US Army Lieutenant Tobias Alexander

30-year-old US Army 2nd Lieutenant Tobias C. Alexander, from Lawton, Oklahoma, was one of two soldiers killed in Tarin Kowt on 20th May 2012. They died when a bomb exploded beside them.

2Lt Alexander served with the Oklahoma-based 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 214th Fires Brigade.

The other soldier killed was Captain Jesse Ozbat.

More information to follow.

US Army Spc. Samuel Watts

20-year-old US Army Specialist Samuel T. Watts, from Illinois, died on 19th May 2012 at Walter Reed Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland from wounds he received from a bomb blast on 25th April in Zharay, Afghanistan.

Spc. Watts was serving with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina at the time. He joined the Army in July 2010, shortly after high school graduation, and attended airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia before deploying to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. This was his first combat mission.

Spc. Watts was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, among other ribbons and badges, for his service, the Army said.

US Army Sergeant Jabraun Knox

US Army Sergeant Jabraun Knox, from Auburn, Indiana, was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan on Friday 18th May 2012.

His family told local news that he had been home on leave for two weeks in April. He graduated in 2007 from DeKalb High School and joined the Army shortly after. Based at Fort Lewis, Washington, Sgt. Knox had previously served in Iraq. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

He leaves his wife Courtney and their six-month-old son along with his parents and other relatives.

More information to follow.

US Army Sergeant Mike Knapp

28-year-old US Army Sergeant Mike Knapp, from Overland Park, Kansas, was killed in Afghanistan on Friday 18th May 2012 during combat operations.

His family told local news that he was due home on leave in a few days time. This was his third tour of duty to Afghanistan.

More information to follow.

Royal Air Force Corporal Brent McCarthy

25-year-old British RAF Police Corporal Brent John McCarthy was one of two British servicemen killed on 12th May 2012 while providing security at a meeting in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. They were both shot by an Afghan Policeman.

Born in Hanover, Germany, Corporal McCarthy joined the Royal Air Force in August 2008. He was assigned to RAF Brize Norton in July 2009 where he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan with 174 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police as part of the Theatre Provost Group. During his pre-deployment training Corporal McCarthy showed an aptitude for mentoring and was a natural choice to embed with the Welsh Guards as part of the Police Mentoring Advisory Group.

Lieutenant Colonel Dino Bossi, Commanding Officer, Police Mentoring and Advisory Group, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, said: "Corporal Brent McCarthy came to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards during our training for Operation HERRICK 16. Over a six-month period before the tour began he lived and operated with the men who he was to support in Afghanistan. His intelligence, ready wit and his desire to muck in and take part in all aspects of communal life meant that he fitted seamlessly into an extremely tight team. Corporal McCarthy was extremely popular and hugely respected among the men with whom he lived and fought - not always an easy trick for a military policeman from another Service, but one he achieved with ease and some style."

Corporal McCarthy leaves behind his father John, mother Sarah, sister Jodie, his partner Sarah and his niece Miajay and nephew Kyron.

Welsh Guards Lance Corporal Lee Davies

27-year-old British Army Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was one of two British servicemen killed on 12th May 2012 while providing security at a meeting in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. They were both shot by an Afghan Policeman.

Lance Corporal Davies was born in Carmarthen. After school he was self employed before starting his career at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick in October 2009. He successfully passed out from Catterick in April 2010, joining the Welsh Guards. On 10 May 2010 he was posted to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Lille Barracks in Aldershot. During his time in the Battalion he quickly stood out as a natural leader and he was selected to attend the Lance Corporal promotion cadre, subsequently promoting in December 2011. he deployed to Afghanistan in March this year.

Major Julian Salusbury, Company Commander, Number 2 Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, said: "Lance Corporal Davies was an outstanding Welsh Guardsman. Newly promoted after little more than two years service, he made the jump from guardsman to junior non-commissioned officer with characteristic flair, professionalism and not a little good humour. Committed, capable and thoroughly dependable, he well understood his role in Afghanistan. I am proud and humbled to have commanded such a fine, decent and compassionate man."

US Army Staff Sgt. Israel Nuanes killed by IED

38-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Israel P. Nuanes died on 12th May 2012 after being caught in a bomb explosion during operations in Kandahar province.

SSgt. Nuanes, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, served with the Fort Bliss, Texas-based 741st Ordnance Company, part of the 84th Ordnance Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group. He had previously served in Iraq on two tours of duty.

