroomen" from Monrovia, Liberia, on board, in January-February 1867, while the ship was cruising along the west African coast en route from the U.S. to the East Indies station.



Blacks Serve in the Confederate Army as Soldiers.
Many historians, and students of history, will agree that blacks served by the thousands in the Confederate Army. They will dispute, however, that these blacks served as soldiers, and will dismiss their service as that of servants attached to the Army, but not soldiers in the Army.


1870 Sergeant Emanuel Stance becomes the first Buffalo Soldier to receive the Medal of Honor for valor in launching a charge against Native Americans and capturing a herd of horses from them in broad daylight. Stance was the first of 18 African American Medal of Honor winners between 1870 and 1890.


The first Buffalo Soldiers were the 9th and 10th Cavalries, formed by the U.S. Army in 1866 and mostly composed of freed slaves and Civil War vets.



The Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Ethan Allen.

The U. S. Army’s Tenth Cavalry Regiment of African American soldiers, nicknamed the Buffalo Soldiers, were stationed at Fort Ethan Allen from 1909-1913. Their short stay was a period of rest for these battle weary soldiers, who had spent the majority of their military career in brutal battles fought during the Indian Wars. They were nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers as a sign of respect by their Native American enemies. The soldiers were believed to resemble the great buffalo because of their curly black hair and fierce fighting skills.


William Cathay, The first woman Buffalo Soldier.

During the Civil War, black women’s services included nursing or domestic chores in medical settings, laundering and cooking for the soldiers. Indeed, as the Union Army marched through the South and large numbers of freed black men enlisted, their female family members often obtained employment with the unit. The Union Army paid black women to raise cotton on plantations for the northern government to sell.

Immediately following the Civil War, William Cathey enlisted in the United States Regular Army in St. Louis, Missouri. William Cathey, intending to serve three years withthe38th US Infantry, was described by the recruiting officer as 5`9" with black eyes, black hair, and a black complexion. The cursory examination by an Army physician missed the fact that William was actually Cathay Williams, a woman.

"William Cathey" served from November 15, 1866, until her discharge with a surgeon’s certificate of disability on October 14, 1868. Despite numerous and often lengthy hospital stays during her service, her sex was not revealed until June 1891, when Cathay Williams applied for an invalid pension and disclosed her true identity. She did not receive the pension, not because she was a woman, but because her disabilities were not service related. Cathay was probably the first black woman to serve in the US Regular Army.


1877 Henry O. Flipper becomes the first colored American to graduate from West Point.

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, 1898.

The SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR established several key points:
The Black-American units were able to use more trained black officers as commanders of their regiments. They were able to serve the armed forces on territory outside the United States.

Black participation continued in the War with Spain both in Cuba and the Philippines. And again the valor and gallantry of African American fighting men was again on display. Sixteen regiments of black volunteers were recruited; four saw combat. Black heroes took part in the siege of Santiago and others assisted, Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the charge on San Juan Hill. Especially notable Black participation occurred at engagements ranging from El Caney to Corrizal. Five black Americans won Congressional Medals of Honor in that war.

Philippine-American War, 1899-1902


African American soldiers of Troop E, 9th Cavalry Regiment before shipping out to the Philippines in 1900. Up to 7,000 Blacks saw action in the Philippines.


African American soldiers of Troop C, 9th Cavalry Regiment, at Camp Lawton, Washington State, before shipping out to the Philippines in 1900.

WORLD WAR I, 1914-1918


Famous African American regiment arrives home on the France. New York’s famous 369th (old 15th) Infantry African American troops arrive at Hoboken, New Jersey. They are the only regiment which never had one of their men captured and never lost a foot of ground or a trench, also the only unit in the American Expeditionary Force which bore a state name and carried a state flag.



USS Bushnell (Submarine Tender # 2)
Mess Attendants on board the ship, during World War I.

HARLEM`S HELL FIGHTERS.


The African American 369th Infantry in World War I. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, thousands of African-American men volunteered to fight for a country that granted them only limited civil rights. Many from New York City joined the 15th N.Y. infantry; a National Guard regiment later designated the 369th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Before the war was over, the unit would make military (and musical) history. In America’s segregated military, the men of the 369th Infantry had to overcome many hurdles before they proved themselves on the battlefield. Once in France, they initially served as laborers, all while chafing to prove their worth as American soldiers. About 367,000 African Americans served in the American Armed Forces in this War, and of that number 100,000 served in France. The 93rd Division served side by side with the French and numerous awards were won. In fact, the first two Americans to win the coveted Croix de Guerre France’s highest decoration) were black heroes Sgt. Henry Johnson and Pvt. Needham Roberts.


Sgt. Henry Johnson 1889-1929


World War I "Victory" Monument on Martin Luther King Drive south of 35thstreet, in Chicago. Stands a World War I memorial. The monument is called "Victory" and honors Black soldiers of the Illinois National Guard who died in World War I. The figure on top was added in 1936 and dedicated to all the Black soldiers who died in the war.

WORLD WAR II, 1939-1945.






Peace Celebrations at Naval Amphibious Base, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 15 August 1945

Members of the 22nd Special Naval Construction Battalion cheering news of Japan's acceptance of peace terms.
Note sign: "War is over! Good-Bye Pacific. Hello USA".


World Heavyweight champ Joe Louis (Barrow) sews on the stripes of a technical sergeant--to which he has been promoted..." April 10, 1945.

Surrounded by recruits, Marva Louis, wife of champion Joe [Louis], takes time out from a tour of nightclubs to entertain men in the Negro regiments at the U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL. Some 2,000 bluejackets gathered in a regimental drill hall to hear her songs."

U.S. Army nurses, newly arrived, line the rail of their vessel as it pulls into port of Greenock, Scotland, in European Theater of Operations. They wait to disembark as the gangplank is lowered to the dock. August 15, 1944.

"Christmas Dance at Negro Service Club #3. The dance was sponsored by the 1323rd Engineers. They had their own orchestra. Camp Swift, Texas." December 23, 1943.


"Pin-up girls at NAS Seattle, Spring Formal Dance. Left to right: Jeanne McIver, Harriet Berry, Muriel Alberti, Nancy Grant, Maleina Bagley, and Matti Ethridge." April 10, 1944.


Surgical ward treatment at the 268th Station Hospital, Base A, Milne Bay, New Guinea. Left to right: Sgt. Lawrence McKreever, patient; 2nd Lt. Prudence Burns, ward nurse; 2nd Lt. Elcena Townscent, chief surgical nurse; and an unidentified nurse." June 22, 1944. Pfc. Michael Pitcairn.

During World War II, Charity Adams Early was the first black commissioned officer in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC--later the Women’s Army Corps or WAC), and she commanded the only organization of black women to serve overseas. Earley left the Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel the highest possible rank except for the director of the WAC.

Charity Adams Earley 1918-2002

Lt. (jg.) Harriet Ida Pickens and Ens. Frances Wills, first Black Waves to be commissioned. They were members of the final graduating class at Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School (WR) Northampton, MA." December 21, 1944

Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams, and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, inspects the first contingent of Black members of the Women’s Army Corps assigned to overseas service." 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion February 15, 1945

Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion takes part in a parade ceremony in honor of Joan d`Arc at the marketplace where she was burned at the stake. May 27, 1945.

Over a million African Americans served in the armed forces. All-black fighter and bomber AAF units and infantry divisions gave distinguished service. Numerous acts of heroism were recorded, and though not all duly honored; countless others have come to light. In fact, in the very opening hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor, no hero shone with greater brilliance than the valiant Dorrie Miller a mess man on the USS Arizona who despite incredible risk and later injuries to himself, manned a machine gun and downed a confirmed four Japanese war planes, and perhaps more.

Dorrie Miller 1919-1943


The 761st Tank Battalion distinguished itself by extraordinary gallantry, courage, professionalism and high esprit de corps displayed in the accomplishment of unusually difficult and hazardous operations in the European Theater of Operations from 31 October 1944 to 6 May 1945. The first Army tank battalion committed to battle comprised of black soldiers - were responsible for inflicting thousands of enemy casualties. 761st Tank Battalion, According to the documentary, elements of the two battalions were among the first U.S. soldiers to arrive and help liberated Jewish concentration camps at Buchenwald, Dachau and Lambach in April of 1945.




555th Paratroopers - Triple Nickel.

This was a segregated unit of paratroopers during WW II. Called the "Triple Nickel. They were denied the opportunity to win medals and promotions in the European theater. Instead, they were assigned to highly dangerous "fire jumping" duty, putting out fires in the U.S. west.


Black women from Jamaica that served in World War 2.



Red Tail - 99th Fighter Squadron - Lonely Eagles.

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
They fought during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps that were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Tuskegee, Alabama. Tuskegee Airmen, is another shining example of men overcoming prejudice and discrimination in the 1940`s to make their mark in history. About 1,000 Americans of African ancestry completed their flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Despite initial obstacles, 445 went oversees as combat pilots in the European Theater of Operations, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Flying "bomber escort" and ground attack on 15,533 sorties between May, 1943 and June 9, 1945, the Tuskegee Airmen compiled an enviable Tuskegee Record None of the bombers they escorted was lost to enemy fighters.


THE GOLDEN THIRTEEN.

TOP ROW: John Walter Reagan, Jesse Walter Arbor, Dalton Louis Baugh, Frank Ellis Sublett
MIDDLE ROW: Graham Edward Martin, Charles Byrd Lear, Phillip George Barnes, Reginald E. Goodwin
BOTTOM ROW: James Edward Hair, Samuel Edward Barnes, George Clinton Cooper, William Sylvester White, Dennis Denmark Nelson.

In January 1944, the naval officer corps was all white. There were some one hundred thousand African American enlisted men in the Navy, however, none were officers. In response to growing pressure from American civil rights organizations, the leaders of the Navy reluctantly set about commissioning a few as officers. Sixteen black enlisted men were summoned to Camp Robert Smalls, Great Lakes Training Station in Illinois. All had demonstrated top-notch leadership abilities as enlisted men. Seizing the moment, these young men worked as a team to complete their studies and, thereby, charted the course of equal opportunity in the Navy for all succeeding years. During their officer candidate training, they compiled a class average of 3.89, a record that has yet to be broken. Although all passed the course, in March 1944, thirteen of the group made history when they became the U.S. Navy’s first African-American officers on active duty.




The USS Mason.

The USS Mason was the only ship crewed by black sailors to see combat. Although known as "Eleanor’s Folly," the Mason served with distinction during World War II. During the worst North Atlantic storm of the century, the Mason was serving as escort to a convoy of merchant ships bound for England.




The Red Ball Express.

Nearly 75 percent of all Red Ball Express drivers were African American. That’s because well before and during the war, U.S. commanders in general believed African Americans had no mettle or guts for combat. Consequently, the Army relegated blacks primarily to "safe" service and supply outfits and the Navy assigned them as mess stewards. All Marines are combat troops -- the Corps refused to take blacks at all until 1942.


969th Field Artillery Battalion. Remembering the Invisible Soldiers of the Battle of the Bulge.


The Invisible Soldiers of the Battle of the Bulge: The Wereth 11


Everyone knows of the Tuskegee Airman, some know of the 761st Tank Battalion and the Red Ball Express, however the majority of African Americans, who served in World War II, 260,000 in the European theatre of operations, were not forgotten to history, they were simply never acknowledged. Their ranks include two segregated artillery battalions, the
333rd and 969th Field Artillery Battalion. They are the invisible soldiers of the Battle of the Bulge.

During World War II, American society believed in racial segregation and that Black Americans were not physically or mentally capable of being combat soldiers. Many Black and White Americans opposed this concept and lobbied for participation by Black citizens in the Armed Forces and especially in combat units. While most units composed of
African-Americans were considered support or labor units some specially designated combat units were created. These units were to be composed of black men and white officers. Two of these special units were the 333rd and 969th field artillery battalions. Black enlisted men, mostly draftees from the South, and White officers, formed these two units. Training took place at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma in mid 1942. Many of the men came directly from their homes to Camp Gruber for their military training. The men underwent basic Army training as well as specialized training to learn how to operate the large 155mm howitzers. The units went on the famous Louisiana maneuvers in early 1943 and received high scores for their efficiency and accuracy. By the time they were sent to England in January 1944 they were well trained, well disciplined units.

