Army Spc. Keith D. Benson

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Brockton, Mass.

Spc. Benson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany; died Jan. 18, 2012 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.

The Norwood Transcript and Bulletin
NORWOOD —Army Spc. Keith D. Benson “was one of the ones you could always count on,” Cathy Connor-Moen said after learning the news of Benson’s death.

The 27-year-old was killed Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Paktika province, Afghanistan. He was serving as a medic and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

Benson graduated from Norwood High in 2002.

Norwood High School principal George Usevich said Benson was “solid student and a real gentleman in school... he was a true son of this School on the Hill.”

Usevich said Benson found his niche at Norwood High as a member of the school’s music program.

“He was a member of our concert chorale for four years, and it was something he loved,” he said. “He really enjoyed being a part of that group.”

The Norwood High School Director of Fine Arts Connor-Moen said Benson was as a sweet kid with a great sense of humor who was always willing to help out.

“He was definitely a team player. He, within the group, was one of the ones you could always count on. He was always around and was very reliable,” Connor-Moen said. “I could see him as a medic, as the type of person you could rely on when you were nervous or scared.”

Benson’s neighbor Alan Bouffard was shocked to hear of the soldier’s death.

“My heart goes out to the family,” Bouffard said. “He was a good kid. He didn’t get himself in trouble, he was friendly, and he had close relationships with all the members of his family.”

Bouffard said Benson took his work seriously, and had plans for when he returned from serving in Afghanistan.

“He was very interested in the work he was doing in the service (as a medic), and he was interested in becoming an EMT when he got out,” Bouffard said.

Benson was the son of David Benson of Mansfield and Kathleen Benson of Norwood, and brother of Kyle Benson of Norwood. Bouffard described Kathleen as “a good neighbor and good friend” and David as “devoted to the two boys.”

Benson’s friends and former classmates at Norwood High are also in shock over the news.

“When I got home, I burst into tears. So upsetting that such a nice person, a terrific person has passed away for serving our country,” Lisa Malinowski said. She graduated Norwood High in 2003 “He was one of the kindest people I will ever meet in my life. He was a true gentleman. We always got together to watch wrestling pay-per-views, go to concerts together and just hang out as good friends did.”

Army Spc. Keith D. Benson passed away on 01/18/12.

Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho

LCpl Cochran was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; died Jan. 15, 2012 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

PARMA — Born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, Kenny Cochran spent his first days in a neonatal unit fighting to survive. For the next 20 years, he didn’t take a moment for granted.

“Live life every second, because every second counts,” Kenny wrote for an assignment at Parma High School on his life goals.

He also wrote that the country he’d most like to visit was Afghanistan. He wanted to be a Marine, and he thought Afghanistan was a place where he could test his body and soul, where he could learn to fight and bring honor to himself and his country.

About 450 people gathered in the Parma High School gymnasium Sunday to remember Kenny. The Marine from Wilder died in Afghanistan Jan. 15 at age 20.

In a written statement, Kenny’s mother, Julia, remembered her son as always on the move. As a child, he zoomed around on a red electric Jeep. Later, he graduated to a Model A pickup go-kart his father built, then a motor bike and finally a Camaro.

Motoring around, he always shone an ebullient smile, she said.

His uncle, Jim Howell, recalled Kenny as an energetic boy running wild with his brother and sisters. After the others grew tired, Kenny would keep playing, alone. He entertained himself with a game: he would knock on a door then jump out of the doorway and laugh out loud, pretending to surprise himself, Howell remembered.

As he grew, Kenny harnessed his energy.

At 13, he decided to become a Marine like his father, George. But he doubted the Marines would take him, so he endeavored to become stronger and smarter. He trained with weights and studied from a book of vocabulary words he kept in his pocket.

Kenny also developed a love for the written word. He had a hard time talking about his beliefs — honor, freedom and responsibility — so he spent endless hours creating stories, poems and essays, expressing himself through writing.

“His ideals came from an earlier era of chivalry,” his mother said. “He would have made an exceptional knight during the early Crusades.”

His pastor, Dale Larson, remembered sitting in his pickup truck one day when Kenny approached him and started a conversation. The Parma High graduate seemed so mature and spoke so eloquently about matters of faith that Larson was awestruck.