US Army Sergeant Brian Walker killed by IED

25-year-old US Army Sergeant Brian L. Walker was one of two soldiers who died on 13th May 2012 in Bowri Tana, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb during a patrol.

Sgt. Walker, from Lucerne Valley, California, served with the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

The other soldier killed was 22-year-old Pfc. Richard McNulty III.

US Army Pfc. Richard McNulty killed by IED

22-year-old US Army Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III was one of two soldiers who died on 13th May 2012 in Bowri Tana, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb during a patrol.

Pfc. McNulty, from Rolla, Mo., served with the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

The other soldier killed was 25-year-old Sergeant Brian Walker.

Romanian Army 2Lt. Ion Lucian Leuştean

25-year-old Romanian Army 2nd Lieutenant Ion Lucian Leuştean died on 9th May 2012 at the Central Military Hospital in Bucharest. He had been evacuated from Afghanistan after sustaining serious injuries from a bomb explosion in Zabul, in September last year.

2Lt Leuştean joined the Romanian Army in 2009 and was serving with the 2nd Maneuver Battalion as an NCO at the time of the incident. On 8th September he was flown to the US Military Hospital at Landstuhl, Germany. On 30th October he was transferred to Romania.

He was postumously promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and awarded the "Star of Romania", Steaua României .

Updates commencing tomorrow 20th May

We will be starting to fully update Fallen Heroes Afghanistan from 20th May. To all our followers, we apologise for not updating the site for a while, but we have been away.


Thanks to everyone for your support, we really do appreciate it. We'll try and reply to the hundreds of emails we've received as soon as we possibly can.

British Army Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi

British Army Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, serving with 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was killed in Helmand province on 4th May 2012 when enemy forces attacked his base in the northern part of Nahr-e Saraj.

Private Silibaravi deployed to Afghanistan in March as a member of an Advanced Search Team in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Task Force. Born in Fiji, 32-year-old Private Silibaravi joined the British Army in 2002 and in 2003 he took up his post in 23 Pioneer Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. During a relatively short, yet busy career in the Army, he had served in Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2006 and 2009. In 2008, he completed public duties at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and the Tower of London.

A keen sportsman, Private Silibaravi was a member of the Regimental Rugby Team and was a promising candidate for the Royal Logistic Corps Rugby Team. He was a fine runner and represented the Regiment at athletics.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Bell, Commanding Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Task Force, described Private Silibaravi as "strong and fit" and went on to say that "he had an excellent work ethic, throwing himself wholeheartedly at every challenge. The number of operational tours that he had successfully completed is testament to his dedication and professionalism."

Warrant Officer Class One Wayne Fuller, Regimental Sergeant Major, 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC, said: "Private 'Prince' Silibaravi was a vibrant and popular member of the Regiment. A proud Fijian he was fit and brave and threw himself into all aspects of his deployment. He was a valued Advanced Search Team member; a pleasure for our NCOs to command and with his experienced manner and ability to mentor junior Soldiers, he himself was on the cusp of promotion."

Killed in the same attack was Corporal Andrew Roberts, also of 23 Pioneer Regiment.

British Army Corporal Andrew Roberts

Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts, serving with 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was killed in Helmand province on 4th May 2012 when enemy forces attacked his base in the northern part of Nahr-e Saraj.

32-year-old Corporal Roberts, a section commander, deployed to Afghanistan in March to command an Advanced Search Team, in the Operations Squadron of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Task Force. Born in Middlesbrough, he joined the Army in 1998 and had served on operations in Bosnia and Iraq. This was his second tour of Afghanistan.

Well respected as a plucky sportsman and a highly regarded physical training instructor. He will always be remembered for his trenchant efforts in the Regimental boxing ring and his enthusiastic Squadron PT sessions. A forthright, determined and professional Junior Non Commissioned Officer, Corporal Roberts leaves behind Lindsey, his daughters Jessica, aged 6, and Kayla, 3, and son Kyle, 5; Paula and Josh; and his mother Pauline and his father Stephen. He also leaves his brothers and sisters Tracey, Mark, Darren, Michael and Emma.

His children paid this moving tribute: "For our brave Dad who went away to build sand castles and stop the bad men hurting people. We love you to the moon and back. You are an angel in Heaven now looking down on us all, we wish yesterday had never happened and you were still here to phone us and take us out. You were the best Dad, we remember all the fun things we did, we will never forget you and will love you forever. You are our Hero and we will pray for you always."