In England, each unit was stationed in a small English village. Most English people had never before met a black man but immediately grew to like the “black Yanks”. The townspeople remember the men with fondness and respect. The soldiers found the English people friendly and welcoming, inviting them to their homes for dinner. Additionally the
men attended local dances and socialized with the English girls. For many of the men, especially those from the strongly segregated South, this was truly a wonderful and distinctive experience. With the invasion of Europe the units were sent into combat at the end of June 1944. They fought separately throughout the Normandy and Brittany campaigns supporting
different units in combat. During this time they were strafed by enemy aircraft, attacked by infantry, and saw continuous combat from June to September 1944. They never wavered in their duty.

October 1944 found the 333rd in the small Belgium village of Schoenberg ten miles behind the front lines. The 969th was further south in Luxembourg. Both units settled in for the winter and were told to expect to be in these positions until spring. As supporting artillery their mission was to fire artillery shells into Germany. This they did on a regular daily basis. They also tried to improve their living conditions by constructing log dugouts and trying to stay as warm as possible.
That winter in Europe was the coldest in 50 years with frequent snow and sub-zero temperatures. Everyone believed the war was almost over.

On the morning of December 16, 1944, the Germans initiated the Battle of the Bulge with massive artillery, tank and infantry attacks along a sixty-mile front. At first the American high command thought this was a minor counterattack and were hesitant to move units towards the rear and away from the danger of the attack. The 333rd was initially ten miles behind the front lines, but the rapid advance of the Germans caused the American high command to order half of the 333rd further west, but leave the other half of the unit to support the 106th Infantry Division fighting the German attack. By the morning of December 17, the remainder of the unit, including the battalion commander, was cut off by German infantry that had encircled them, and were forced to surrender. The black GIs then joined long columns of American prisoners being marched back into Germany. Eleven of the men escaped the initial capture and tried to walk back to American lines. After walking for many hours through deep snow they were taken in by a Belgian farmer and given hot food in the small village of Wereth. Unfortunately a German patrol of the 1st SS Panzer Division came to the village and the men had no choice but to surrender. After making the men sit on the frozen ground until dark the Germans marched them to the corner of a cow pasture where they were brutalized and murdered.



Further to the South, the 969th had immediately been ordered to move at the beginning of the German offensive. They were ordered to the small Belgium town of Bastogne in support of the 101st Airborne Division. Together their job was to stop the German advance. By coincidence they were joined by the surviving members and howitzers of their sister battalion of the 333rd who had narrowly missed being surrounded at Schoenberg. The Germans quickly surrounded Bastogne. The guns and men of the 969th and 333rd continued to support the 101st Airborne with artillery fire through the severest of conditions. The men lived outside in foxholes in sub-zero temperatures, there was no hot food, little ammunition, and as the Germans tried desperately to overrun the American positions many of the artillerymen were forced to fight as infantrymen to repel German attacks. A German bombing raid on Christmas Eve 1944 killed two of the officers, and three enlisted men. When the weather cleared on Christmas day, American aircraft were able to drop supplies to the beleaguered men but not the heavy ammunition needed by the howitzers. Finally on December 27th,gliders landed with the much-needed ammunition for the howitzers. The units continued to fight but the siege of Bastogne was lifted. For their service during this time the 969th and the survivors of the 333rd, who had fought with them, were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award a unit can receive.

Unfortunately the 333rd had suffered such severe casualties that the unit never fought again and many of the men were transferred to the 969th. The 969th continued in action until the end of the war and was disbanded after the war ended.

The black artillerymen returned home to an America that was still racially segregated. One man who had been taken prisoner at Schonberg and held for five months tried to get veteran benefits for his ordeal as a Prisoner of War. He was told that no black GIs were ever taken prisoner so he could not get POW benefits. There were no ticker tape parades or reunions for them. They got on with their lives and most tried to forget the war as best they could. Except for the families of the dead men they were all but forgotten. But not everyone forgot.

In 1994 the son of the Belgian farmer, who had given the eleven men of the 333rd food and shelter before the Germans murdered them, erected a small cross, with the names of the dead, in the corner of the pasture where they were killed,as a private gesture from the family on the fiftieth anniversary of their deaths. But the memorial and the tiny hamlet of Wereth remained basically unknown. In a tiny hamlet with no school or shops, there were no signs on the roadways to indicate the memorial, and it was not listed in any guides or maps to the Battle of the Bulge battlefield. Even people looking for it had trouble finding it in the small German speaking community.

In 2001, three Belgium citizens embarked on the task of creating a fitting memorial to these men, the Wereth 11, and additionally to honor all black GI’s of World War II. A grassroots publicity and fund-raising endeavor was begun in Belgium and America. The land was purchased and a fitting memorial was created. It is the only memorial to the black G.I.s of WW II and their units in Europe. There are now road signs indicating the location of the memorial, and the Belgium Tourist Bureau lists it in “Battle of the Bulge” brochures. The dedication of the memorial was held in 2004 in an impressive military ceremony. The memorial stands today as a reminder of American sacrifice during WW II, no longer forgotten. The goal of the memorial is to make the Wereth 11 and all black GI’s “visible” to Americans, and to history. They, like so many others, paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Members of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion killed at Wereth.

Curtis Adams
George Davis
Thomas J. Forte
Robert Green
Jim Leatherwood
Bradley Meagler
Nathaniel Moss
George W. Moten
William M. Pritchett
James A. Stewart
Due W. Turner


Army Pvt.William M. Pritchett, and James Aubry Stewart killed at Wereth.

"White MPs were called in. armed with machine guns...They shot everything that moved, until nothing did; not one defenseless soldier got away. When the shooting stopped, over 1200 members of the 364th were slaughtered." In December of 1943, over one thousand black soldiers were slaughtered at Camp Van Dorn, located just outside the sleepy southern town of Centerville Mississippi. These enlisted men weren’t killed in combat with the enemy, but lined up and mowed down, unarmed, by white soldiers acting on orders from superiors in the US Army. Unbelievable, isn`t it? The first thought I had upon hearing about the incident was that it couldn’t possibly be true. So, I got my hands on the book, The Slaughter, written by Carroll Case, a local, white Mississippi journalist who blew the cover off this shocking, long-rumored massacre.


First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker.

LASTING VALOR: NBC to Honor Black War Hero.

Feb. 23, 2006 NBC aired a prime-time documentary about the little-known story of Vernon J. Baker, a black WWII soldier who waited half a century for this nation to recognize his valor. In April 1945, Vernon J. Baker led his all-black infantry platoon in a daring attack on a Nazi stronghold in northern Italy. Against incredible odds, he and his men slipped three miles behind enemy lines and significantly crippled German defenses. Baker single-handedly took out German machine gun nests, bunkers and an observation post. By the end of the battle, only Baker and six of his men survived.

White Southern commanders dismissed Baker’s courage and sacrifice, just as they dismissed the heroics of other black heroes who were part of the last segregated regular Army units to go to combat for the United States. Fifty-two years later, the Army reexamined its records and bestowed the Medal of Honor -- the nation’s highest distinction for battlefield valor -- on seven black soldiers. Only Baker was alive to receive the medal at a January 1997 White House ceremony.

Alcan Highway


95th Engineer Regiment - Colored World War II, 1942-1943, Canadian Wilderness. 10,607 U.S. soldiers built a road 1,522 miles long in 8 months. 3,695 of these soldiers were Black men.


History of the Alcan Highway

Military policy during World War II decreed that Blacks would not be sent to northern climes or active duty, but after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the need for an inland route to Alaska appeared vital. Manpower was scarce, and segregated troops were shipped north under the leadership of white commanders... despite protest from the U.S. Army commander in Alaska, Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, son of a Confederate general whose negative attitude toward Blacks was legendary. The construction of the 1,522 mile long road from Dawson Creek, British Colombia, to Fairbanks, Alaska through rugged, unmapped wilderness was heralded as a near impossible engineering feat. Many likened it to the building of the Panama Canal. There was much praise for soldiers who pushed it through in just eight months and twelve days. However, Black battalions were seldom mentioned in publicity releases, despite the fact that they numbered 3,695 in troop strength of 10,670.

According to the testimony of their commanders, these men did an exceptional job under duress. Ill housed, often living in tents with insufficient clothing and monotonous food, they worked 20 hour days through a punishing winter. Temperatures hovered at 40-below-zero for weeks at a time. A new record low of -79 was established. The majority of these troops were from the South; yet, they persevered. On the highway's completion, many were decorated for their efforts and then sent off to active duty in Europe and the South Pacific. The veterans of the Army's Black Corps of Engineers were members of the 93rd, 95th, 97th and 388th units. Due to the fine showing of these Black troops and others, the U.S. military integrated all units during the Korean Conflict, becoming the first government agency in the United States to do so.
The road, originally called the Alaskan-Canadian Highway quickly adopted the shortened name Alcan Highway. Today, this road, known as the Alaska Highway, still provides the only land route to Alaska.





Swearing-in of William Baldwin, the first African-American Navy recruit for General Service. June 2, 1942.


Reginald Brandon, the first African-American graduate of the Radio Training School of the Maritime Commission. Upon assignment he had the rank of ensign.


Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the first African-American general in the U.S. Army, watches a Signal Corps crew erecting poles, somewhere in France. August 8, 1944. His son, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., graduated from West Point and commanded the Tuskegee Airmen.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

African American Women’s Contribution.

Auxiliaries Ruth Wade (on left) and Lucille Mayo demonstrate their ability to service trucks at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. December 8, 1942.

Welders Alivia Scott, Hattie Carpenter, and Flossie Burtos are about to weld their first piece of steel on the ship SS George Washington Carver at Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California. 1943.



German Prisoners of War in Mississippi. 1943-1946

Camp Clinton; one of four major POW base camps established in Mississippi, was unique among the other camps because it housed the highest-ranking German officers. Twenty-five generals were housed there along with several colonels, majors, and captains. The high-ranking generals had special housing. Lower ranking officers had to content themselves with small apartments. General Von Arnim, Rommel`s replacement, lived in a house and was furnished a car and driver. Some people swore that General Von Arnim attended movies in Jackson because the Movie Theater was the only air-conditioned place in town. Black soldiers could not eat, or go the movie in town, but these German prisoners could.

Although a dress uniform is not a part of the regular equipment, most of the Negro Marines spend $54 out of their pay for what is generally considered the snappiest uniform in the armed services... Photo shows a group of the Negro volunteers in their dress uniforms May 1943.

The first Negro to be commissioned in the Marine Corps has his second lieutenant's bars pinned on by his wife. He is Frederick C. Branch of Charlotte, NC." November 1945.

Spike Lee slams Clint Eastwood movie Flags of Our Fathers

Director Spike Lee hit out at Clint Eastwood for failing to provide a role for a single African-American soldier in Flags of Our Fathers, Eastwood's film about the Battle of Iwo Jima.

In Flags of our Fathers, Eastwood exposes the cynical fashion in which the iconic flag-raisers of Iwo Jima were exploited in order to help boost the war effort. With Eastwood's keen eye for injustice, you would think he would have noted that his movie renders all-but-invisible the role of black troops in the battle. This isn't a minor detail - almost a thousand African Americans took part in the historic battle.

Spike Lee is right on the mark with his criticism. The irony is that while Clint Eastwood exposes exploitative practices and government hypocrisy in his film, he overlooks the contribution of African-American soldiers at Iwo Jima - soldiers who were themselves subject to discrimination. As Spike Lee put it: “Here’s the paradox ... These African-American men wanted to fight against fascism in the name of democracy. At the same time, they were still second-class citizens.”

Lee made clear that Eastwood had been informed about the African-Americans who fought at Iwo Jima but had chosen to overlook that "information."


"Iwo Jima...Negro Marines on the beach at Iwo Jima are, from left to right, Pfcs. Willie J. Kanody, Elif Hill, and John Alexander." March 1945.

At a later point, a reporter from the London Times, present at the press conference in Cannes for Eastwood's new movie, L'Exchange, asked for a response to Spike Lee's criticism. According to The Times report of the interchange, Eastwood stared at the audience in silence while the compere declined to accept the question, since it didn't relate to L'Exchange. A spokesperson for Eastwood also refused comment.

Defenders of the movie have argued that black units had an auxiliary role and weren't actively involved in the fighting. It's true that most black units were assigned to ammunition and supply roles, however this quickly changed in the heat of battle. The Japanese resistance was fierce and black soldiers took on a combat role.

Nobody is suggesting that Eastwood and his producers should have gone the extra mile and then some, in order to create roles for African-Americans. But the historical narrative isn't well served by a film that completely ignores an important feature of the black American troop presence on Iwo Jima.

