Hero Stories for OIF

Maj. Tad T. Hervas, 48, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, died October 6, 2009, at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Maj. Hervas was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division, Rosemont, Minnesoota. </d

Spc. Paul E. Andersen, 49, of Dowagiac, Michigan, died October 1, 2009, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his camp using indirect fire. Spc. Andersen was assigned to the 855th Quartermaster Company, South Bend, Indiana. </d

Spc. Ross E. Vogel III, 27, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, died September 29, 2009, in Kut, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. Spc. Vogel was assigned to the 67th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon, Georgia. </d

Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois, 22, of Lucas, Texas, died September 20, 2009, as a result of a non-hostile incident on Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait. Senior Airman Courtois was assigned to the 366th Security Forces Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. </d

Spc. Michael S. Cote, Jr., 20, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, died September 19, 2009, in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the Blackhawk helicopter he was in crashed. Spc. Cote was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force 49, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. </d

Staff Sgt. Shannon M. Smith, 31, of Marion, Ohio, died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an explosive device on September 8, 2009, in Baji, Iraq. Staff Sgt. Smith was assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska. </d

Pfc. Zachary T. Myers, 21, of Delaware, Ohio, died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an explosive device on September 8, 2009, in Baji, Iraq. Pfc. Myers was assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska. </d

Pfc. Thomas F. Lyons, 20, of Fernley, Nevada, died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an explosive device on September 8, 2009, in Baji, Iraq. Pfc. Lyons was assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military Police Battalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska. </d

1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, 24, of Monroe, Georgia, died September 8, 2009, near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive devise. 1st Lt. Helton was assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. </d

Spc. Jordan M. Shay, 22, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, died September 3, 2009, in Baqubah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. Spc. Shay was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d