Lieutenant Colonel Dom Fletcher, Commanding Officer, 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC, said that Corporal Roberts was "the epitome of a Pioneer soldier; brave, fit, robust and a 'salt of the earth character', who led his soldiers from the front and by example at all times."

Killed in the same attack was Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, also of 23 Pioneer Regiment.

US Military fatalities - April 2012

The following is a list of known United States Military fatalities in Afghanistan - April 2012:

 

 

APR
30-Apr	Dickhut, Nicholas M.	Sergeant	23	5th Btn, 20th Infantry Regiment
28-Apr	Sannicolas, Christian R.	Pfc.	20	1st Btn, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
28-Apr	Pruitt, Scott E.	Master Sgt	38	1 Marine Expeditionary Force HQ Group
26-Apr	Eggleston, Brandon F.	Staff Sgt	29	4th Btn, 3rd Special Forces Group
26-Apr	Lee Jr., Dick A.	Sergeant	31	95th Military Police Btn
26-Apr	Mosko, Christopher E.	Lieutenant	28	US Navy, CJSO Task Force
26-Apr	Edens, Jason K.	Spc.	22	1st Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment
25-Apr	Brittonmihalo, Andrew T.	Staff Sgt	25	2nd Btn, 7th Special Forces Group
25-Apr	Gonzalez, Moises J.	Spc.	29	504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
25-Apr	Watts, Samuel T.	Spc.	20	1st Btn, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
25-Apr	Neal, Benjamin H.	Spc.	21	1st Btn, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
24-Apr	Vasquez, Manuel J.	Spc.	22	2nd Btn, 28th Infantry Regiment
22-Apr	Walsh, Jonathan P.	1Lt	28	2nd Btn, 504th Infantry Regiment
22-Apr	Metcalf, Michael J.	Pfc.	22	2nd Btn, 504th Infantry Regiment
22-Apr	Fankhauser, Joseph H.	Staff Sgt	30	7th Engineer Support Btn, 1st Marine Logistics
19-Apr	Johnson, Nicholas S.	CWO	27	2nd Btn, 25th Aviation Regiment
19-Apr	Viray, Don C.	CWO	25	2nd Btn, 25th Aviation Regiment
19-Apr	Workman, Chris J.	Sergeant	33	2nd Btn, 25th Aviation Regiment
19-Apr	Shaffer, Dean R.	Sergeant	23	2nd Btn, 25th Aviation Regiment
18-Apr	Braden, Michael C.	Captain	31	Division HQ Btn, 1st Infantry Division
15-Apr	Faust, Aaron M.	Corporal	22	2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment
15-Apr	Nowaczyk, David P.	Staff Sgt	32	2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment
14-Apr	Higgins, Tanner S.	Sergeant	23	1st Btn, 75th Ranger Regiment
12-Apr	Tarwoe, Abraham	L-Cpl.	25	2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment
11-Apr	Schiller, Philip C. S.	Spc.	21	1st Btn, 23rd Infantry Regiment
11-Apr	Kaipat, Ramon T.	L-Cpl.	22	1st Light Armored Reconn Btn, 1st Marine Division
7-Apr	Stanley, Trevor J.	C'man	22	US Navy
6-Apr	Burnside, Antonio C.	Spc.	31	1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion
5-Apr	Martinez, Alex	Corporal	21	1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Div
4-Apr	Rozanski, Nicholas J.	Captain	36	1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment
4-Apr	Rieck, Jeffrey J.	Sgt. 1st	45	1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment
4-Apr	Hannon, Shawn T.	Sgt. 1st	44	1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment
3-Apr	Smith, Tyler J.	Staff Sgt.	24	2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
3-Apr	Jeffrey L. White Jr.	Spc.	21	1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment
3-Apr	Brown, Christopher L.	Staff Sgt.	26	2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment
3-Apr	Bordoni, Christopher D.	Corporal	21	USMC

 

US Army Captain Bruce Clark

43-year-old US Army Captain Bruce K. Clark, from Spencerport, New York, died on 1st May 2012 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. The cause of his death is under investigation.

Captain Clark was a Clinical Staff Nurse assigned to A Company, Troop Command, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, based at El Paso, Texas. On active duty since September 2006, he received his nursing degree in 2006. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service, Medal National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Medal.

Captain Clark leaves his wife Susan, their two daughters and his parents among other relatives and friends.