British Army Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter

British Army Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter, serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) was one of two soldiers shot and killed by a man wearing an Afghan Police uniform who had been at a meeting with them at a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on 30th October 2012. Lt. Drummond-Baxter was attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

29-year-old Lieutenant Drummond-Baxter was born in Peterborough. He studied at University College London and gained a BSc degree in Psychology. While at university he was an active member of his local Army Reserves regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company.

Before joining the British Army, he spent two years working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office including a posting to Japan. He was commissioned into 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in December 2010 and passed the arduous Jungle Warfare Course in Brunei to qualify as Jungle Operations Instructor.

Lieutenant Colonel David Robinson, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: "Our battalion has lost a character, a true gentleman and an inspirational leader in Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter. Edward or 'DB', as he was often known, was one of life's true personalities; his Gurkha soldiers noticeably responded to his dedication to them but also to his great wit and humour. They would follow him anywhere."

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Jackson Royal Marines, Commanding Officer 40 Commando Royal Marines, said: "Edward was a remarkably talented officer. He readily accepted the challenges placed before him and was so demonstrably proud to be serving in Delhi Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles. I saw at first hand the way in which he capably led his men through the training prior to deployment and the way that his Gurkhas responded to his leadership style; they had clearly made an exceptional bond."

He leaves behind his mother, Helen, father, David and sister, Emily.

The other soldier killed was Gurkha Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar.

British Gurkha Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar

British Army Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar, serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR) was one of two soldiers shot and killed by a man wearing an Afghan Police uniform who had been at a meeting with them at a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on 30th October 2012. L-Cpl. Siddhanta was attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

28-year-old Lance Corporal Siddhanta was born in Pokhara, Nepal. He passed the arduous selection for the Brigade of Gurkhas in December 2004 and having completed his year-long infantry training joined 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in October 2005.

Soon after his arrival in 1 RGR he deployed with the Battalion to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2005-2006 as part of the European Union Force in support of the Bosnian Government. He then moved with 1 RGR to Brunei where he conducted extensive jungle training and qualified as a sniper in 2007. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel David Robinson. Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurhka Rifles, said: "Siddhanta Kunwar was a great character and a tough, professional Gurkha soldier with a proven and impressive operational record. Strong and highly experienced, he stood out from the crowd not only as a highly capable sniper but also for his smile and sense of fun, whatever the situation he found himself in."

Lance Corporal Siddhanta's family said: "We are deeply shocked, disheartened and in disbelief that Siddhanta is no longer with us But we shall treasure all the good things he did. He enjoyed immensely of his profession and was fully committed towards it. He has made us proud. The whole family misses him dearly."

He leaves behind his mother, Krishna Maya Kunwar, his father, Shyam Kumar Kunwar, stepmother Chhali Devi Kunwar, his four sisters; Shova, Shyandya, Smita and Sardha Kunwar and his elder brother Bhupendra Kunwar.

The other soldier killed was Gurkha officer Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter.

Fallen British soldiers arrive back in the UK

Hundreds of tearful mourners stood in silence as the bodies of Corporal David O'Connor, 27, from 40 Commando Royal Marines and Corporal Channing Day, 25, from 3 Medical Regiment arrived from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton before being driven along the 'Highway for Heroes' in the town of Carterton in Oxfordshire.

Families and friends of the two fallen soldiers, along with hundreds of other mourners, openly wept as the funeral cortege passed them. Many laid red and white roses on the coffins.

A Royal Air Force C17 Globemaster transporter plane carrying the bodies landed at RAF Brize Norton at 1.30pm on Tuesday 30th October. Later in the day, two black hearses slowly made their way into town and onward to the hospital.

At around the same time this was happening, news broke that two more British soldiers - both from the Royal Gurkha Rifles - had lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Two British Gurkhas killed by Afghan policeman

Two British soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles were shot and killed by a man wearing Afghan Police uniform at a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province earlier today, Tuesday 30th October 2012. 

British and Afghan officials confirmed the killer wore a police uniform, but it was not known if he was a genuine member of the force, or an insurgent fighter in disguise. The killer fled and is now being hunted. 

The two soldiers have been named as: Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter and Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar.

Two NATO troops killed by Afghan policeman

Tuesday 30th October: A man wearing an Afghan police uniform killed two NATO troops in southern Afghanistan today.

