Operation Enduring Freedom
The Pentagon released the names of the four soldiers who were killed February 25, 2003. They are Spc. Rodrigo
Gonzalez-Garza, 26, of Texas; Chief Warrant Officer Timothy W. Moehling, 35, of Florida; Chief Warrant
Officer John D. Smith, 32, of Nevada; and Spc. William J. Tracy, 27, of New Hampshire. A memorial service
was held for them Wednesday, February 26, at Camp Udairi, Kuwait.
March 18, 2003
I want to remember all the troops who will probably be in the midst of war before the week is out. They are brave
young men and women who will fight bravely for all of us here at home. They are the sons, husbands, fathers,
daughters, mothers, and wives of many left here to continue without them. Pray for all of them and pray for a swift
conclusion.
March 24, 2003
A PAV HH-60G Air Force Helicopter went down March 23, 2003 in Afghanistan while on a mission to
evacuate two sick children to a medical facility. All six United States Air Force personnel on board were killed.
Names will be published here when they become available.
March 25, 2003
The Department of Defense released the names of the crew killed in Afghanistan March 23, 2003. They are:
1st Lt. Tamara Archuleta, 23, of Los Lunas, N.M.
Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks, 25, of Jefferson, S.C.
Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, 42, of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Senior Airman Jason Plite, 21, of Lansing, Mich.
Lt. Col. John Stein, 39, of Bardolph, Ill.
Staff Sgt. John Teal, 29, of Dallas, Texas
Archuleta, Hicks, Stein, and Teal were assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga. Maltz and Plite
were assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
March 31, 2003
Two soldiers were killed during an ambush in Gersek, Afghanistan Friday. One soldier was wounded.
Sgt. Orlando Morales, 33, was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, out of Ft.
Bragg, N.C., when his mounted reconnaissance unit took hostile fire. Sgt. Morales was from Manati, Puerto Rico.
The Department of Defense announced today the identity of an Illinois Air National Guardsman who died from
wounds sustained in an ambush today in Geresk, Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Jacob L. Frazier, 24, of St. Charles, Ill.,
was assigned to the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
The airman and soldier's remains were flown back to the United States earlier today.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 25, 2003
SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
Bagram, Afghanistan (Apr. 25) - One U.S. Service member was killed and five wounded at about 11:00 a.m.
today in the vicinity of a rocket launch site previously used by enemy forces east of Fire Base Shkin near the
Pakistan border in Paktika Province. Additionally, one Afghan Military Forces soldier was wounded in the
action.
The platoon-sized element responded to a report of suspicious activity in the vicinity of the launch site at about 10:
00 a.m. When the patrol reached the area they received fire from approximately 20 enemy personnel. A second
platoon-sized quick reaction force responded to the vicinity of the attack when the enemy forces fled across the
border into Pakistan. U.S. forces estimate at least three enemy were killed in the exchange of fire.
Close Air Support consisting of two coalition air forces F-16 Fighting Falcons, two U.S. Air Force A-10
Thunderbolts and two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters responded to the area but did not acquire any targets
upon arrival.
The deceased service member’s name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Names of the wounded are
being withheld for privacy considerations.
No additional information is available at this time.
April 26, 2003
SECOND SERVICE MEMBER DIES IN AFGHANISTAN
Bagram, Afghanistan (Apr. 26) – A second U.S. service member has died at 12:30 a.m. today as a result of
injuries sustained during a rocket attack by enemy forces east of Fire Base Shkin near the Pakistan border in
Paktika Province.
Four other service members were wounded in the attack which occurred at 11:00 a.m. yesterday.
The deceased service member’s name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Names of the wounded are
being withheld for privacy considerations.
The Department of Defense announced today that Pvt. Jerod R. Dennis, 19, of Oklahoma was killed on April 25
in the vicinity of Ne Shkin, Afghanistan. Dennis died of wounds sustained during a firefight with enemy forces.
Dennis was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.
April 28, 2003
Central Command has released the name of one of the Airmen who was killed in Afghanistan.
Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano, 24, of Del Rio, Texas, died of wounds received April 25 while supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom.
Losano was a tactical air command and control specialist assigned to the 14th Air Support Operation Squadron,
Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
May 20, 2003
SOLDIER DIES IN KABUL FOLLOWING TRAINING RUN
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – A U.S. Soldier died of unknown causes Sunday in Kabul after completing a
physical training run.Sgt. 1st Class John E. Taylor, 31, of Wichita Falls, Texas was pronounced dead at the
International Security Assistance Force Hospital in Kabul, after U.S. and coalition medical personnel provided
emergency medical treatment.Taylor was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group from Fort Bragg,
North Carolina.
CORRECTION: Hometown information previously reported as Spring Lake, N.C.
May 19, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Sgt. 1st Class John E. Taylor, 31, of Wichita Falls, Texas, died
17 May, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Taylor suffered a heart attack after completing physical training.
Taylor was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
DOD Identifies Navy Casualty - August 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Interior Communications Electrician First Class Petty Officer
Thomas E. Retzer, 30, of San Diego, Calif., died of wounds received in action June 25 in Afghanistan.
June 30, 2002
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Kelvin E. Feliciano Gutierrez, 21, of Anasco, Puerto
Rico, was killed on June 28 in Orgun-E, Afghanistan. Gutierrez was a .50 caliber gunner on a vehicle that was
returning from patrol when it veered off the road and turned over. Gutierrez suffered fatal injuries while trapped
under the vehicle.
Gutierrez was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg,
N.C. The incident is under investigation.
August 25, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-52
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION FORCES REPEL ATTACK IN KANDAHAR PROVINCE
BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Coalition special operations forces and Afghan militia forces repelled an attack early this
morning by anti-coalition forces leaving more than 14 enemy dead and no coalition casualties.
The attack occurred in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt in the Kandahar Province with anti-coalition forces using small
arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
Coalition forces used ground and air assets in response to enemy fire.
Coalition aircraft engaged the enemy forces with laser guided munitions and 25mm ammunition.