The part played by African American troops on Iwo Jima isn't simply anecdotal. It has been documented in a number of books - notably Christopher Moore's, fighting for America: Black Soldiers - The Unsung Heroes of World War ll.

Yvonne Latty, a University professor from New York and the author of We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans has argued that films "become our history, historical documents." Prior to the film's release, she appealed directly to Eastwood and the producers to touch upon the experience of African-American soldiers, but to little avail.

The tradition of whitewashing the role of African-Americans in WW2 isn't anything new. Melton McLaurin, author of the Marines of Montford Point, says there were hundreds of black soldiers on Jima from the first day of the 35 day battle. McLaurin also noted:

"One of the marines I interviewed said that the people who were filming newsreel footage on Iwo Jima deliberately turned their cameras away when black folks came by."

Peleliu Island...Marines move through the trenches on the beach during the battle." September 15, 1944

"Marines, following the rapid Japanese retreat northward on Okinawa, pause for a moments rest at the base of a Japanese war memorial. They are (on steps) Pfc. F. O. Snowden; Navy Pharmacist's Mate, 2nd class R. Martin; (on monument, left to right) Pvt. J. T. Walton, Pvt. R. T. Ellenberg, Pfc. Clyde Brown, Pvt. Robb Brawner. Photo was taken during the battle for Okinawa." April 12, 1945.

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE FIRST BLACK MARINES.


Howard P. Perry, the first African-American to enlist in the U.S. Marines. Breaking a 167-year-old barrier, the U.S. Marine Corps started enlisting African-Americans on June 1, 1942.

Annie Grimes of my home town of Chicago, IL. was the third African-American woman to join the Corps and the first to become an officer.

Korean War (1950-1953)

3,100 African Americans lost their lives in the Korean conflict.
In 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, integrating U.S. armed forces. Five years later, during the war, blacks represented 13 percent of all U.S. forces; 40 percent of that number in combat units. There were 3,100 blacks killed (8.4 percent of the total), and two soldiers awarded Medals of Honor.









Jesse LeRoy Brown October 1926 – December 1950 was the first African-American naval aviator in the United States Navy.


USS Jesse L. Brown (DE/FF/FFT-1089) was a Knox-class frigate of the US Navy. She was named for Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American naval aviator in the US Navy.

Vietnam War (1961-73)


USS Constellation (CVA-64)

Flight deck crew prepares for air operations, in the Gulf of Tonkin, 1972.




Blacks represented nearly 10 percent of all active-duty military personnel, and suffered 12.4 percent of the combat deaths.

Of the infantry in Southeast Asia, black troops represented 15%. In Marine units, blacks were nearly 9% of the total. In elite combat units, the NY Times reported, one of every four combat troops was black.


1971 Samuel L. Gravely the first black Admiral of the US Navy.


Carl Maxie Brashear (January 19, 1931 – July 25, 2006) was the first African American to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver in 1970. In 2000, Brashear's military service was portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the film Men of Honor.


In September 1979, Hazel Winifred Johnson became the first Black woman promoted to the rank and position of Brigadier General, Chief of the Army Nurse Corps.


In 1979 Lieutenant General Frank Petersen was the first African-American promoted to the rank of general in the Marine Corps.


Major General Marcelite J. Harris was the first African-American female general of the United States Air Force.


The Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was a 1983 U.S.-led invasion of Grenada, a Caribbean island nation of just over 100,000 population.


The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989, during the George H.W. Bush administration, and ten years after the Torrijos–Carter Treaties were ratified to transfer control of the canal from the United States back to Panama by the year 2000. During the invasion, de facto Panamanian leader, general, and dictator Manuel Noriega was deposed, president-elect Guillermo Endara sworn into office and the Panamanian Defense Force dissolved.


1989 Colin Powell the first African-American selected Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Persian Gulf War,Desert Shield/Desert Storm. 1990-1991


Approximately 104,000 (24.5% of the total troops deployed) who served in Saudi Arabia were black. Some 27 died during Operation Desert Storm, equaling 15% of the total.








1992 The Buffalo Soldier Monument dedicated at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.


1994 The US Postal Service issues the commemorative Buffalo Soldier stamp.


Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and the So-Called hunt for weapon of Mass Destruction. 2002-?

Celebrating the Legacy: African-American Women Serving in the defense of this Nation.

We have the unique opportunity to reflect on the contributions and achievements of thousands of black women who have served in our nation’s defense. Whether on the battlefield or off, in times of war or peace, at home or abroad, the history of African-American women’s service is as long as it is distinguished. Since the Civil War—and likely since the American Revolution, though no early documentation has been discovered—African-American women have served in every war and conflict and in every branch of service. From nurses to spies, postal clerks to fighter pilots and cooks to drill sergeants, black women have selflessly served in every military career field imaginable for more than a century.
Here are but a few snapshots of the numerous contributions of African-American servicewomen, which have gone largely unrecognized, throughout our nation’s history:

Did you know …

Harriet Tubman served as a spy, scout and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. An escaped slave made famous for her work with the Underground Railroad before the Civil War, she passed undetected through Confederate lines and acted as a liaison between Union troops and recently freed black slaves. In 1913, Tubman was buried with full military honors at Ft. Hill Cemetery, Auburn, NY.

Harriet Tubman

Black “immune” nurses served as Army contract nurses during the Spanish-American War. The 32 “immunes” were thought to be immune to yellow fever during the yellow fever and typhoid epidemics, but at least three of them died from their exposure to the illness. A total of 80 African-American professional nurses served under contract with the Army, including five graduates from the prestigious Tuskegee Institute

Nurses, Spanish-American War.

African-American women served in WWI as Yeomen (F). Of the 12,000 Yeomen (F) who served from 1917-1921, 14 were black.

During WWI, 18 black nurses served as Red Cross reserve nurses. After the Armistice, Nov. 11, 1918, they entered the Army Nurse Corps and cared for POWs. They were assigned to Camp Grant, IL, and Camp Sherman, OH, and lived in segregated quarters while caring for German POWs and black soldiers.

Army nurse Nancy Minnis, World War I. Army Nurse Corps

A survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race riot, reportedly one of the worst race riots in US history, Olivia J. Hooker enlisted as one of the first black women to join the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARs) during WWII. Encouraged to enlist by her friend, Alex Haley, a cook aboard the USCGC Mendota, she served from 1945-46. She used her GI Bill benefits to study for her master’s and doctorate in psychology. Executive Order 9981, signed in July 1948 by President Harry S. Truman, mandated an end to racial discrimination and segregation in the US Armed Forces. Of the approximately 600 women stationed in Korea during the entire three years of the Korean War, only a few were African-American. Army nurse LT Evelyn Decker, who served in several segregated hospitals before her Korea assignment, served in integrated hospitals in Korea.

Army nurse LT. Evelyn Decker

Black WAC Pvt. Sarah Keys refused to take a seat at the back of the bus she was riding in while traveling home on leave in August 1952—three years before Rosa Parks took her historic “seat” on the Montgomery, AL, bus. PVT Keys was arrested for disorderly conduct, but she fought back. She and former WAAC/WAC and lawyer Dovey Johnson Roundtree took the case to the Interstate Commerce Commission. After three years, in November 1955, the ICC issued a ruling that outlawed race-based seating on inter-state transportation.

Pvt. Sarah Keys.

Of the two Army nurses awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in Vietnam, one was African-American 1LT Diane Lindsay. She was cited for restraining a Vietnamese soldier patient, who had pulled a pin from a live grenade at the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. 1LT Lindsay helped convince the soldier to relinquish a second grenade, avoiding additional casualties.

1st LT. Diane Lindsay.

In 1972, Mildred C. Kelly became the first African-American woman E9 (Sergeant Major) in the US Armed Forces. She began her Army career in 1950 with the intention of staying for one three-year tour to save money to return to graduate school. She retired 26 years later as a command sergeant major.

Black women were among the first 81 women who enrolled as midshipmen at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, in 1976. It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of the 41,000 servicewomen serving in Operation Desert Shield/Storm were black women. Since 1997, African-American women have been among the elite few chosen to guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

USMC 1st Lt. Vernice Armour became the first African-American woman combat pilot in the USMC and US military history in 2003. Formerly an enlisted Army reservist, Lt. Armour flew her Cobra helicopter in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1st Lt. Vernice Armour

There are currently 95,000 black women serving on Active Duty, Reserve or Guard in the US military today; and there are 350,000 African-American living women veterans in the United States.



First Black Female Prisoner of War Tells Harrowing Story


Shoshana Johnson
Much like the powerful images of Tuskegee airmen in full regalia sidled next to their planes during World War II, the image of Shoshana Johnson being escorted to safety after her captivity in Iraq is indelibly imprinted in the minds of television viewers across the world.
It was especially poignant for African Americans, who saw it as a fleeting moment of vindication for a time when blacks in the military were not acknowledged for their service. Now, years later, Johnson, a former U.S. Army cook has helped change history again for blacks in the military. She was thrust into the spotlight when, in the early days of the Iraq War, she was shot in both ankles as her convoy of mechanics, cooks and disabled vehicles wandered into the city of Nasiriyah, Johnson writes in her newly released memoir, 'I'm Still Standing: From Captive U. S. Soldier to Free Citizen--My Journey Home.'

The wandering convoy touched off a bloody battle that left 11 U.S. soldiers dead and six abducted and held as prisoners of war, including Johnson and her friend, Jessica Lynch, she writes in the gripping memoir released just in time for Black History Month.

"I was shaking,'' she writes. "I was saying the Lord's Prayer to myself...when someone grabbed my legs and pulled me from my shelter. And like that, I became a prisoner of war.''

She became the first female prisoner of war in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. history. But the Pentagon peddled Lynch's story, saying she went down fighting. Lynch later wrote a book correcting the story, saying she never fired a shot before being critically injured.

While Johnson's ordeal received less media attention, she was treated like a star on her home base at Fort Bliss, Texas. She was given light duties to allow her wounds to heal and was assigned by ranking officers and supervisors to represent the Army at high-profile events, which drew grumblings and rancor from some of her fellow soldiers.

"Being a POW was horrible, but some of the comments I received from fellow soldiers felt just as bad,'' she said in an interview with BV on Books. "I had a lot of support from the African American community, but it's like someone once said, 'Not every black person is your friend, and not every white person is your enemy. A black male was upset because I went to an Oscar De La Hoya fight. He was like, 'I was in the same Army and I didn't get to go.' I was like, 'did you get shot? We had totally different experiences. That hurt my heart. There was another white officer who accused me of housing fraud and said I wasn't living with my child.''

Johnson was rescued in April 2003, but by late August, she was severely depressed, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and at risk of endangering her relationship with her daughter. She requested a medical discharge.

"I wrote my story to set the record straight,'' she said in the interview. "There is so much out there that happened to me from people who were not there. I just wanted to tell my story and let it be known. I'm not naïve. There are people who will still say that is not what happened, but I know in my heart what is true.''

She is critical of the nation's military efforts in Iraq. "I never understood the politics of what's going into Iraq. I want my fellow soldiers to come home. It's not something I can watch on the news. It's very tender.''

Johnson said she still suffers from the aftereffects of combat. "It's going to be a long, hard road to get better,'' she said. "I take medication. It won't ease up as long as these conflicts are going on in the Middle East. I just have to get over the guilt of living when good people died. It's hard, but each day gets easier.''

'I'm Still Standing' is a riveting piece of black history that should be read for generations. It also is a compelling story of a woman's courage to survive against all odds.

Shoshana Johnson

I Bet you did not know this? The Murder and rape of female soilders.

Who Murder/Rape PFC. LaVena L. Johnson?

I am a Veteran. Both humbled by and proud of my service to the Nation that gave me birth. However, there is something deeply wrong when the military reduces itself to covering up crimes – any crime – committed by a service member or contractor to the military.

The story of PFC LaVena L. Johnson – an American Hero. A young woman determined to make her own way through higher education by following a Family Tradition of military service to this Nation. One of our proud soldiers found dead in Iraq some eight days before her 20th birthday from what the Army declared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Right away I had the “shields up” feeling I get when I’m about to be hit by Liberal anti-military/anti-American horseshit -or- the increasingly lame “I-can’t-get-a-break-because-I’m-Black” syndrome made famous by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Still, I try to give every story a fair read because sometimes great Truths can be found in the strangest places.


