Army Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, Calif.

Sgt Holtz was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Sept. 24, 2011 in Wardak province of wounds caused by small-arms fire.


Sgt Holtz graduated from Mater Dei High School, a Catholic school in Santa Ana, Calif, where he played football for four years. He joined the Army in October 2007.

He graduated from the Army's Ranger program in 2008. He arrived at Lewis-McChord in July 2008, where he served as a rifleman and a Ranger Team Leader. This was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. He died while leading his men in combat.

Sgt Holtz "was a courageous and incredibly talented Ranger who died while leading his men against determined insurgents," said Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of the Lewis-McChord-based Ranger battalion. "Tyler Holtz personified the Ranger Creed to the final moments of his life and his actions inspire us to do the same."

Holtz "had the stuff from which legends are made and possessed the character which makes up the foundations that our Army and nation are built on," said Col. Mark Odom, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Sgt Holtz's awards and decorations include:
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defence Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Joint Service Achievement Medal Meritorious Service Medal
Ranger Tab
Expert Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantrymans Badge
Parachutist Badge
U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge

Sgt Holtz is survived by his mother, Karen; father, Andrew; brothers, Luke, Hayden and Michael.

Army Sgt. Tyler N. Holtz was killed in action on 9/24/11.

Army Sgt. Ryan Sharp

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Ryan Sharp, 28, of Idaho Falls, Idaho

Sgt Sharp was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Dec. 3, 2011 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered Nov. 21 at Kandahar province, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.


IDAHO FALLS, Idaho -- After arriving in Idaho via charted aircraft on Sunday, the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Ryan David Sharp was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls on Monday afternoon.

Sharp died Dec. 3 from injuries sustained in an I.E.D. attack during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

At Monday's service, Sharp's sister Michelle Harrison delivered his "Life Sketch." She spoke of a boy who grew up loving childhood.

Harrison spoke of her brother's close relationship with their grandmother, who would often call him, "My Ryan."

Army officials also spoke at the service. Brigadier General Alan Gayhart said Sharp was helping a fellow soldier, Sgt. First Class Murray, when an improvised explosive device detonated Nov. 21.

"Everyone knew Cpl. Sharp," said Gayhart during the service.

Sharp's rank was upgraded from corporal to sergeant after his death.

Graveside, Idaho Governor Butch Otter paid his respects. Flags were presented to Sharp's two young daughters, 8-year-old Sarah and 6-year-old Mia.

The other soldier's in Sharp's company returned home to the U.S. this week. Harrison said the timing was bittersweet, but that Sharp's family is glad his brothers are coming home safely.


Sharp planned to be honorably discharged in May 2012

by Associated Press
KTVB.COM

IDAHO FALLS -- Roughly 200 people gathered at the Idaho Falls Airport to honor the return of a fallen soldier.

Army Sgt. Ryan D. Sharp's body was returned to his family in a ceremonial transfer on Sunday. Family spokeswoman and Sharp's sister-in-law, Karen Sharp, said the family was impressed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community and the Army.

Sharp was serving in Afghanistan when he was injured by an improvised explosive device on Nov. 21. Doctors put him in a medical coma and transferred him to a hospital in Germany for treatment, but he did not survive his wounds. Funeral services were scheduled to begin Monday morning.