Kenny was concerned about people acting selfishly when there’s so much good work to be done in the world, Larson said. He believed that life is about helping others.

“I watched him walk away and thought, there is a good man. He is a good man,” Larson said.

Kenny also had a mischievous side.

His uncle recalled going over to the Cochrans’ home one day, and seeing a police cruiser outside. Kenny and his brother, Geo, had convinced a neighbor girl that a gorilla was rumbling around in their basement. The frightened girl believed their story and called her mother.

The girl convinced her mother, and the mother convinced the police, Kenny explained to his uncle with a satisfied grin.

Another time, Kenny visited his uncle’s house, which was under construction. After writing his favorite Bible verse, Psalm 23, on a beam, Kenny climbed up into the unfinished rafters and began walking around.

His uncle looked up and expressed concern for his nephew’s safety.

“He told me, ‘I’m going to be a Marine. If I fell off, I wouldn’t be a very good Marine.’ I had to let Kenny go. I had to let him be his own person,” Jim Howell said.

The Cochran family has a legacy of military service. Kenny’s mother, Julia, is an Army captain on active reserve, his father, George, is a retired Marine, and his older sister, Joyce, is an Army specialist.

Joyce Cochran was also serving in Afghanistan when Kenny was there. About a week before he died, they spent time together.

Kenny showed her around his base and introduced her to his fellow Marines. He was happy to be with his sister and proud to be in Afghanistan following his life’s dreams.

“He died wearing his Marine uniform. He was so proud of it. I can be happy knowing he will be in it until the end of time,” Joyce said.

Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran was killed in action on 01/15/12.

Marine Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Tulsa, Okla.

Cpl. Bateman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Jan. 15, 2012 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, passed away Jan. 15, 2012, in Afghanistan.

He was born May 26, 1989, in Hanford, Calif., and was a resident of Pahrump for four years, having come from Hanford.

He was a Marine Corps serviceman and deployed from Camp Pendleton.

He loved riding his motorcycle and having a good time with his friends and family. He liked to play X Box 360 Call of Duty and was ranked 30th.
He graduated from Pahrump Valley High School in 2007. While at PVHS, he was in the ROTC.

Surviving are his mother Laura Allen and step-father Tony Allen of Huntsville, Ark.; sister and brother-in-law Kristin and James Nunley of Fayetteville, Ark; brothers Paul D. Bateman III of Camp Lejeune, N.C. and Kyle Allen of Huntsville; grandmother and step-grandfather Sheryl and Edwin Lampe of Hanford; grandfather and step-grandmother John and Karen Parson of Hemet, Calif.; grandparents Betty and Paul D. Bateman Sr. of Lemoore, Calif; great-grandmother and great-grandfather Audrey and Bud Zerby of Pahrump; niece Deidre Nunley of Fayetteville; nephew Wyatt Whitney of Las Vegas; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Paul Donald Bateman Jr. and great-grandmother Dora Floyd.

Marine Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman was killed in action on 01/15/12.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, 34, of Little Rock, Ark.

SFC Wise was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash; died Jan. 15, 2012 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained Jan. 9 in Balkh province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

Ark. family loses second son in Afghanistan

By Tim Talley, Associated Press

The war in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of two sons of an Arkansas couple who also have a third son in the military.

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Wise, 34, of Little Rock, was on his fourth deployment overseas when he was injured during an insurgent attack on his unit last week. He died from his wounds Sunday at hospital in Germany, the Department of Defense said in a statement Tuesday.

His brother, 35-year-old Jeremy Wise, was killed in a terrorist attack on a CIA outpost in Afghanistan in December 2009. He was a former Navy Seal working as a security contractor.

Their brother, Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew Wise, is based Hawaii but was in Germany to be with his brother, his wife Amber said. She said she was at Benjamin's home in Washington state watching his children, but she declined further comment.

The Army Ranger is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

The men's parents, Dr. Jean and Mary Wise of Hope, Ark., and their sister did not return telephone messages seeking comment from The Associated Press. But the family released a statement thanking friends and Benjamin's fellow soldiers "for their sincere expressions of sympathy during this very difficult time."