PVT. LaVena L. Johnson, 19, of Florissant, MO, died in Balad of non-combat gunshot injuries and burns. She was assigned as a weapons supply manager to the Army's 129th Corps Support Battalion, a logistics support unit at Fort Campbell, KY. She was a 2004 graduate of Hazelwood Central High School where she was an honor roll student with straight A’s her senior year. LaVena played the violin and belonged to the school’s orchestra. She volunteered for American Heart Association walks and donated blood. When she was a senior, LaVena decided she wanted to join the Army. She wanted to travel and wait a while before starting college. Her mother tried to talk her out of it but that didn’t work. LaVena enlisted in September and arrived at Fort Campbell in February and almost immediately deployed to Iraq. Her death remains under investigation since her body shows signs of assault and there was a blood trail outside her tent where she was found. Is this another Pat Tillman style cover-up? Was her death a murder or suicide? Doesn't she deserve a full investigation also? Please sign The Pfc. LaVena Johnson Petition! Her parents John and Linda Carter Johnson survive her along with four siblings. After reading Documents and photos suggest foul play in death of Private Johnson maybe you can decide for yourself if there is a cover-up going on! Midtown Films has made a well done documentary about her death titled: LaVena Johnson-The Silent Truth.
Please go to this link http://www.midtownfilms.com/

Another program aired on DemocracyNow.org if you'd like to see part of it go to "Female Iraq soldier brutally killed/raped"!
Please go to this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27d71wzg-h4


SGT Denise A Lannaman, 46, of Bayside (Queens), NY died at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait while serving with the Army's 63rd Engineering Company from a non-combat gunshot wound. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Denise came to the US, became a naturalized citizen and served in the US Navy and Navy Reserve for nine years. She held various jobs such as lifeguard, swimming instructor, electrician, mechanic, etc. Denise had also been a firefighter, scuba diver, paramedic and filmmaker. She had lived in France and England. She decided to join the NY Army National Guard in May 2003. Trained as a truck driver in the Army National Guard, Denise originally was deployed to Iraq with the 1569th Transportation Company, based out of Newburgh, NY in January 2005. When her unit returned to the US, Denise asked to stay so she was then assigned to the 63rd. Following the death of an officer at Camp Arifjan who was accused of shaking down a laundry contractor, Denise also had been questioned. She was told she would be sent home in disgrace but it is unknown if she was accused of being somehow involved with the officer's bribery charge, if it had something to do with her being a lesbian, or if it was something else. But that same day Denise was found dead in a jeep. Was her death a murder or suicide? In September 2007 her mother received a letter from the Army along with Denise's Honorable Discharge certificate! Her survivors include her mother Barbara Lannaman and sister Michelle Forgennie.

Who killed Major Gloria D Davis?

Major Gloria D Davis Date of Death 6 December 2006

Major Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, MO became the Heartland's first female casualty. She died in Baghdad at Camp Victory from a non-combat gunshot which is under investigation. This was her second tour of duty in Iraq. She was assigned to the Defense Security Assistance Agency in Washington, DC which handles sales of military equipment to foreign nations. Before deploying to Iraq Gloria had worked in the Pentagon and was suppose to be there on 11 September 2001 but had taken the day off to visit her daughter. Originally from Portageville, MO Gloria had been in the Army for 18-years and in Iraq since September. Before joining the Army she had received her master’s degree and worked as a police officer near Columbia, MO. After being assigned to the Washington, DC area she became involved at women’s shelters, and helped get disadvantaged African-American children into ROTC programs. Gloria was buried in Arlington National Cemetery and there was a memorial service held in Portageville for family and friends who couldn’t attend the service in Arlington. She is survived by her mother Annie Washington of Portageville; son Damien Thomas; daughter Candace Thomas; and granddaughter Kennedy. It has been reported in The New York Times (US says company bribed officers for work in Iraq--31 Aug 07) that Gloria had admitted to an Army investigator that she had accepted at least $225,000 in bribes from Lee Dynamics. The following day she committed suicide. The US has begun proceedings to seize her assets, a move her heirs are contesting. A point that needs to be brought out about this death is the CID calls this a suicide by gun and that she shot herself with her left hand. Gloria was right-handed! She was planning to retire in 2 years and according to her mother the military hasn't found the money it claims Gloria took in bribes.


SSG Alicia A (Finklea) Birchett, 29, of Mashpee, MA died in Baghdad from injuries suffered from a non-combat accident. She was assigned as an engineer mechanic to the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. An investigation is under way. Alicia (known as Little Brown Bee) was a member of the Wampanoag tribe from the Cape Cod area. She grew up in Mashpee and was described as an adventurous woman who was dedicated to her country and family, and proud of her heritage. Her family has been told that she was changing a flat tire when the brakes of the truck failed resulting in her death.


USN MASN Genesia Mattril Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, GA died in Bahrain from injuries she received during a non-combat gunshot. In fact it has come out that she was murdered by another sailor who had a previous relationship with her. She was serving as a Master-at-Arms Seaman (E-3) assigned to the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Genesia enlisted in November 2006 and was assigned to this unit in March 2007.


SPC Christine M Ndururi, 21, of Dracut, MA died in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait while supporting OIF from a non-combat illness. She was assigned as an automated logistical specialist to the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. Her death is under investigation. Originally from Kenya her family moved to Massachusetts in 2002.


Spc. Keisha Morgan's heart and brain removed by Army?

Army Spc. Keisha M. Morgan, 25, Washington, D.C., died [February 22] in Baghdad of a non-combat related cause; assigned to the Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.Yet again, the Army is sweeping the mysterious death of a female soldier under the rug. Keisha’s mother, Diana, (who is a friend of mine) has been told that the Army “doesn’t know” how Keisha died. Keisha’s best friend, Ruby, found her on the floor of their Baghdad barracks, having a seizure, but responsive. She died, according to WTOP news, “a short time later.”

Diana says that she spoke to Keisha less than a week before she died. Keisha was a 25-year-old in the peak of health who had just reenlisted (excited to be going “from green to gold”) and was as happy as she had ever been. She was engaged to a wonderful young man working as a civilian contractor in Iraq. He was visiting family in (IRRC) Puerto Rico when she died. He was interrogated for about four hours. I hope that was just information gathering abouther friends, routine, etc., but I’m not sanguine about that. In spite of almost a month’s time and two autopsies, Keisha’s cause of death is still “unknown.” Her fiance and mother wanted to have an independent autopsy performed but were informed by the Army that her brain and heart had been removed because of the ongoing “investigation,” so another autopsy would be pointless. Am I the only one who finds that the teensiest bit suspect? If they suspected drugs or epilepsy or anything else innocuous, wouldn’t they just say so?
go here for the rest.


USN NC Cherie Morton, 40, of Bakersfield, CA died of a non-combat injury in her quarters in Qalali, Muharraq in Bahrain. She was assigned to Naval Security Force, Naval Support Activity Bahrain as a Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Command Career Counselor (NC) for the Southwest Asia area. Cherie had served 15 years in the Navy and was twice awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal on four occasions.. She was born in Rockford, IL and graduated from West Rockford High School. Cherie is survived by her father Richard Gary of Rockford; her mother Mary Hughes also of Rockford; her son Brian Trevor of Los Angeles; and a sister Angelia Hughes. At this point investigators don’t suspect foul play. Cherie was in excellent health but had complained about occasional headaches. She was found on the floor in her living room after apparently suffering a head injury, according to sources.



Honoring those who fought and died in The Oklahoma City bombing, The Pentagon, Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.



USA SFC Lola Renee Bolden, 40, Birmingham, AL, Killed in the Oklahoma City bombing: On April 19, 1995.

USAF A1C Lakesha R. Levy, 21 New Orleans, La, Killed in the Oklahoma City bombing: On April 19, 1995.

USN CSSN Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, Woodleaf, NC, died October 12, 2000, serving aboard the USS Cole in Yemen.

USN SN Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, San Diego, CA, died October 12, 2000, serving aboard the USS Cole in Yemen.

Army SGT Tamara Thurman, 25, Brewton, AL, Killed in The Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

Army LTC Karen J. Wagner, 40, Houston, TX, Killed in The Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

Navy Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryant L. Davis 20, of Chicago,Il, Died on Nov. 7, 2001 in the Arabian Sea

Marine Navy Electrician’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Michael J. Jakes Jr. 20, of Brooklyn N.Y.; Died on Dec. 4, 2001 in the Arabian Sea.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Stephen L. Bryson 36, of Montgomery, Ala.; Died on Jan. 9, 2002 in Pakistan.

Marine Corps Sgt. Jeannette L. Winters 25, of Gary, Ind.; killed Jan. 9, 2002 in Pakistan.

USN SN Katrina R Grady, 29, Greenville, MS died April 18, 2002 in Bethesda Naval Medical Center, MD.

Army Pfc. Spence A. McNeil 19, of Bennettsville, Texas; died on March 8, 2003, in Saudi Arabia.

Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey 29, of Baltimore, MD; Killed March 20, 2003 in killed in Kuwait.

Marine Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson 22, of Smithville, Mo.; Killed March 22, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pvt. 2 Brandon Ulysses Sloan 19, of Bedford Heights, Ohio; Killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Howard Johnson II 21, of Mobile, Ala.; Killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. George Edward Buggs 31, of Barnwell, S.C.; Killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jamaal R. Addison 22, of Roswell, Ga.; Killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Marine Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett 21, of Erie, N.Y.; Killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Vann Johnson Jr.
25, of Little Rock, Ark.; Killed March 25, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Roderic A. Solomon 32, of Fayetteville, N.C.; Killed March 28, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Eugene Williams 24, of Highland, N.Y.; Killed March 29, 2003 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. William W. White 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Killed March 29, 2003 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Brian E. Anderson 26, of Durham, N.C.; Killed on April 2, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Wilbert Davis 40, of Tampa, Fla.; Killed on April 3, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Wilfred D. Bellard 20, of Lake Charles, La.; Killed on April 4, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pvt. 2 Devon D. Jones 19, of San Diego; Killed on April 4, 2003 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Bernard G. Gooden 22, of Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; Killed on April 4, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker 34, of Apollo, Pa.; Killed on April 5, 2003 in Iraq.

Marine 1st Sgt. Edward Smith 38, of Chicago, IL; Killed on April 5, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Larry K. Brown 22, of Jackson, Miss.; Killed on April 5, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class John W. Marshall 50, of Los Angeles;Killed on April 8, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Terry W. Hemingway 39, of Willingboro, N.J.; Killed on April 10, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Narson B. Sullivan 21, of North Brunswick, N.J.;
Died on April 25, 2003, in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Marlin T. Rockhold 23, of Hamilton, Ohio; Killed May 8, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Nathaniel A. Caldwell 27, of Omaha, Neb.; Killed May 21, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pvt. 2 David Evans Jr. 18, of Buffalo, N.Y.; Killed May 25, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Keman L. Mitchell 24, of Hilliard, Fla.; Killed May 26, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Bradley 39, of Utica, Miss.; Killed May 28, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Joseph D. Suell 24, of Lufkin, Texas; Killed June 6, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Orenthial J. Smith 21, of Allendale, S.C, was killed June 22, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Cedric L. Lennon 32, of West Blocton, Ala.; Killed June 24, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Gladimir Philippe 37, of Linden, N.J.; Killed June 28, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford Sr. 46, of Aurora, Colo.; Killed July 7, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Michael T. Crockett 27, of Soperton, Ga.; Killed July 14, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Cpl. Mark A. Bibby 25, of Watha, N.C.; Killed July 21, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter 22, Bay Shore, N.Y.; Killed July 24, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Jonathan M. Cheatham 19, of Camden, Ark.; Killed July 26, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Nathaniel Hart Jr. 29, of Valdosta, Ga.; Killed July 28, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. James I. Lambert III 22, of Raleigh, N.C.; Killed July 31, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Army Sgt. Leonard D. Simmons 33, of New Bern, N.C.; August 6, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Brandon Ramsey 21, of Calumet City, Ill.; August 8, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Taft V. Williams 29, of New Orleans; Killed August 9, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Vorn J. Mack 19, of Orangeburg, S.C.; die on August 24, 2003 in Iraq.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bruce E. Brown 32, of Coatopa, Ala.; Killed Sept. 4, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Anthony O. Thompson 26, of Orangeburg, S.C.; Killed Sept. 18, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Lunsford B. Brown II 27, of Creedmore, N.C.; Killed Sept. 20, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Simeon Hunte 23, of Essex, N.J.; Killed October 1, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Charles M. Sims 18, of Miami, Fla., Died October 3, 2003 in Iraq.

