U.S Navy Seaman Benjamin D. Rast

Seaman Rast

U.S Navy Seaman Benjamin D. Rast, aged 23, from Niles, Michigan died 6th April 2011 while conducting a dismounted patrol northeast of Patrol Base Alcatraz, Helmand province, Afghanistan.  

Seaman Rast was assigned as a hospitalman to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.  He was stationed at the Naval Medical Center, Expeditionary Medical Force Detachment, in San Diego, California.

Seaman Rast joined the Navy in 2009 and was assigned in November 2010 to a Marine unit bound for Afghanistan. He left his job at the San Diego Medical Center, where he had worked in the medical and surgical nursing department until November, when he joined the reserve battalion for the scheduled combat deployment, medical officials said.

His medals and awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Update: it has been reported that Seaman Rast was killed by a U.S drone attack in a 'friendly fire' incident: Click here to read report from NBC