His family described him as a loving husband, devoted father, caring son and selfless soldier.

"The Wise family is sincerely touched by the concern and interest all have taken in Ben's life, his career and his sacrifice for our country," they said in the statement. "Ben was proud of the career he built in the Army."

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

Benjamin Wise, who entered military service in 2000, discussed his work as a soldier in a September 2004 interview with the Hope Star newspaper.

"It's something I've wanted to do for a while now," he told the newspaper. "I was in college and I took a break from college and thought I'd do it now while I was relatively young. I wanted to serve my country, and do something that I found exciting."

Wise compared his work as a soldier to a job, noting that "there are a lot of frustrating things about being over there, about being with people from another culture and the special circumstances.

"But, at the end of the day, it's a job and we're specialists in the field. The troops are sent there to accomplish a mission," he said.

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation released statements of condolence and described Benjamin Wise as a hero.

"His bravery, dedication and patriotism exemplified what it means to be an American soldier and I am eternally grateful for his selfless sacrifice," said Democratic Rep. Mike Ross. Republican Rep. Tim Griffin added: "He dedicated his life to serving in defense of our country and has earned the deepest respect of a grateful nation."

Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., said Wise served in Iraq as well as Afghanistan.

"While Arkansas has lost a great patriot, the Wise family has paid an extraordinary price in service to our country," Pryor said.


Family Loses Second Son in Afghanistan

Hope, Ark. —The family of a local doctor has lost a second son to the war in the Middle East.

The Department of Defense confirmed this morning that Sergeant 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, 34, of Little Rock, died Sunday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Germany, of wounds sustained in combat on Jan. 9 in Balkh province, Afghanistan.

Wise was an Army Ranger assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He was injured during an attack by insurgents against his unit in a small-arms fight, according to the DOD.
The assignment in Afghanistan was part of Wise's fourth deployment overseas, and was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Upon completion of Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2001, he was assigned to the 520th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis- McChord where he deployed to Iraq as a member of the Battalion Scout Platoon from 2003-2004.

In 2005, Wise volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and was selected to continue training as medical sergeant in the Special Forces Qualification Course.

After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, Wise was assigned to 3rd Bn, 1st SFG (A). During his time with the unit, he deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.

Wise’s military education included the Warrior Leader’s Course, the Advanced Leader’s Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, the Recon and Surveillance Leadership Course and the Basic Airborne Course.

Wise’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal, according to the DOD.

A 1995 graduate of West Side Christian High School in El Dorado, Wise entered military service in 2000.

He was the son of Dr. Jean and Mary Wise, of Patmos, and is survived by his wife, Traci, and sons, Luke and Ryan, and daughter, Kailen.

The Wise family issued a statement through the DOD this morning.

“The Wise family is sincerely touched by the concern and interest all have taken in Ben's life, his career and his sacrifice for our country,” the statement said. “Ben was proud of the career he built in the Army.

“We would like to thank friends and his fellow Soldiers for their sincere expressions of sympathy during this very difficult time,” the family said. “Your support is appreciated as we mourn the loss of Ben who was a loving husband, a devoted father, a caring son and a selfless Soldier.”

The family has declined to respond to questions or requests for interviews, according to the statement.

Sgt. 1st Class Ben Wise was the second son from his family to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country, the first being his brother, Jeremy, a former Navy SEAL who was killed in a terrorist attack against a CIA outpost in Afghanistan in December, 2009.

Sgt. 1st Class Ben Wise, in a September, 2004, interview with the Hope Star, said he was proud to be a professional soldier.

“It's a job,” he quipped. “Yes, there are a lot of frustrating things about being over there, about being with people from another culture and the special circumstances. But, at the end of the day, it's a job; and, we're specialists in the field. The troops are sent there to accomplish a mission.

“It's something I've wanted to do for a while now,” he said at the time. “I was in college and I took a break from college and thought I'd do it now while I was relatively young. I wanted to serve my country, and do something that I found exciting.”

The U. S. Army Special Operations Command, to which Wise was attached, is the larges of the service components that make up the U. S. Special Operations Command, with capabilities ranging from raiding, airfield seizures to human-terrain mapping and cultural analysis, according to the Command's website.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise was killed in action on 01/15/12.