New York Army National Guard Spc. Michael L. Williams 46, of Buffalo, N.Y.; Killed October 17, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Artimus D. Brassfield 22, of Flint, Mich.; Killed October 24, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Alabama Army National Guard Sgt. Aubrey D. Bell 33, of Tuskegee, Ala.; Killed October 27, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pvt.2 Algernon Adams 36, of Aiken, S.C.; Died October 28, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Maurice J. Johnson 21, of Levittown, Pa.; Killed Nov. 1, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Darius T. Jennings 22, of Cordova, S.C.; Killed Nov. 2, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Keelan L. Moss 23, of Houston, Texas; Killed Nov. 2, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson 30, of Crystal Springs, Miss.; Killed Nov. 2, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Rayshawn S. Johnson 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Killed Nov. 3, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Morgan D. Kennon 23, of Memphis, Tenn.; Killed Nov. 7, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Cornell W. Gilmore I
45, of Baltimore, Md.; Killed Nov. 7, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Marlon P. Jackson 25, of Jersey City, N.J.; Killed Nov. 11, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Bailey 46, of Nashville, Tenn.; Died Nov. 12, 2003 in Kuwait.

Army Pfc. Damian L. Heidelberg 21, of Batesville, Miss.; Killed Nov. 15, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Wilson 45, of Thomson, Ga.; Killed Nov. 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Eddie E. Menyweather 35, of Los Angeles, Calif.; Killed Nov. 23, 2003 in Iraq.

Mississippi Army Spc. Raphael S. Davis 24, of Tutwiler, Miss.; Killed Dec. 2, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Rian C. Ferguson 22, of Taylors, S.C.; Killed Dec. 14, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Glenn R. Allison 24, of Pittsfield, Mass.; Killed Dec. 18, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Charles E. Bush Jr. 43, of Buffalo, N.Y., Killed Dec. 19, 2003 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Nathaniel H. Johnson 22, of Augusta, Ga.; Killed Jan. 9, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Jeffrey C. Walker 33, of Havre de Grace, Md.; Killed Jan. 9, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Craig Davis 37, of Opelousas, La.; Killed Jan.8, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Ricky L. Crockett 37, of Broxton, Ga.; Killed Jan 12, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Keicia M. Hines 27, of Citrus Heights, Calif.; Died Jan. 14, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Edmond L. Randle 26, of Miami, Fla.; Killed Jan. 17, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Larry E. Polley, Jr. 20, of Center, Texas; Killed Jan. 17, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Capt. Gussie M. Jones 41, of Raleigh, Ark.; Died March 13, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jason C. Ford 21, of Bowie, Md.; Killed March 13, 2004 in Iraq.

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps 44, of Chicago, IL; Killed March 17, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Bruce Miller Jr.
23, of Orange, N.J.; Died March 22, 2004 in Iraq.

Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Jallah Jr. 49 Fayetteville, N.C., died March 28 2004

Marine Master Sgt. Timothy Toney 37, of Manhattan in New York City; Died March 27, 2004 in Kuwait.

Army Pfc. William R. Strange 19, of Adrian, Ga.; Killed April 2, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Ahmed A. Cason 24, of McCalla, Ala.; Killed April 4, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus M. Cherry 18, of Imperial, Calif.; Killed April 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony P. Roberts 18, of Bear, Del.; Killed April 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Marvin L. Miller 38, of Dunn, N.C.; Killed April 7, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Tyanna S. Avery-Felder 22, of Bridgeport, Conn.; Killed April 7, 2004 in Iraq.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Antoine J. Holt 20, of Kennesaw, Ga.; Killed April 10, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Frank K. Rivers Jr, 23, of Woodbridge, Va.; Died April 14, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Leroy Harris-Kelly 20, of Azusa, Calif.; Died April 20, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Capt. Arthur L. Felder 36, of Louisville, Ark.; Killed April 24, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Marquis A. Whitaker 20, of Columbus, Ga.; Killed April 27, 2004 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Kendall Thomas 36, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, killed April 28, 2004 in Iraq

Army Pfc. Jeremy Ricardo Ewing 22, of Miami,Fla; Killed April 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Norman Darling 29, of Middleboro, Mass.; Killed April 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Esau G. Patterson Jr. 25, of Ridgeland, S.C.; Killed April 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson 33, Eastman, Georgia, Killed April 30, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Ervin Caradine Jr. 33, of Memphis, Tenn.; Killed May 2, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Lyndon A. Marcus Jr. 21, of Long Beach, Calif.; Killed May 3, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. James E. Marshall 19, of Tulsa, Okla.; Killed May 5, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Jeffrey G. Green 20, of Dallas, TX; Killed May 5, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Hesley Box Jr.24, of Nashville, Ark.; Killed May 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Barnhill 50,, Shreveport, Louisiana, Died May 14, 2004

Army Chief Warrant Officer Bruce E. Price 37, of Maryland; Killed May 15, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Leslie D. Jackson 18, of Richmond, Va.; Killed May 20, 2004 in Iraq.


Army Spc. Charles E. Odums II 22, of Sandusky, Ohio; Killed May 30, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Markus J. Johnson 0, of Springfield, Mass.; Killed June 1, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Todd J. Bolding 23, of Manvel, Texas; Killed June 3, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Melvin Y. Mora 7, of Columbia, Mo.; Killed June 6, 2004 in Iraq

Army Cpl. David M. Fraise 24, of New Orleans, La; Killed June 7 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jeremy M. Dimaranan 29, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Killed June 16, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Jason N. Lynch 21, of St. Croix, Killed June 18, 2004 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Deshon E. Otey 24, Hardin, Kentucky, killed June 21, 2004 in Iraq.

Army 2nd Lt. Andre D. Tyson 3, of Riverside, Calif.; Killed June 22, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Sgt. Kenneth Conde Jr.23, of Orlando, Fla.; Killed July 1, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Pfc. Rodricka A. Youmans 2, of Allendale, S.C.; killed July 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pvt. 1st Class Samuel R. Bowen 8, of Cleveland, Ohio; killed July 7, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Terry Holmes 22, of Hollywood, Fla.; killed July 10, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Torry D. Harris 21, of Chicago, Il; died July 13, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Cpl. Demetrius L. Rice 24, of Ortonville, N.M.; killed July 14, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Torey J. Dantzler 22, of Columbia, La.;killed July 22, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. DeForest L. Talbert 24, of Charleston, W.Va.; killed July 27, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Anthony J. Dixon 20, of Lindenwold, N.J.; killed Aug. 1, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Justin B. Onwordi 28, of Chandler, Ariz.; killed Aug. 2 , 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Tavon L. Hubbard 24, of Reston, Va.; killed Aug. 11, 2004 in Iraq.

Army 1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, 38, of Columbus, Ohio; killed Aug. 20, 2004 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Gadsden 21, Charleston, South Carolina, Killed Aug 21, 2004

Army Spc. Marco D. Ross 20, of Memphis, Tenn.; killed Aug. 25, 2004 in Iraq.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Carl L. Anderson Jr. 21, of Georgetown, S.C.; killed Aug. 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Lamont N. Wilson 20, of Lawton, Okla.; killed Sept. 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Elvis Bourdon 36, Youngstown, Ohio, killed Sept, 6, 2004 in Iraq.

Spec. Clarence Adams III 28, Richmond, Virginia, killed Sept, 7, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Adrian V. Soltau 21, of Milwaukee, WI; killed Sept. 13, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Carl Thomas 29, of Phoenix, Az.; killed Sept. 13, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Steven A. Rintamaki 21, of Lynnwood, Wash.; killed Sept 16, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Ramon Mateo 20, of Suffolk, N.Y.; killed Sept. 24, 2004 in Iraq.

Spec. Clifford L. Moxley Jr. 51, New Castle, Pennsylvania, killed Sept. 25 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Mike A. Dennie 31, of Fayetteville, N.C.; died Sept. 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Rodney A. Jones 21, of Philadelphia; killed Sept. 30, 2004 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. James L. Pettaway Jr. 37, Baltimore, Maryland, died Oct 3, 2004 in Iraq,

Army Sgt. Pamela G. Osbourne 38, of Hollywood, Fla.; killed Oct. 11, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Gadsden 21, of Charleston, S.C.; Died Oct. 22, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon 42, of North Charleston, S.C.; killed Oct. 27, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Segun Frederick Akintade 34, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; killed Oct. 28, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Battles Sr. 38, of San Antonio, Texas; Killed October 28, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Maurice Keith Fortune 25, of Forestville, Md.; killed Oct. 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Spec. Bryan L. Freeman 31, Lumberton, New Jersey, Killed Nov 8, 2004 in Iraq.

Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Julian Woods 22, of Jacksonville, Fla.; killed Nov. 10, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Jonathan B. Shields 25, of Atlanta, Ga; killed Nov.12, 2004 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Smith 22, Orlando, Florida, killed Nov, 15, 2004 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Demarkus D. Brown 22, of Martinsville, Va.; Killed Nov. 19, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Jack Bryant Jr. 23, of Dale City, Va.; Killed Nov. 20, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Michael A. Smith 24, of Camden, Ark.; Killed Nov. 26, 2004 in Iraq.

Spec. Daryl A. Davis 20, Orlando, Florida, killed Nov 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Pablo A. Calderon 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Killed Nov. 30, 2004 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Henry E. Irizarry 38, Bronx, New York, Killed Dec 3, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Andrew M. Ward 25, of Kirkland, Wash.; Killed Dec. 5, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Donald B. Farmer, 33, of Zion, Ill.; Killed Dec. 19, 2004 in Kuwait.

Army Pfc. Lionel Ayro 22, of Jeanerette, La.; Killed Dec. 21, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert S. Johnson 23, of Castro Valley, Calif.; Killed Dec. 21, 2004 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jeff LeBrun 21, of Buffalo, N.Y.; Killed Jan. 1, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Bennie J. Washington 25, of Atlanta, Ga; died January 4, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Curtis L. Wooten III 20, of Spanaway, Wash.; Killed Jan.4, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Nathaniel T. Swindell 24, Bronx, New York, Killed Jan 15, 2005

Spec. Francis C. Obaji 21, Queens Village, New York Killed Jan 17, 2005

Lance Cpl. Gael Saintvil 24, Orange, Florida, Killed Jan 26, 2005

Marine Staff Sgt. Dexter S. Kimble 30, of Houston, Texas, died January 26, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Timothy R. Osbey 34, of Magnolia, Miss.; Killed Feb.16, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Katrina L. Bell-Johnson 32, of Orangeburg, S.C.; Killed Feb. 16, 2005 in Iraq.

Pfc. Chassan S. Henry 20, West Palm Beach, Florida, killed Feb 25, 2005 in Iraq.

Pfc. Lee A. Lewis Jr. 28, Norfolk, Virginia, killed March 18, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Lee M. Godbolt 23, New Orleans, Louisiana, Killed March 26, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Isaiah J. Sinclair 31, of Natchitoches, La.; killed March 26, 2005 in Iraq.

Warrant Officer Charles G. Wells Jr. 32, Montgomery, Alabama, killed March 30, 2005 in Iraq.

Cpl. Garry Wesley T. Rimes 30, Santa Maria, California, Killed April 1, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. James A. Sherrill 27, of Ekron, Ky.; died April 3, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Romanes L. Woodard 30, Hertford, North Carolina, killed April 6, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Pendleton L. Sykes II 25, Chesapeake, Virginia, killed April 6, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Maj. Barbaralien Banks 41, of Harvey, La.; Killed April. 6, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Tromaine K. Toy Sr. 24, of Eastville, Va.; killed April 16, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Angelo L. Lozada Jr. 36, Brooklyn, New York, killed April 16, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Anthony J. Davis Jr.22, of Long Beach, Calif.; Killed April. 23, 2005 in Iraq.

Army 2nd Lt. Clifford V. Gadsden 25, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Killed April. 29, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Kenya A. Parker 26, Fairfield, Alabama, killed April 30, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. John E. McGee 36, Columbus, Georgia, killed May 2, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Tommy S. Little 47, Aliceville, Alabama, killed May 2, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. William J. Brooks 30, Birmingham, Alabama, killed May 3, 2005 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahdee 20, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Died May. 9, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Samuel T. Castle 26, of Naples, Texas; 24, Killed May 11, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Antwan L. Walker 22, of Tampa, Fla.; Killed May 18 , 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Bernard L. Sembly 25, of Bossier City, La.; Killed May 19 , 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Randy D. Collins 36, Long Beach, California, killed May 24, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Lt. Col. Albert E. Smart 41, of San Antonio, Texas; Died May 28, 2005 in Iraq.