The killing is the latest in a string of insider attacks that have threatened to sever the partnership between international troops and the Afghan forces they are trying to train.

At least 53 NATO troops have been killed in attacks by Afghan soldiers or police this year, and a number of other assaults are still under investigation, the international alliance has said.

Latest: the two are confirmed to be British troops serving with the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

More information to follow.

Video - Burial of US Army Sergeant Thomas MacPherson

Family and friends joined together for the burial of Sergeant Thomas MacPherson, from the 75th Ranger Regiment, who was killed in action on 12th October leading an assault on an enemy position in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

Repatriation of fallen British soldiers

We have been advised by RAF Brize Norton that the Repatriations of Corporal David O'Connor, of 40 Commando, and Corporal Channing Day, of 3 Medical Regiment will take place on Tuesday 30th October 2012.

The aircraft will land at approx 1.30pm and the cortege will pass the Memorial Garden between 4.00-4.30pm, reaching the John Radcliffe Hospital between 5.00-5.30pm

Norton Way will be closed from approx 1.30pm, whilst Station Road, Brize Norton, will be closed for approximately 10 minutes once the cortege leaves Britannia Gate at RAF Brize Norton.

There will be road closures in place at the Marston Ferry Road / Cherwell Drive Junction, Marston Road / Cherwell Drive Junction, and at the mini roundabout by the entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital. Please expect severe delays in this area whilst the road closures are in operation.

Funeral of British Army Sergeant Gareth Thursby

THOUSANDS thronged the funeral route of a fallen British soldier - shot dead in Afghanistan - who was known simply to his comrades as ‘Dad’. 

And in tribute to Sergeant Gareth Thursby,  around 120 of his fellow soldiers jetted in to march in his honour. 

His wife Louise, at his full military funeral in Skipton, said that, after his family, ‘his job and his lads were his life’. 

Read the full article at the Lancashire Telegraph

US Army Sergeant Clinton K. Ruiz

22-year-old US Army Sergeant Clinton K. Ruiz from California, was killed in action along with another US Army NCO on 25th October 2012 in Oruzgan Province when their unit was attacked by enemy forces.

Sgt. Ruiz served with the 9th Military Information Support Battalion (Airborne) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He joined the Army in May 2009. On completion of his training he attended the Psychological Operations Advanced Individual Training and Korean Language School at Ft. Bragg, and graduated in August 2010. He deployed to Afghanistan in September this year.

His medals and honours include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. 

He leaves his wife Kira and his 14-month-old son Caleb, along with many other relatives and friends.

The other soldier killed was Staff Sergeant Kashif  M. Memon.

US Army Staff Sergeant Kashif M. Memon

31-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Kashif M. Memon from Houston, Texas, was killed in action along with another US Army NCO on 25th October 2012 in Oruzgan Province when their unit was attacked by enemy forces.

SSgt Memom served with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He joined the US Marine Corps in 2001 and deployed on several overseas combat missions including Afghanistan. In 2007, he joined the Army as an Infantryman and volunteered to work in Civil Affairs. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan with the Civil Affairs Battalion.

The other soldier killed was Sergeant Clinton Ruiz. 

British Army Corporal Channing Day

25-year-old British Army Corporal Channing Amanda Day was one of two British soldiers killed on 24th October 2012 during a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. The two were killed when their patrol came under fire.

Serving with 3 Medical Regiment, Corporal Day deployed to Afghanistan in October 2012 as a Combat Medical Technician Class One with the United Kingdom Medical Group. She was based at Patrol Base One in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where she provided medical support to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

Corporal Day was a popular and well respected member of 3 Medical Regiment. A veteran of previous Iraq and Afghanistan deployments, she was looked up to, especially by more junior soldiers in her Squadron, as a mature voice of experience and good advice.

Lieutenant Colonel Phillip de Rouffignac, Commanding Officer, 3 Medical Regiment said: "Corporal Channing Day was a star for the future. Although only 25, she had recently been promoted to Corporal, and her current operational experience in Iraq and Afghanistan made her a natural choice for the demanding role she was undertaking in support of 40 Commando Royal Marines.

"Hugely popular with her friends in Preston, Catterick and in Afghanistan, Corporal Channing Day made the most of everything and had lived a lifetime in a short time. An Army footballer, she was a real team player in every sense."