Army Pfc. Neil I. Turner

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Neil I. Turner, 21, of Tacoma, Wash.

Pfc Turner was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas; died Jan. 11, 2012 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.

Pfc. Neil Turner’s first letter to his mother from Army basic training in the fall of 2010 reads like the diary of a young man thrilled to see the world on his own.

He marveled at Cascade Mountain peaks during his first-ever flight out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He “smashed” into a plate of airport Chinese food when he landed in Atlanta because he knew it would be the last meal he could choose for himself.

And when he saw a homesick recruit crying, Turner did what others avoided and made friends with the lonely soldier.

“Ha ha! You would be proud of your little boy,” he wrote to his mother, Charlotte Cox-Turner of Tacoma.

The 21-year-old soldier’s life and career were cut short Jan. 11 when he was killed in an Army training accident at an American base in Afghanistan’s Logar Province.

Friends and family Monday celebrated Turner’s life at Champions Center church in Tacoma and then laid him to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. They remembered him for the spirit he showed in befriending the homesick soldier at boot camp.

“He was such a lover of people,” said Champions Center pastor Samuel Deuth, a youth minister who knew Turner for years.

Turner “would go out of his way to make people feel loved,” Deuth said. “You didn’t see him much without a smile.”

Turner graduated from Lincoln High School in 2008 and was well-known as a music lover and affectionate big brother in his Eastside Tacoma neighborhood. Friends held a vigil for him the night of Jan. 12 when they learned of his death; his high school hosted a memorial, too.

He is survived by his parents, Leland and Charlotte, and by his three younger brothers, Maxwell, 19, Jordan, 15, and Tucker, 10.

Turner’s family displayed photos Monday showing him growing up in Tacoma ixed with recent images of him on patrol in the snowy, mountainous landscapes of Afghanistan.

He reveals a playful smile with a gap in his front teeth from some of his earliest childhood photos to the latest ones.

He was serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas. A spokesman for Fort Bliss has said the Army is investigating the cause of Turner’s death and declined to release further information.

A friend from basic training joined the Turner family for this week’s services. Daniel Garcia of San Jose, Calif., said Turner helped other recruits bridge their differences and build friendships under the stress of new challenges and tough sergeants.

“It feels surreal,” said Garcia, 21. “We were with him not that long ago. Thanks to him, I met a lot of great people.

Army Pfc. Neil I. Turner was killed in a training accident on 01/11/12.

Army Pfc. Michael W. Pyron

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Michael W. Pyron, 30, of Hopewell, Va.

Pfc. Pyron was assigned to 25th Signal Battalion, 160th Signal Brigade, 335th Signal Command Theater, U.S. Army Reserve, East Point, Ga.; died Jan. 10, 2012 in Parwan province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered in a noncombat incident.

PYRON, Specialist Michael Wayne, age 30, of Chester, born on October 16, 1981 in Hampton, Va., lost his life on January 10, 2012, while serving in the US Army in Afghanistan.

He was the son of Herbert Pyron Jr. and Cheryl Griggs Coluccio.

He was a loving husband, father and son.

Michael was also a Facebook moderator for the group "Sexually deprived for your freedom".

Michael is survived by his wife, Monika Stienen Pyron of Chester; sons, Mason W. Pyron and Matthew A. Stienen of Chester; mother, Cheryl G. Coluccio and husband Frank of Colonial Heights; father, Herbert Pyron Jr. and wife Janet of Florida; maternal grandparents, Harvey and Joyce Griggs; parents-in-law, Hans and Suntok Stienen; brothers, Jeremy A. Griggs, Thomas Coluccio, Christopher Griggs, Matthew Pyron; sisters, Samantha Coluccio, Emily Miller; and many extended family members.

Army Pfc. Michael W. Pyron was killed on 01/10/12.

Army Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, Ind.

Spc. Leonhardt was assigned to 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.; died Jan. 6, 2012 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr. and Spc. Christopher A. Patterson.

Spc. Leonhardt was in a second vehicle that turned back to help the vehicle that exploded; this second vehicle hit a roadside bomb which killed him.

Spc Leonhardt, the sixth of eight children, graduated from Hammond Baptist High School in 2008, where he played on the bastketball team.