Spec. Phillip C. Edmundson 22, Wilson, North Carolina, killed June 1, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Leroy E. Alexander 27, of Dale City, Va.; Killed June 5, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Neil A. Prince, 35, of Baltimore, MD; Killed June 11, 2005 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Dion M. Whitley,21, of Los Angeles, Calif.; Killed June 15, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher W. Phelps, 39, of Louisville, Ky.; Killed June 23, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Scottie L. Bright, 36, of Montgomery, Ala.; Killed July 5, 2005 in Iraq.

Spec. Benyahmin B. Yahudah 24, Bogart, Georgia, killed July 13, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Travis S. Cooper 24, Macon, Mississippi, killed July 16, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jefferey J. Farrow 28, Birmingham, Alabama, died July 19, 2005 in Iraq.

Pvt. Lavena L. Johnson 19, Florissant, Missouri, was Murderd and raped July 19, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. John F. Thomas 33, of Valdosta, Ga.; Killed July 24, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller 44, Covington, Georgia, killed July 24, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. James O. Kinlow 35, Thomson, Georgia, killed July 24, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Adrian J. Butler, 28, of East Lansing, Mich.; Killed July 27, 2005 in Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Andre L. Williams, 23, of Galloway, Ohio; Killed July 28, 2005 in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin G. Waruinge, 22, of Tampa, Fla.; killed Aug. 3, 2005 in Iraq.

Gunnery Sgt. Theodore Clark Jr. 31, Emporia, Virginia, killed August 4, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Brahim J. Jeffcoat, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa; Killed August 6, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. John Kulick, 35, of Harleysville, Pa.; Killed August 9, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Toccara R. Green, 23, of Rosedale, Md.; Killed August 14, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Pvt. Christopher L. Palmer, 22, of Sacramento, Calif.; Killed August 21, 2005 in Afghanistan. .

Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell 23, Baltimore, Maryland, August 26, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Monta S. Ruth 26, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, killed August 31, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. George R. Draughn Jr. 29, Decatur, Georgia, killed September 1, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Jeffrey A. Williams, 20, of Warrenville, Ill.; Killed September 5, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jude R. Jonaus 27, Miami, Florida, Killed September 6, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Regilio E. Nelom 45, Queens, New York. Killed September 17, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Roberto C. Baez, 19, of Tampa, Fla.; Killed October 2, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Moses E. Armstead 44, Rochester, New York, killed October 6, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Army Pfc. Benny S. Franklin, 19, of Hammond, La.; Killed October 7, 2005 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Leon M. Johnson 28, Jacksonville, Florida, killed October 10, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon K. Sneed 33, Norman, Oklahoma, killed October 10, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Donald D. Furman, 30, of Burton, S.C.; Killed October 12, 2005 in Iraq.

Spec. Bernard L. Ceo 23, Baltimore, Maryland, killed October 14, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Brian R. Conner, 36, of Baltimore, MD.; Killed October 14, 2005 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Poston 20, Glendale, Arizona, killed October 17, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander Jr. 34, Killeen, Texas, killed October 17, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Kendall K. Frederick, 21, of Randallstown, Md.; Killed October 19, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Michael T. Robertson 28, Houston, Texas, killed October 25, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Lewis J. Gentry 48, Detroit, Michigan, killed October 25, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Shaker T. Guy 23, Pomona, California, killed October 29, 2005 in Iraq.

Army 1st Lt. Justin S. Smith, 28, of Lansing, Mich.; Killed November 7, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe 35, Oviedo, Florida, Killed November 8, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Tyrone L. Chisholm, 27, of Savannah, Ga.; Killed November 11, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Aram J. Bass, 25, of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Killed November 23, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Spc. Marcus S. Futrell, 20, of Macon, Ga.; Killed December 2, 2005 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Philip L. Travis 41, Snellville, Georgia, Killed December 2, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Clarence L. Floyd Jr., 28, of Newark, N.J.; Killed December 10, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Julia V. Atkins 22, Bossier City, Louisiana, Killed December 10, 2005 in Iraq.

Sgt. Dominic R. Coles 25, Jesup, Georgia, killed December 26, 2005 in Iraq.

Spec. Lance S. Sage 26, Hempstead , New York, killed December 27, 2005 in Iraq.

Spec. Prince K. Teewia 27, Durham, North Carolina, killed December 29, 2005 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White, 39, of Talladega, Ala.; Killed January 5, 2006 in Iraq.

Spec. Michael I. Edwards 26, Fairbanks, Alaska, killed January 7, 2006 in Iraq.

1st Lt. Joseph D. DeMoors 36, Jefferson, Alabama, killed January 7, 2006 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Anthony Jordan 35, Augusta, Georgia, killed January 13, 2006 in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mitchell K. Carver Jr. 31, Charlotte, North Carolina, killed January 13, 2006 in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Rickey Scott 30, Columbus, Georgia, killed January 20, 2006 in Iraq

Sgt. Alberto D. Montrond 27, Suffolk, Massachusetts, Killed February 13, 2006 in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus 31, Gainesville, Florida, Killed February 17, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Amos C. Edwards Jr. 41, Savannah, Georgia, , Killed February 17, 2006 in Iraq.

Marine 2nd Lt. Almar L. Fitzgerald, 23, of Lexington, S.C.; Killed February 21, 2006 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Curtis T. Howard II, 32, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Killed February 22, 2006 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. John J. Thornton 22, Phoenix, Arizona, Killed February 25, 2006 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Dwayne P.R. Lewis, 26, of New York City N.Y., killed Feb. 27, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Lewis 32, Bunkie, Louisiana, killed March 13, 2006 in Iraq.

Spec. Antoine J. McKinzie 25, Indianapolis, Indiana,killed March 21, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Robert Hernandez 47, Silver Springs, Maryland,killed March 28, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay 34, Fayetteville, North Carolina,killed April 1, 2006 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques J. Nettles 22, Beaverton, Oregon, killed April 2, 2006 in Iraq.

Pfc. Raymond L. Henry 21, Anaheim, California, killed April 25, 2006 in Iraq.

Spec. David N. Timmons Jr. 23, Lewisville, North Carolina, killed May 5, 2006 in Afghanistan.

Spec. Aaron P. Latimer 26, Ennis, Texas, died May 9, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Marion J. Flint Jr. 29, Baltimore, Maryland, killed May 15, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Santiago M. Halsel 32, Bowling Green, Kentucky, killed May 16, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Lonnie C. Allen Jr. 26, Bellevue, Nebraska, killed May 18, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Darren Harmon 44, Newark, Delaware, died June 3, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Isaac S. Lawson 35, Sacramento, California, killed June 5, 2006 in Iraq.

Cpl. Andy D. Anderson 24, Falls Church, Virginia, killed June 6, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Carlos E. Pernell 25, Munford, Alabama, killed June 6, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain 31, Meridian, Mississippi, killed June 8, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Mario J. Bievre 34, Constantinople, Illinois, killed June 23, 2006 in Iraq.

Pfc. Justin R. Davis 19, Gaithersburg, Maryland, killed June 25, 2006 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Collin T. Mason 20, Staten Island, New York, killed July 2, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Alkaila T. Floyd 23, Grand Rapids, Michigan, killed July 13, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Kenneth I. Pugh 39, Houston, Texas, killed July 17, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Michael A. Dickinson II 26, Battle Creek, Michigan, killed July 17, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Marquees A. Quick 28, Tucson, Arizona, Killed August 19, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Wakkuna A. Jackson 21, Jacksonville, Florida, Killed August 19, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Dwayne E. Williams 28, Baltimore, Maryland, Killed August 24, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Moises Jazmin 25, Providence, Rhode Island, Killed August 27, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Darry Benson 46, Winterville, North Carolina, died August 27, 2006 in Kuwait.

Sgt. Germaine L. Debro 33, Omaha, Nebraska, killed September 4, 2006 in Iraq.

2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez 23, Hutchinson, Texas, killed September 12, 2006 in Iraq.

Cpl. Marcus A. Cain 20, Crowley, Louisiana, killed September 14, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Aaron A. Smith 31, Killeen, Texas, killed September 14, 2006 in Iraq.

Cpl. Windell J. Simmons 20, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, killed September 23, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Edward C. Reynolds Jr. 27, Groves, Texas, killed September 26, 2006 in Iraq.

Sgt. Denise A. Lannaman 46, Bayside, New York, died October 1, 2006 in Kuwait.

Sgt. Mario Nelson 26, Brooklyn, New York, killed October 1, 2006 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. James D. Ellis 25, Valdosta, Georgia, killed October 2, 2006 in Iraq.

Pfc. Satieon V. Greenlee 24, Pendleton, South Carolina, killed October 2, 2006 in Iraq

Cpl. Carl W. Johnson II 21, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, killed October 7, 2006 in Iraq

Sgt. Gene A. Hawkins 24, Orlando, Florida, killed October 12, 2006 in Iraq

Airman 1st Class Leebernard E. Chavis 21, Hampton, Virginia, killed October 14, 2006 in Iraq

1st Sgt. Charles M. King 48, Mobile, Alabama, killed October 14, 2006 in Iraq

Spec. Joseph C. Dumas Jr. 25, New Orleans, Louisiana, killed October 18, 2006 in Iraq

Pvt. Michael V. Bailey 20, Waldorf, Maryland, killed October 27, 2006 in Iraq

Spec. Isaiah Calloway 23, Jacksonville, Florida, killed October 30, 2006 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Courtland A. Kennard 22, Starkville, Mississippi, killed November 9, 2006 in Iraq

Command Sgt. Maj. Donovan E. Watts 46, Atlanta, Georgia, killed November 21, 2006 in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Robert L. Love Jr. 28, Meridian, Mississippi, killed December 1, 2006 in Iraq

Spec. Marco L. Miller 36, Longwood, Florida, killed December 3, 2006 in Iraq

Capt. Kermit O. Evans 31, Hollandale, Mississippi U.S. Marine Corps, killed December 3, 2006 in Iraq

Pfc. Albert M. Nelson 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S. Army, killed December 4, 2006 in Iraq

Maj. Gloria D. Davis 47, St. Louis, Missouri U.S. Army, died December 12, 2006 in Iraq

Pfc. Joe L. Baines 19, Newark, New Jersey U.S. Army, killed December 12, 2006 in Iraq

Lance Cpl. Ryan L. Mayhan 25, Hawthorne, California U.S. Marine Corps, killed December 21, 2006 in Iraq

Capt. Hayes Clayton 29, Winder, Georgia U.S. Army, killed December 25, 2006 in Iraq

Sgt. Lawrence J. Carter 25, Rancho Cucamonga, California U.S. Army, killed December 29, 2006 in Iraq

Sgt. Gregroy A. Wright 28, Boston, Massachusetts US. Army, Killed January 13, 2007 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph D. Alomar 22, Brooklyn, New York U.S. Navy, died January 13, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Darryl D. Booker 37, Midlothian, Virginia U.S. Army National Guard, Killed January 20, 2007 in Iraq.,

Lt. Col. David C. Canegata III 50, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Army National Guard, January 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Floyd E. Lake 43, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Army National Guard, January 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Cpl. Victor M. Langarica 29, Decatur, Georgia U.S. Army, January 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Wiggins 26, Cleveland, Ohio U.S. Army, died January 23, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Milton A. Gist Jr. 27, St Louis., Missouri U.S. Army, killed January 30, 2007 in Iraq.

Gunnery Sergeant Terry J. Elliott 34, Middleton, Tennessee U.S. Marine Corps, killed February 1. 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Terrence D. Dunn 38, Houston, Texas U.S. Army, killed February 2, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Ronnie L. Sanders 26, Thibodaux, Louisiana U.S. Army, killed February 3 2007 in Iraq.

Pvt. Clarence T. Spencer 24, San Diego, California U.S. Army, killed February 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Tarryl Hill 19, Shelby Township, Michigan U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, killed February 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Captain Donnie R. Belser Jr. 28, Anniston, Alabama U.S. Army, killed February 10, 2007 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Laquita Pate James 23, Orange Park, Florida U.S. Navy, died aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship Bataan; on February 12, 2007 of apparent natural causes aboard Bataan.