Corporal Day is survived by her parents, Leslie and Rosemary Day, her sisters, Lauren and Laken, and brother Aaron.

RM Commando Corporal David O'Connor

27-year-old Royal Marine Corporal David O'Connor was one of two British soldiers killed on 24th October 2012 during a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. The two were killed when their patrol came under fire.

Corporal O'Connor was born on 16 June 1985 and lived in Hampshire with his mother. He joined the Royal Marines in 2002 and after nine months arduous training passed for duty as a Royal Marines Commando. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan.

Described as "an outstanding Royal Marines Commando." He displayed true Commando spirit in all that he did and was ferociously dedicated to his men, his Company and the Royal Marines. He was an inspirational leader and an excellent soldier.

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Jackson Royal Marines, Commanding Officer, 40 Commando Royal Marines said that Corporal O'Connor was "utterly professional, his four operational tours of Iraq and Afghanistan marked him as one of the most devoted individuals in the Commando. Brave, committed and humorous it is difficult to find words that can possibly fill the void which has been left by this truly excellent junior commander; his loss is difficult to comprehend. His career was dedicated to the service of his country and to the lives of the Royal Marines with whom he served."

He leaves behind his mother, Rosemary; brother, Phil; father, Roy (known to all as George) and a loving family.

Russia tries to find the graves of missing soldiers

Russia is trying to get Afghanistan to help find the graves of missing Russian soldiers from the 1979-89 war.

The Russians lost around 15,000 troops, while 1.5 million Afghans died during the 1979-89 Russian occupation of the country.

Click here for full story at Strategy Page

Italian soldier killed in action in western Afghanistan

24-year-old Italian Army Corporal Tiziano Chierotti, from the Italian Riviera resort of San Remo, was killed in action on 25th October 2012 during a firefight with insurgent forces. The incident happened at Bakwa in Farah province.

Cpl. Chierotti was shot in the abdomen during the battle and died later at the Camp Bastion medical centre.

He served with the 2nd Alpine Regiment based near Cuneo.

Female British Army medic killed is named

The British Army medic who was shot and killed during a foot patrol in Helmand province, has been named as Corporal Channing Day.

She was killed along with a member of 40 Commando Royal Marines - Corporal David O'Connor - in the Nahr-e Saraj district during an exchange of gunfire involving a man "believed to be a member of the Afghan Uniformed Police."

25-year-old Channing, from Comber, Co. Down, Northern Ireland was described as a "bubbly and sporty teenager who dreamed of joining the army as a schoolgirl," a former teacher told reporters.

Australian Combat Engineer Corporal Scott Smith killed by IED

Australian Army Combat Engineer, Corporal Scott Smith, was killed in Afghanistan by a bomb blast during a compound clearance operation on Sunday 21st October 2012. 

24-year-old Corporal Smith, from the Barossa Valley, was a member of the Special Operations Task Group and was from the Special Operations Engineer Regiment based in Sydney. 

He joined the Army in February 2006 and on completion of his training, was posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Darwin. In 2008, he was posted to the then Incident Response Regiment as a search operator. 

This was his second tour in Afghanistan. He also deployed to the Solomon Islands in 2006. Last year, Corporal Smith was on the protection team for US President Barack Obama's visit to Darwin.

US Special Forces CWO killed in Afghanistan

The U.S Army has announced the death of 42-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, from Orange Park, Florida, who was killed by small arms fire during a patrol in Wardak province, Afghanistan on Tuesday 23rd October.

CWO Duskin served with the 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces, based at Fort Bragg. This was his fifth deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and seventh in support of Overseas Contingency Operations. 

 His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded another Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Purple Heart Medal.

He leaves his wife, three children, sister and parents.

British Army medic and British Commando killed in Helmand

Two British soldiers were killed in Helmand on Wednesday 24th October 2012 while on a patrol in Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

The medic, a 25-year-old woman from Northern Ireland, and the Royal Marine from 40 Commando, were attacked by an Afghan who is believed to have been a policeman. He was killed during the attack.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Laurence Roche, told press: "I am extremely sorry to announce the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando and a soldier from 3 Medical Regiment serving with Task Force Helmand.

"This is dreadful news for all of us serving in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go to their families, friends and colleagues at this time of grief." 