After graduating from high school, Spc Leonhardt followed his brothers into the military. He was the youngest of four brothers to fight in the Middle East. His three brothers returned safely from fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Father, Robert, said his son Brian knew he was risking his life, but he still wanted to serve his country.

Older brother, Chuck, said, “He had so much more to give; he was an amazing person,” Chuck said. “He just had so much more to do. Not enough people knew him.”

“I still don’t want to believe it,” said younger sister, Jackie.

Family says Leonhardt wanted to become a police officer when he got out of the military.

"This is really hard to comprehend, that my goofy older brother I've been really good friends with my whole life is gone. Still sinking in," said Trevor.

Spc Leonhardt was married this past September, two months before deploying. The family only learned of Brian’s wedding to Dianne after they received the news about Brian’s death.

The couple became engaged in July 2010 and had planned a big wedding when Brian was to return.

Older brother, Randy, said as members of the military, the brothers have experienced loss before. Some of the men with whom they trained and served did not return. He said although you call the men in your unit “brother” and your experiences create a bond, the loss of a real family member is different.

“It’s one thing when it’s your buddies; it’s another thing when it’s your brother,” Randy said.

Spc Leonhardt's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device,
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Medal
NATO Medal
Combat Action Badge

Spc Leonhardt was laid to rest on January 18, in Memory Lane Memorial Park, Schererville, IN.

Spc Leonhardt is survived by mother, Marie, father, Robert; wife, Dianne; siblings, Chuck, Randall, Robert, A.J., Theresa, Jackie, and Trevor.

Army Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt was killed in action on 01/06/12.

Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson, 20, of Aurora, Ill.

Spc. Patterson was assigned to 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.; died Jan. 6, 2012 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr. and Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt.

Spc Patterson graduated from West Aurora High School in 2009, where he played in the school band. He attended Valparaiso University where he was a member of the University Chorale, VU’s premiere vocal ensemble, and was a participant in last spring's Chorale’s tour to Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. He was planning to become a music teacher.

Spc Patterson also was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, a professional music fraternity; VuVox, a student acappella group; and was enrolled in the ROTC program.

When his National Guard unit was activated to leave for Afghanistan in November, Patterson had the option of not going with the unit.

He told his parents, "Mom, Dad, that's not what I joined the Guard for. I joined to serve my country. I'm going with my unit."

They said their son didn't normally write home to tell them he was leaving on a mission, but this time, he did.

"We pray for the other families in the Indiana National Guard that have lost their soldiers. They were a family," his mother said.

Father, Robert, said of his young son, "He was a man of God, full of life, he was a really good friend.

Patterson’s father is retired from the Navy, his mother is a Navy reservist, yeoman second class. His younger brother, Carl, enlisted in the Marines and is in boot camp.

“Chris embodied the spirit and thoughtful leadership that best represent the students who attend Valparaiso University,” said Scott Ochander, vice president for marketing communications. “This was especially apparent when considering his calling of service to his country.

"As he progressed in his studies, his potential to become an excellent music educator was obvious. He will be sorely missed by his peers and his professors", Ochander added.

He was a fine young man and will be sorely missed by all of us at VU,” said Christopher Cock, a music professor and director of choral and vocal activities at the university.

Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson was killed in action on 01/06/12.

Army Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr.

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet, Ind.

Spc. Tauteris was assigned to 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.; died Jan. 6, 2012 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, Spc. Christopher A. Patterson and Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt.

Spc Tauteris grew up in rural northwestern Indiana's Starke County. He graduated from North Judson High School in 1986.

Specialist Robert "Bobby" Tauteris Jr. was on his second combat tour, along with his 21-year-old son Robert Tauteris III.

Uncle Ed Tauteris said his nephew reenlisted in the National Guard after his 21-year-old son, Robert III joined up and was sent to Afghanistan. He said his nephew had hoped he might be able to keep his son safe during his deployment.

"He was great father who loved his kids, took very good care of them. He was a great provider. He'd work seven days a week, come home and take his kids fishing, hunting, to baseball, stuff like that," Ed said.

Spc Tauteris's son, Robert III, accompanied his father's body back home.

"He flew home with his dad. That poor kid. I feel so bad for him," Uncle Ed said.

Spc Tauteris's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good conduct Medal
Naitonal Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star (2)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ 'M' device (2)
NATO Medal
Combat Action Badge
Driver and Mechanic Badge w/Driver-Wheeled Vehicle(s)Clasp

Spc Tauteris is survived by sons, Robert Tauteris III and Matthew and Uncle Ed.

Army Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr. was killed in action on 01/06/12.

Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis, Ind.

SSgt Metzger was assigned to 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind.; died Jan. 6, 2012 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., Spc. Christopher A. Patterson and Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt.

SSgt Metzger was born and raised in Illinois. He graduated from Rich South High School in Richton Park, IL, in 1998. He served eight years in the Marines and was honorable discharged in 2005.

SSgt Metzger was a certified physical trainer and enjoyed weight and power-lifting. He also enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends.

Jonathan took first place in the World Chicago Bench Press Championship in 1996, at the age of 16. At that time Jonathan weighed 165 lbs and benched 336.5 lbs.

After marrying his wife, Erica, the couple settled in Indiana where his wife was from.

SSgt Metzger joined the National Guard in 2006 and planned on a military career. He was studying for the rank of MSgt. He deployed to Afghanistan in December. This was his second deployment, having previously been deployed to Iraq.

Father-in-law, Patrick Lair, said Metger's effect on others was clear the day he left for Afghanistan. "There must have been 500 people. That is how much he was loved."

"From my understanding, they swept the area with the robots, it came back clean. Jonathon got on the air and said, 'I will take the lead,' it was his squad, and just as soon as he took the lead, that is when the IED went off," Lair said

"Jonathon was a hero, a true hero, and he still is in our hearts, because he lived by the creed to protect this country," Lair said. "God bless him and God rest his soul."

He was due to come back home on leave in a couple weeks

SSgt Metzger's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star (2)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign medal with Bronnze Service Star
Iraq Campaign medal with Bronze Service Star
Armed Forces Reserve medal with 'M' Device (2)
Noncommissioned officers professional Development Ribbon (2)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
NATO Medal
Combat Action Badge
Driver and Mechanic Badge

SSgt Metzger was laid to rest on January 20th in The Field of Heroes at The Gardens in Olive Branch Cemetery in Greenwood.

SSgt Metzger is survived by his parents, Jackie and Jim; wife, Erica; brother, Jeremy and sister, Julie.


Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger was killed in action on 01/06/12.

Air Force Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell

Remember Our Heroes

Air Force Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pa.

SrA Bell was assigned to 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; died Jan. 5, 2012 in Shir Gazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz and Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler.

SrA Bell graduated from Harbor Creek High School in 2006, where he lettered in football and was on the baseball and track teams.

Since the age of 14, SrA Bell had been an active volunteer member of Fairfield Hose Company. Over his years of service with Fairfield, he eventually attained the rank of a senior fireman.

SrA Bell joined the Air Force in 2007. He served as a bomb disposal technician. In 2010, Bryan received national news media attention as photos of him at work circulated in conjunction with the release of the film, "Hurt Locker".

SrA Bell was a motorcycle enthusiast. He was an avid Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Red Wings and Bobby LaBonte racing fan. He enjoyed camping, grilling, playing his PlayStation and was especially proud of his truck. He loved animals and dearly loved his pet dog, "Daisy" and his pet cat, "Terry".

SrA Bell had been deployed since last November. This was his second deployment, having previously been deployed to Iraq.

SrA Bell's awards and decorations include:
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Iraq Campaign Medal

3 EOD techs remembered for altruism, humor

By Jeff Schogol
Staff writer

Richard Bell remembers how his son explained why he became an Air Force explosive ordnance technician: “Dad, I don’t want to kill people, I want to save people.”

Originally, the younger Bell wanted to be a firefighter, like his father, but he found the opportunity to defuse bombs appealed to him, Richard Bell said.

“The last phone conversation I had with him several weeks ago, he was pretty elated that they had taken care of an IED,” the elder Bell said. “So it’s comforting for me to know that he was doing what he wanted to do, and he always told me that.”