Specialist Montrel S. Mcarn 21, Raeford, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed February 19, 2007 in Iraq.

Sergeant Richard L. Ford 40, East Hartford, Connecticut U.S. Army, killed February 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Luis O. Rodriguez-Contrera 22, Allentown, Pennsylvania U.S. Army, killed March 2, 2007 in Iraq.

Pvt. Wesley J. Williams 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S. Army, died March 2, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Christopher D. Young 20, Los Angeles, California U.S. Army, killed March 2, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Jonathan K. Smith 19, Atlanta, Georgia U.S. Army, died March 11, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Curtis E. Glawson Jr. 24, Daleville, Alabama U.S. Army, killed March 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Stephen K. Richardson 22, Bridgeport, Connecticut U.S. Army, killed March 20, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Adrian J. Lewis 30, Mauldin, South Carolina U.S. Army, killed March 21, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Joey T. Sams II 22, Spartanburg, South Carolina U.S. Army, died March 21, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Freeman L. Gardner Jr. 26, Little Rock, Arkansas U.S. Army, killed March 22, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Anthony J. White 21, Columbia, South Carolina U.S. Army, killed March 25, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Miguel A. Marcial III 19, Secaucus, New Jersey U.S. Marine Corps, killed April 1, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Brian E. Ritzberg 24, Long Island, New York U.S. Army, killed April 2, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Walter Freeman Jr. 20, Lancaster, California U.S. Army, killed April 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Daniel A. Fuentes 19, Levittown, New York U.S. Army, killed April 6, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Ebe F. Emolo 33, Greensboro, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed April 7, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown 31, Prichard, Alabama U.S. Army, killed April 8, 2007 in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne L. Moore 31, Williamsburg, Virginia U.S. Army, killed April 19, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Marlon B. Harper 34, Baltimore, Maryland U.S. Army, killed April 21, 2007 in Iraq.

Cpl. Willie P. Celestine Jr. 21, Lafayette, Louisiana U.S. Marine Corps, killed April 25, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jay E. Martin 29, Baltimore., Maryland U.S. Army, killed April 29, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Larry I. Guyton 22, Brenham, Texas U.S. Army, killed May 5, 2007 in Iraq.

Master Sgt. Kenneth N. Mack 42, Fort Worth, Texas U.S. Marine Corps, killed May 5, 2007 in Iraq.

Master Sergeant Wilberto Sabalu Jr. 36, Chicago, Illinois U.S. Army, killed May 6, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Roy L. Jones III 21, Houston, Texas U.S. Army, killed May 10, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Jonathan V. Hamm 20, Baltimore, Maryland U.S. Army, killed May 17, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Marquis J. McCants 23, San Antonio, Texas U.S. Army, killed May 18, 2007 in Iraq.

Sfc. Robert Dunham 36, Baltimore, Maryland U.S. Army, killed May 24, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Chadrick O. Domino 23, Ennis, Texas U.S. Army, killed May 31, 2007 in Iraq

Sgt. Kimel L. Watt 21, Brooklyn, New York U.S. Army, killed June 3, 2007 in Iraq.

Timothy R. Vimoto 19, Fort Campbell, Kentucky U.S. Army, killed June 5, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. 1st Class Greg L. Sutton 38, Spring Lake, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed June 6, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Cameron K. Payne 22, Corona, California U.S. Army, killed June 11, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Eric L. Snell 35, Trenton, New Jersey U.S. Army, killed June 18, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Carter A. Gamble Jr. 24, Brownstown, Indiana U.S. Army, killed June 22, 2007 in Iraq.

Captain Darrell C. Lewis 31, Washington, District of Columbia U.S. Army, killed June 23, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Michael D. Moody Jr. 31, Richmond, Virginia U.S. Army, killed June 23, 2007 in Iraq.

Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan 22, Macon, Georgia U.S. Air Force, killed June 23, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Andre Craig Jr. 24, New Haven, Connecticut U.S. Army, killed June 25, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Le Ron A. Wilson 18, Queens, New York U.S. Army, killed July 6, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Courtney T. Johnson 26, Garner, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed July 11, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Brandon K. Bobb 20, Orlando, Florida U.S. Army, killed July 17, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Ron J. Joshua Jr. 19, Austin, Texas U.S. Army, killed July 17, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Richard Gilmore III 22, Jasper, Alabama U.S. Army, killed July 18, 2007 in Iraq.

Sergeant Travon T. Johnson 29, Palmdale, California U.S. Army, killed July 18, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Camy Florexil 20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S. Army, killed July 24, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Wilberto Suliveras 38, Humacao, Puerto Rico U.S. Army, killed July 29, 2007 in Iraq.

Sergeant Taurean T. Harris 22, Liberty, Mississippi U.S. Army, killed August 2, 2007 in Afghanistan

Pfc. Jaron D. Holliday 21, Tulsa, Oklahoma U.S. Army, killed August 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Cpl. Reynold Armand 21, Rochester, New York U.S. Marine Corps, killed August 7, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett 29, Mashpee, Massachusetts U.S. Army, died August 8, 2007 in Iraq.

Private Alan J. Austin 21, Houston, Texas U.S. Army, died August 8, 2007 in Afghanistan

Pfc. Juan M. Lopez Jr. 23, San Antonio., Texas U.S. Army, killed August 13, 2007 in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer Jackie L. McFarlane Jr. 30, Virginia Beach, Virginia U.S. Army, killed August 14, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. Princess C. Samuels 22, Mitchellville, Maryland U.S. Army, killed August 15, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Zandra T. Walker 28, Greenville, South Carolina U.S. Army, killed August 15, 2007 in Iraq

Sgt. Cory L. Clark 25, Plant City, Florida U.S. Army, killed August 27, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Edward L. Brooks 25, Dayton, Ohio U.S. Army, killed August 29, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Rodney J. Johnson 20, Houston, Texas U.S. Army, killed September 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Dane R. Balcon 19, Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S. Army, killed September 5, 2007 in Iraq.

Pfc. Mykel F. Miller 19, Phoenix, Arizona U.S. Army, killed September 6, 2007 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth 26, Yonkers, New York U.S. Army, killed September 9, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Gregory Rera-Santiago IV 26, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Army, killed September 10, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Todd A. Motley 23, Clare, Michigan U.S. Army, killed September 14, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Michael L. Townes 29, Las Vegas, Nevada U.S. Army, died September 16, 2007 in Iraq.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan M. Lankford 42, Scottsboro, Alabama U.S. Army, killed September 22, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. David L. Watson 29, Newport, Arkansas U.S. Army, killed September 22, 2007 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Randy L. Johnson 34, Washington D.C., District of Columbia U.S. Army, killed September 27, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Donnie D. Dixon 37, Miami, Florida U.S. Army, killed September 29, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Lillian Clamens 35, Lawton, Oklahoma U.S. Army, killed October 10, 2007 in Iraq.

Seaman Genesia Mattril Gresham 19, Lithonia, Georgia U.S. Navy, murder October 22, 2007 in Bahrain.

Staff Sgt. Robin L. Towns Sr. 52, Upper Marlboro, Maryland U.S. Army National Guard, killed October 24, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Carletta S. Davis 34, Anchorage, Alaska U.S. Army, killed November 5, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Christine M. Ndururi 21, Dracut, Massachusetts U.S. Army, died November 5, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Jermaine D. Franklin 22, Arlington, Texas U.S. Army, killed November 9, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Derek R. Banks 24, Newport News, Virginia U.S. Army, killed November 14, 2007 in Iraq.

Spc. Melvin L. Henley Jr. 26, Jackson, Mississippi U.S. Army, died November 21, 2007 in Iraq.

Pvt. Dewayne L. White 27, Country Club Hills, Illinois U.S. Army, killed December 4, 2007 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Elam 39, Columbus, Georgia U.S. Army, died December 11, 2007 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 1st Class Victor W. Jeffries 52, Honolulu, Hawaii U.S. Navy, died December 31, 2007 in Iraq.

Sergeant Shawn F. Hill 37, Wellford, South Carolina U.S. Army National Guard, killed January 2, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Petty Officer Second Class Menelek M. Brown 24, Roswell, New Mexico U.S. Navy, died January 4, 2008 in Arabian Gulf.

Maj. Alan G. Rogers 40, Hampton, Florida U.S. Army, killed January 27, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Matthew F. Straughter 27, St. Charles, Missouri U.S. Army, killed January 31, 2008 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Donald T. Tabb 29, Norcross, Georgia U.S. Army, killed February 5, 2008 in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Javares J. Washington 27, Pensacola, Florida U.S. Army, died February 11, 2008 in Kuwait City.

Spc. Micheal B. Matlock 21, Glen Burnie, Maryland U.S. Army, killed February 20, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Keisha M. Morgan 25, Washington, District of Columbia U.S. Army, died February 22, 2008 in Iraq.

Capt. Torre R. Mallard 27, Slidell, Louisiana U.S. Army, killed March 10, 2008 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Juantrea T. Bradley 28, Greenville, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed March 12, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Lerando J. Brown 27, Gulfport, Mississippi U.S. Army, died March 15, 2008 in Iraq.

Pfc. Antione V. Robinson 20, Detroit, Michigan U.S. Army, died March 19, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Durrell L. Bennett 22, Spanaway, Washington U.S. Army, killed March 29, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Jevon K. Jordan 32, Norfolk, Virginia U.S. Army, killed March 29, 2008 in Iraq.

Lt. Col. William G. Hall 38, Seattle, Washington U.S. Marine Corps, killed March 30, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Terrell W. Gilmore 38, Baton Rouge, Louisiana U.S. Army, killed March 30, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Dayne D. Dhanoolal 26, Brooklyn, New York U.S. Army, killed March 31, 2008 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Emanuel Pickett 34, Teachey, North Carolina U.S. Army National Guard, April 6, 2008 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jeremiah E. McNeal 23, Norfolk, Virginia U.S. Army National Guard, April 6, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Merlin German 22, Manhattan, New York U.S. Marine Corps, April 11, 2008 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie L. Morton 40, Bakersfield, California U.S. Navy, died April 20, 2008 in Bahrain.

Spc. Quincy J. Green 26, El Paso, Texas U.S. Army, died June 2, 2008 in Iraq.

Chief Warrant Officer James Carter 42, Montgomery, Alabama U.S. Army, killed June 5, 2008 in Afghanistan

Spc. Andre D. McNair 20, Fort Pierce, Florida U.S. Army, killed June 5, 2008 in Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Gerard M. Reed 40, Jacksonville Beach, Florida U.S. Army, died June 11, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington 20, Tacoma, Washington U.S. Marine Corps, killed June 14, 2008 in Afghanistan

Pfc. Bryan M. Thomas 22, Lake Charles, Louisiana U.S. Army, killed June 23, 2008 in Iraq.

Major Dwayne M. Kelley 48, South Orange, New Jersey U.S. Army Reserve, killed June 24, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay 51, Brooklyn, New York U.S. Army National Guard, killed June 26, 2008 in Afghanistan

Master Sgt. Shawn E. Simmons 39, Ashland, Massachusetts U.S. Army, killed June 29, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Seteria L. Brown 22, Orlando, Florida U.S. Army, died July 25, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Andre Darnell Mitchell 25, Elmont, New York U.S. Army, died July 31, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. Errol M. James 29, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Army, killed August 4, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Master Sgt. Danny E. Maybin 47, Columbia, South Carolina U.S. Army, died August 7, 2008 in Kuwait,

Pvt. Janelle F. King 23, Merced, California U.S. Army, died August 14, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class George Stanciel 40, Greenwood, Mississippi U.S. Army, Killed August 19, 2008 in Iraq

Spc. Jorge L. Feliz Nieve 26, Queens Village, New York U.S. Army, died August 28, 2008 in Iraq.

Pvt. Vincent C. Winston Jr. 22, St. Louis, Missouri U.S. Army, killed September 4, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Capt. Jesse Melton III 29, Randallstown, Maryland U.S. Marine Corps, killed September 9, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Darris J. Dawson 24, Pensacola, Florida U.S. Army, died September 14, 2008 in Iraq.

Capt. Darrick D. Wright 37, Nashville, Tennessee U.S. Army, died September 17, 2008 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Phillips Jr. 33, Conway, South Carolina U.S. Army, killed September 25, 2008 in Iraq.