The two have since been named as Corporal Channing Day and Corporal David O'Connor

US Army Pfc. Shane Wilson

20-year-old US Army Pfc. Shane G. Wilson, from Kuna, Idaho, died on 18th October 2012 while serving in Khost, Afghanistan. 

Pfc. Wilson, a 2011 graduate of Kuna High School, served in the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 

His family issued the following statement: “Shane died in the service of his country, and this is a very sad day for our family. He wanted to be a military man from a very young age and was proud to be a soldier. Shane was a very humble young man and was indeed one of the best men we’ve ever known. We loved him for so many reasons, including his loyalty, and he knew how to keep a confidence. He was caring and compassionate, and he always placed others before himself. He will be missed by his entire family, including his mother, father, two sisters, grandparents and great-grandparents. We are very proud of him and we do not want him to be forgotten.”­

US State Department official, Dario Lorenzetti

42-year-old Dario N. Lorenzetti, from Fort Worth, Texas, was killed on 13th October 2012 in Kandahar. Mr Lorenzetti, a former US Army officer, had been in Afghanistan for 18 months working for the US State Department.

He was killed when a uniformed member of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) detonated a suicide vest at a district office in Maruf, eastern Kandahar province. The bomb also killed US Army Spc. Brittany Gordon and four Afghan NDS officers.

Mr Lorenzetti, a West Point graduate, commanded a Ranger company in the Army. After leaving the military, he joined the State Department and served in Saudi Arabia, India and Afghanistan.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

A Memorial Fund has been set up for his family. If you wish to make a donation to the Fund, you can do so through GoFundMe.

US Army Sergeant 1st Class Ryan Savard

29-year-old US Army Sergeant 1st Class Ryan J. Savard, from Arizona, died on 13th October 2012, after being shot during a patrol in Khanabad District, Konduz province, Afghanistan. 

He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This was his fifth deployment to Afghanistan. He had also served in Iraq. 

Sergeant 1st Class Savard joined the Army in 2001. On completion of his initial training, Savard was assigned to Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation in Gieblstadt, Germany, where he served as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic for two years. 

In June 2004, he graduated from the US Army's Special Warfare Center to become a Special Forces weapons officer. 

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal (third award), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart. His awards and decorations also include the Army Commendation Medal (third award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (third award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal (third award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. 

He leaves his wife, Kayla, and his parents, Garett and Marie Savard.

US Army Sergeant Thomas MacPherson KIA

26-year-old US Army Sergeant Thomas R. MacPherson, from Long Beach, California, was killed in action on 12th October 2012, while leading an assault on an enemy position in Andar District, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. He was killed by direct fire from enemy forces during the assault. 

Sergeant MacPherson served with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He joined the Army in May 2007. This was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan and he had also previously served one deployment in Iraq. 

Lt. Col. Gregory Anderson, Commander of 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, said in a statement: "Sergeant Tom MacPherson lost his life courageously leading his Rangers into a close quarters fight with the enemy." He went on to say that "Tommy MacPherson never backed away from the dangers of combat, and his warrior spirit, personal example and zeal for life continue to inspire all who knew him."

US Army Spc. Brittany Gordon

24-year-old US Army Spc. Brittany B. Gordon, from St. Petersburg, Florida, died on 13th October 2012, when a uniformed member of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) detonated a suicide vest at a district office in Maruf, eastern Kandahar province.

The attack occurred when a delegation including U.S. coalition members arrived to deliver furniture to an intelligence office. Spc. Gordon, who served with 572 Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, was part of the delegation that was attacked. 

Spc. Gordon is the daughter of St. Petersburg assistant police chief Cedric Gordon. She graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 2006 and attended the University of Florida before joining the Army in 2010. This was her first combat deployment.

Killed in the same incident was US State Department official Dario N. Lorenzetti.

US Army Sergeant Robert Billings

30-year-old US Army Sergeant Robert J. Billings, from Clarksville, Virginia, was killed on 13th October 2012 in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. He died of injuries received from a bomb blast. 

Sergeant Billings served with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. 

He joined the Army in 2006 and served in Iraq between 2009 and 2010. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

US Navy Cmdr. Joel Del Mundo Tiu

49-year-old US Navy Cmdr. Joel Del Mundo Tiu, from Manila, Philippines, died on 12th October 2012 from non-combat related injuries. The cause of death has not yet been released. 