The two wouldn’t get a chance to speak again. Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, was killed Jan. 5 in Afghanistan along with two other EOD technicians: Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34; and Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24. They were killed by a roadside bomb in Shir Ghazay, Helmand province.

Standing more than 6 feet tall and with massive arms, Bryan Bell was a “gentle giant” whose motto was to “live today like there’s no tomorrow,” his father recalled.

“He rarely didn’t smile,” Richard Bell said. “When he came into a room, he lit up a room. The charisma that he had was amazing. I’ve never met anybody with a better outlook towards life. I don’t think I’ve ever met anybody that had more charisma than him.”

In addition to clearing bombs overseas, Bryan Bell worked with the Secret Service on at least four occasions to search for possible explosive devices during President Obama’s domestic trips, his father said.

On one such trip, Obama acknowledged his son.

“I remember him telling me in a phone conversation, he says, ‘I just stood by and seen the president walk by and he nodded his head at me … the president knew I was alive,’ ” the elder Bell said.

Air Force Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell was killed in action on 01/05/12.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz

Remember Our Heroes

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Mich.

TSgt Schwartz was assigned to 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; died Jan. 5, 2012 in Shir Gazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell and Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler.

‘A mentor to everybody’

Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz was on his sixth deployment downrange when he was killed, leaving behind three young daughters.

He and his wife, Jenny, were high school sweethearts. They dated throughout school and got married right after he joined the Air Force.

“He joined the Air Force because he loved his country,” Jenny Schwartz said. “He just thought it was the right thing to do. He felt a lot of pride. He wanted to do a job that was meaningful and it definitely made him happy.”

Her husband was charismatic and full of live, she said. Above all, she remembers his smile.

“He just was very loving,” she said.

Matthew’s brother Luke said Matthew would put his airmen before himself, even if it meant placing himself in danger.

“The biggest thing to me, I’ve just heard countless, countless, countless times, was he would sacrifice his own life for his guys,” Luke Schwartz said. “He would take the risk versus having one of his airmen take that risk.”

Matthew Schwartz epitomized what it meant to be an airman, said Tech. Sgt. David Csizmar, who served with Schwartz at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.
“He was a great leader,” Csizmar said. “He was a mentor to everybody, even those who he was lower ranking than.”

Csizmar also recalled one moment that showed just how unflappable Matthew Schwartz was. After an airman jokingly volunteered him to sing the national anthem at an event, Schwartz was called on during formation to sing “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.

“Without a hitch, Matt just got out of formation, walked up front in front of the entire squadron, snapped to attention, and sang ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ and he did a pretty good job,” Csizmar said.

Sgt. Schwartz, who was on his sixth deployment, was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist deployed in October, was due home in March.

He was a 1996 graduate of Traverse City Central High School with 12 years in the Air Force. Those at Traverse City Central were "saddened by his death" and "proud that he was a Trojan," principal Rick Vandermolen said. Sgt Schwartz's name is to be engraved on a bench in a memorial garden at the school.

Brother-in-law, Jeff O'Brien, said Schwartz knew the dangers involved in serving, but accepted them as "just part of the job.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer and three daughters, ages 11, 8, and 6.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz was killed in action on 01/05/12.

Remember Our Heroes

Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Md.

Airman 1st Class Seidler was assigned to 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.; died Jan. 5, 2012 in Shir Gazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell and Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz.

Quiet hero’

Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler was an “amazing young man,” said his squadron commander, Lt. Col. Mark Donnithorne.

“It takes a special personality to be able to do that mission,” said Donnithorne, head of the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron. “He had determination, the grit, the intensity and energy that’s necessary to succeed in this career field, and he really did display that on a daily basis while training with his flight members — always pushed himself to be the best that he can be, but also pushed his fellow airmen.”

Matthew Seidler stood out as a leader among his peers, Donnithorne said. While learning how to use an EOD robot, he challenged another airman to use the robot to play a game of checkers, testing his skills while making sure his fellow airmen were pushing themselves.

He would also push airmen to their physical limits when they tried to surmount “the incline” — an old railway line that goes about a mile up Pike’s Peak — during physical training.

“He was one of the most fit airmen and so he would always be challenging his counterparts as they almost literally ran up ‘the incline,’ encouraging them in a positive but also in that sort of brotherly chastising way to make sure that they got to the top and didn’t quit along the way,” Donnithorne said.