Pfc. Jamel A. Bryant 22, Belleville, Illinois U.S. Army, died September 27, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Deon L. Taylor 30, Bronx, New York U.S. Army National Guard, killed October 22, 2008 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Theron V. Hobbs 22, Albany, Georgia U.S. Army, died November 6, 2008 in Iraq.

Sgt 1st Class Miguel A. Wilson 36, Bonham, Texas U.S. Army, died November 21, 2008 in Iraq.

Master Sgt Anthony Davis 43, Deerfield, Florida U.S. Army, died November 24, 2008 in Iraq.

Spc. Jesse Alan Crudop 27, Pembroke, Massachusetts U.S. Army, died December 13, 2009 in Pembroke, Mass.

Sgt. Marquis R. Porter 28, Brighton, Massachusetts U.S. Marine Corps, died January 11, 2009 in Iraq.

Spc. Ezra Dawson 31, Las Vegas, Nevada U.S. Army, died January 17, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight 22, Marrero, Louisiana, died January 17, 2009 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Carlo M. Robinson 33, Lawton, Oklahoma U.S. Army National Guard, killed January 17, 2009 in Iraq.

Petty Officer 1st Class Theophilus K. Ansong 34, Bristow, Virginia U.S. Navy, died February 4, 2009 in the Gulf of Aden.

Cpl. Donte J. Whitworth 21, Noblesville, Indiana U.S. Marine Corps, killed February 28, 2009 in Iraq.

Spc. Simone A. Robinson 21, Dixmoor, Illinois U.S. Army National Guard, killed March 3, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Raphael A. Futrell 26, Anderson, South Carolina U.S. Army, died March 25, 2009 in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Nelson M. Lantigua 20, Miami, Florida U.S. Marine Corps, died March 31, 2009 in Iraq.

Sgt. Devin C. Poche 25, Jacksonville, North Carolina U.S. Army, died March 31, 2009 in Iraq.

Sgt. Daniel J. Beard 24, Buffalo, New York U.S. Army, killed April 3, 2009 in Iraq.

EM3 Amber Latricia Winbourne-Perritt 23, Warner Robins, Georgia U.S. Navy, died April 3, 2009 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Lance Cpl. Ray A. Spencer II 20, Ridgecrest, California U.S. Marine Corps, died April 17, 2009 in Iraq.

CSM Benjamin Moore 43, Waycross, Georgia U.S. Army, died April 24, 2009 in Iraq.

Spc. Shawn D. Sykes 28, Portsmouth, Virginia U.S. Army, killed May 7, 2009 in Iraq.

USAF Sr Airman Jessica Tarver, 24, Pensacola, FL area died at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, TX, on June 1, 2009, from a rare disease she contracted while on one of her two tours in Iraq. It is believed Jessica got Still’s Disease while in Iraq in 2006. It’s a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis that is characterized by high spiking fevers, rashes, arthritis and affects the immune system. The disease led Jessica to having both of her legs amputated in July 2008. More recently her kidneys began failing and she died shortly thereafter.

Spc. Roberto A. Hernandez I 21, Far Rockaway, New York U.S. Army, Killed June 2, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Ricky D. Jones 26, Plantersville, Alabama U.S. Army, Killed June 21, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Issac L. Johnson 24, Columbus, Georgia U.S. Army National Guard, Killed July 6, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Brock H. Chavers 25, Bulloch, Georgia U.S. Army National Guard, Killed July 6, 2009 in Afghanistan.

2nd Lt. Derwin I. Williams 41, Glenwood, Illinois U.S. Army National Guard, Killed July 6, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Carlos E. Wilcox IV 27, Cottage Grove, Minnesota U.S. Army National Guard, Killed July 17, 2009 in Iraq.

Spc. Anthony M. Lightfoot 20, Riverdale, Georgia U.S. Army, Killed July 20, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Gregory Owens Jr. 24, Garland, Texas U.S. Army, Killed July 20, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Johnny Roosevelt Polk 39, Gulfport, Mississippi U.S. Army, died July 25, 2009 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Tara J. Smith 33, Nashville, North Carolina U.S. Army, killed August 8, 2009 in Iraq.

Pfc. Morris L. Walker 23, Fayetteville, North Carolina U.S. Army, Killed August 18, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Abraham S. Wheeler III 22, Columbia, South Carolina U.S. Army, Killed August 28, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Jordan M. Brochu 20, Cumberland, Maine U.S. Army, Killed August 31, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Gunnery Sgt. Edwin W. Johnson Jr. 31, Columbus, Georgia U.S. Marine Corps, Killed September 8, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Demetrius L. Void 20, Orangeburg, South Carolina U.S. Army, died September 15, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. William L. Meredith 26, Virginia Beach, Virginia U.S. Army, Killed September 21, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Edward B. Smith 30, Homestead, Florida U.S. Army, Killed September 24, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. John J. Malone 24, Yonkers, New York U.S. Marine Corps, Killed September 24, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw 37, Markham, Illinois U.S. Army, Killed September 29, 2009 in Jolo Island, the Philippines.

Staff Sgt. Alex French IV 31, Milledgeville, Georgia U.S. Army National Guard, Killed September 30, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Brandon A. Owens 21, Memphis, Tennessee U.S. Army, Killed October 3, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin 25, Savannah, Georgia U.S. Army, Killed October 3, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Kevin O. Hill 23, Brooklyn, New York U.S. Army, Killed October 4, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Daniel C. Lawson 33, Deerfield Beach, Florida U.S. Army, Killed October 15, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Louis Maxwell 27, Miami, Florida U.S. Navy, Killed October 28, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Marcus A. Tynes 19, Moreno Valley, California U.S. Army, Killed November 22, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Briand T. Williams 25, Sparks, Georgia U.S. Army, Killed November 22, 2009 in Iraq.

Sgt. Ralph Anthony Webb Frietas 23, Detroit, Michigan U.S. Marine Corps, Killed December 8, 2009 in Iraq.

Sgt. Albert D. Ware 27, Chicago, Illinois U.S. Army, Killed December 18, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Omar G. Roebuck 23, Moreno Valley, California U.S. Marine Corps, Killed December 22, 2009 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Brushaun X. Anderson 20, Columbus, Georgia U.S. Army, died January 1, 2010 in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Daniel D. Merriweather 25, Collierville, Tennessee U.S. Army, killed January 13, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon 52, Canadensis, Pennsylvania U.S. Army Reserve, died January 17, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt 19, Yonkers, New York U.S. Army, died January 20, 2010 in Iraq.

Sgt. Carlos E. Gill 25, Fayetteville, North Carolina U.S. Army, died January 25, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Petty Officer 1st Class Sean L. Caughman 43, Fort Worth, Texas U.S. Navy, died February16, 2010 in Kuwait.

Lance Cpl. Kielin T. Dunn 19, Chesapeake, Virginia U.S. Marine Corps, killed February18, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Capt. Marcus R. Alford 28, Knoxville, Tennessee U.S. Army National Guard, killed February 21, 2010 in Iraq.

Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur 25, Lake City, South Carolina U.S. Army, died March 8, 2010 in Iraq.

Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey 23, Columbus, Georgia U.S. Army, died March 8, 2010 in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Richard J. Jordan 29, Tyler, Texas U.S. Army, died, March 16, 2010 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Anthony O. Magee 29, of Hattiesburg, Miss.; died April 27, 2010 in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Denis D. Kisseloff 45, of Saint Charles, Mo.; Died May 14, 2010
in Afghanistan.

Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Xavier Jr. 24, of Pembroke Pines, Fla.;
Died May 18, 2010 in Afghanistan.


Army Spc. Christian M. Adams 26, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; died June 11, 2010 in Afghanistan.


Army Pfc. Bryant J. Haynes 21, of Epps, La.; died June 26 2010 in Iraq


Army Spc. David A. Holmes 34, of Tennille, Ga.; died June 26 2010 in Afghanistan


Army Spc. David W. Thomas 40, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; died June 27, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Cpl. Larry D. Harris Jr. 24, Thornton, Colorado, U.S. Marine Corps; Killed July 1, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Pfc. David Jefferson 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Army; Killed July 2, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Spc. Morganne M. McBeth 19, Fredricksburg, Virginia, U.S. Army; died July 2, 2010, in Iraq.


Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate 27, Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. Army; Killed July 13, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Pvt. Brandon M. King 23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; Killed July 14, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Marine Cpl. Joe L. Wrightsman 23, of Jonesboro, La.; Killed July 18, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Spc. Jamal M. Rhett 24, of Palmyra, N.J.; Killed August 15, 2010, in Iraq.


Army Spc. Timothy L. Johnson 24, of Randolph, N.Y.; Killed September 16, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Spc. Deangelo B. Snow 22, of Saginaw, Mich.; Killed September 17, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Staff Sgt. Jaime C. Newman 27, of Richmond, Va.; Killed September 17, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. Marvin R. Calhoun Jr. 23, of Elkhart, Ind.; Died September 21, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Pfc. William B. Dawson 20, of Tunica, Miss.; Died September 24, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. 1st Class Calvin B. Harrison 31, of San Antonio, Texas; Died September 29, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Staff Sgt. Willie J. Harley Jr. 48, of Aiken, S.C.; Died October 1, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Marine Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks 23, of Chicago, Il; Died October 08, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Navy Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez 22, of North Miami Beach, Fla.,
Died October 08, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Marine Lance Cpl. Raymon L. A. Johnson 22, of Midland, Ga.; Died October 13, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley 20, of Portsmouth, Va.; Died October 14, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. 1st Class Todd M. Harris 37, of Tucson, Ariz.; Died November 03, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Marine Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs 21, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Died November 06, 2010, in Afghanistan.


U.S. Army Pvt. Devon J. Harris 24, Mesquite, Texas; Died November 27, 2010, in Afghanistan.


Marine Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik, 20, of Hagerstown, Md.; January 01, 2011,in Afghanistan.


Marine Cpl. Jacob A. Tate, 21, of Columbus, Ohio; Died January 02, 2011, in Afghanistan.


Navy Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Dominique D. Cruz 26, of Panama City, Fla., Died January 18, 2011, in the Gulf of Oman.


Army Pfc. Amy R. Sinkler 23, of Chadbourn, N.C.,Died January 20, 2011, in Afghanistan.



Army Sgt. Lashawn D. Evans 24, of Columbia, S.C., Died February 15, 2011 in Taji, Iraq.


Army Master Sgt. Jamal H. Bowers 41, of Raleigh, N.C.; Died March 18, 2011 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Horn of Africa.


Army Sgt. Donald R. Mickler Jr. 29, of Bucyrus, Ohio, Died March 19, 2011
in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.


Army Staff Sgt. Mecolus C. McDaniel 33, of Fort Hood, Texas, Died March 19, 2011 in Khost province, Afghanistan.


Army Staff Sgt. Quadi S. Hudgins 26, of New Orleans, La; Died April 2, 2011 in Babil, Iraq.


Army Staff Sgt. Jorge A. Scatliffe 32, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands;
Died April 3, 2011 in Mosul, Iraq.


Army Capt. Charles E. Ridgley Jr. 40, of Baltimore, MD; Died April 16, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. Linda L. Pierre 28, of Immokalee, Fla.; Died April 16, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. Paul J. Atim 27, of Green Bay, Wis.; Died April 17, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Air Force Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown 33, of Deltona, Fla., Died April 27, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Air Force Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II 40, of New Haven, Conn., Died April 27, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Air Force Maj. Charles A. Ransom 31, of Midlothian, Va., Died April 27, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan.


Army 1st Lt. Demetrius M. Frison 26, of Lancaster, Pa., Died May 10, 2011 in Khost province, Afghanistan.


Army Pvt. Cheizray Pressley 21, of North Charleston, S.C.; Died May 16, 2011 in Zabul province, Afghanistan.


Army Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker 26, of Gainesville, Fla.; Died May 16, 2011
in Zabul province, Afghanistan.


Army Capt. Michael W. Newton 30, of Newport News, Va., Died June 11, 2011 in Faryab province, Afghanistan.


Army Sgt. 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright 33, of Lodge, S.C.; Died June 18, 2011 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.


Army Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly 26, of Menifee, Calif.; Died June 25, 2011 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.


Marine Sgt. Marlon E. Myrie 25, of Oakland Park, Fla.; Died June 25, 2011
in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville 33, of Harvey, La.; Died June 26, 2011 on the border of the Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan.