Hero Stories for August 2009

A recently published Army handbook addresses the unique set of topographical, cultural and operational challenges facing troops in Afghanistan.

Spc. William Z. Van Osdol, 23, of Pinson, Alabama, died August 19, 2009, at Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy rocket fire struck his quarters. Spc. Van Osdol was assigned to the 172nd Support Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany. </d

Spc. Paul E. Dumont, Jr., 23, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died August 19, 2009, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Spc. Dumont was assigned to the 149th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, Fort Eustis, Virginia. </d

Whether the air conditioner in your armored vehicle is broken, or your forklift just won't lift anymore, if you're on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, the mechanics at the ground support element section shop are the ones to s

Pfc. Jonathan C. Yanney, 20, of Litchfield, Minnesota, died August 18, 2009, in Arghandab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. Pfc. Yanney was assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d

Pfc. Morris L. Walker, 23, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, died August 18, 2009, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Pfc. Walker was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. </d

Spc. Troy O. Tom, 21, of Shiprock, New Mexico, died August 18, 2009, in Arghandab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. Spc. Tom was assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d

A Marine from Middleburg was killed Wednesday while serving in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense said 36-year-old Master Sergeant John E. Hayes died on Wednesday while supporting combat operations in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Another Marine, Lance Corporal Roger G. Hager, from North Carolina, was also killed. The family of 36-year-old Hayes said he had e-mailed his wife from Afghanistan sometime last Wednesday and told her he was doing OK. Just a short time later, Hayes and an...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo This is a great thing. Watch the video and try it yourself. <p

Army 1st Sgt. Jose S.N. Crisostomo, 59, of Inarajan, Guam, died August 18, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. 1st Sgt. Crisostomo was assigned to International Security Assistance Force Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan. </d