Growing up, Matthew Seidler took pride in being a smart kid who always finished tests first, his father Marc said.

Marc Seidler was proud when his son decided to join the Air Force.

“He felt that the Air Force was the notch above; that’s why he wanted to get in,” the elder Seidler said.

Lauren Seidler, Matthew’s mother, considers her son a “quiet hero.”

“He didn’t like a lot of attention to himself, but lo and behold, he’s getting it,” she said.

"When he joined the Air Force in November 2009, he blossomed. He became himself," said a cousin, Kalyn Masek, who last communicated with Seidler on Tuesday, his birthday. "I was really, really proud of him and the man that he'd become."

Seidler, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, entered active duty in November 2009. He was assigned to the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

"He loved what he did" for the military, said Masek, who was surprised when Seidler told her that he was joining the Air Force. Being involved in the disarmament of explosives fed his intellect, she said, and excited him in a way that prior false starts in his professional life had not.

Seidler graduated from Westminster Senior High School in 2006. He took classes for a year in business administration at Stevenson University and then started in a multimedia design program at Carroll Community College before deciding to join the military.

"He was extremely smart," said longtime friend Bryan Vana, who'd known Seidler since middle school. Vana said he was taken aback when Seidler asked him to be a reference for his Air Force admission, but said the decision made sense because military service would satisfy Seidler's desire for new, evolving challenges.

Andrea Masek said she often played poker with her nephew. Poker and other strategy games were his favorite pastime, she said, and he had a serious demeanor at the table.

"He was very logical, analytical," she said.

Seidler and Kalyn Masek, only a year apart in age, were "attached at the hip" growing up. When they were children, their families would go to Deep Creek Lake together, Kalyn Masek said, and the two of them would "cause trouble and get dirty" while playing hours on end.

Shy growing up, Seidler became an adventurous adult, she said. When they were young, she was always the one to bring him out of his shell. But after he joined the armed services, she said, he became the encouraging, outgoing one.

On his Facebook page, where his father announced his death to friends and family, Seidler posted photos from trips he'd taken to Paris and New York and hiking and camping in the mountains. He also shared samples of his graphic design work and his preference for the Baltimore Ravens.

Seidler's parents and brother live in Westminster, Kalyn Masek said.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Mark Donnithorne, his squadron commander, said Seidler's role as an explosives disposal technician was vital to the operation.

"We will never forget Matt's sacrifice and dedication to his critical, yet dangerous, mission," he said.

"This is a tragic day for Team Pete, the 21st Space Wing, the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron and especially for Matt's family," Col. Chris Crawford, 21st Space Wing Commander, said in a statement Saturday. "We will come together to help Matt's family and friends through their grief."

Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler was killed in action on 01/05/12.

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Chad R. Regelin

Remember Our Heroes

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Chad R. Regelin, 24, of Cottonwood, Calif.

PO1 Regelin was assigned to Marine Special Operations Company Bravo and was stationed at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3, San Diego; died Jan. 2, 2012 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

While in high school, Regelin helped launch the school’s Surf Club and was named Outstanding Senior for the Anderson Cubs varsity football squad. In eighth-grade at Anderson Middle School, Chad Regelin wrote a report on the proper handling and dangers of pyrotechnics, recalled his father Scott Regelin.

Petty Officer 1st Class Chad R. Regelin, 24 of Cottonwood, California, died January 2, 2012 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Regelin was assigned as an explosive ordanance disposal technician to Marine Special Operations Company Bravo.

Regelin was stationed at Explosive Ordance Disposal Mobile Unit 3, San Diego, California. Chad was expected to be back stateside in mid February. PO 1st Class Regelin was named Sailor of The Year last November. His parents traveled to the nations capitol last November to accept the award on his behalf.

Regelin received the award for personally locating and destroying 24 explosive devices and preventing an insurgency attack against his team.

Regelin served a tour of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He was stationed at Explosive Mobile Unit Three out of San Diego, Ca.

His military decorations include:
The Bronze Star Medal
Combat Action Ribbon

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Chad R. Regelin was killed in action on 01/02/12.