Cmdr. Tiu served in the Navy Supply Corps, and was assigned to Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain, since January 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

He joined the Navy in 1984 and was commissioned as an officer in 1995. He had previously served aboard six ships. 

Prior to deploying to Bahrain, he at the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center-Forward in Norfolk, Virginia. He also served in Saudi Arabia, Germany and Guam during his career.

Georgian Army Corporal Mindia Abashidze

22-year-old Georgian Army Corporal Mindia Abashidze, a fire group commander with the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion, was “killed today while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan”, the Georgian Defense Ministry announced on 12th October 2012.

Cpl. Abashidze joined the Army in August 2008 and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, based in Helmand province.

His death brings to eighteen the total number of Georgian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the country joined the NATO-led operation in November, 2009.

US Special Forces Warrant Officer Joseph Schiro

27-year-old US Army Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro, from Coral Springs, Florida, was killed in action on 6th October 2012 from gunshot wounds during a dismounted patrol in Chak district, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. 

He served with the Fort Bragg-based 1st Special Forces Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He joined the Army in June 2004. He served in Iraq in 2006 and was on his fourth Afghanistan deployment when he died. 

His military awards include two Bronze Star medals, two Army Commendation medals, two Army Achievement medals and two Army Good Conduct medals. He also received the National Defense Service medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Special Forces Tab. 

WO Schiro leaves his wife, Diana, and three children as well as his parents Joseph and Holly Schiro, his grandparents, Joseph and Frances Schiro, his mother-in-law, Teresa Troisi, and sister-in-law, Monica Troisi.

Also killed in the same incident was Staff Sergeant Justin C. Marquez

US Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Justin Marquez

25-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant Justin C. Marquez, from Aberdeen, North Carolina, was shot and killed on 6th October 2012 during a dismounted patrol in Chak district, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Also killed in the same incident was Warrant Officer Joseph L. Schiro.

Both men served with the Fort Bragg-based 1st Special Forces Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).

SSgt. Marquez joined the Army in January 2009. He graduated from the Army’s Special Forces Qualification Course in February of 2011. This was his first overseas deployment. His military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He is survived by his father, mother and brother.

US Marine Sergeant Camella Steedley

31-year-old US Marine Sergeant Camella M. Steedley, from San Diego, California, died in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 3rd October 2012. The cause of her death is currently being investigated. 

Sgt. Steedley served with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, based at Camp Pendleton, California. She was an air operations clerk on her first deployment to Afghanistan. 

She leaves her husband, James Steedley (also a Marine), their four children, her parents and other relatives.

US Army Sergeant 1st Class Aaron Henderson

33-year-old US Army Sergeant 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson, from Houlton, Maine, died on 2nd October 2012 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, from wounds he suffered when an insurgent bomb exploded on 30th September 2012, in Zombalay Village, Afghanistan. 

Sgt. 1st Class Henderson served with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Campbell. 

He joined the Army in 2000 and volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, graduating in 2006. During his career he deployed three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. 

He leaves his mother, Christine and his brother, Sam. He was predeceased by his father, Dallas, who died of a heart attack in 2010.

US Army Sergeant 1st Class Daniel Metcalfe

29-year-old US Army Sergeant 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe, from New York was killed on 29th September 2012 when his unit came under fire from enemy forces at Sayyid Abad, Afghanistan. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Italy.

Sergeant Metcalfe joined the Army when he was 18 and had served one tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan prior to this deployment. He first joined his unit in Vicenza, Italy, in January 2002 and it was here that he met his Italian wife Vesna. He later became a drill instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia., before returning to Vicenza in 2011.

Sergeant Metcalfe's father said this about his son in an interview with local press: "He was always positive, always the one taking the lead, a little mischievous. The Army took that leadership and put it into proper use. To watch his maturity after he joined the service made me as proud as I could be."

Sergeant Metcalfe leaves his wife Vesna, four children, Kalyn (12), Alexis (6), Edward (3), Nathaniel (1), his parents Tom and Sherri, brother James and sister Debi.

US Army Sergeant Donna Johnson killed by suicide bomber

29-year-old US Army Sergeant Donna R. Johnson, from Raeford, North Carolina, was one of three North Carolina National Guard personnel killed on 1st October 2012 by a suicide bomber. 

A Taliban insurgent drove a motorcycle packed with explosives into a group of soldiers who were on a patrol in Khost, eastern Afghanistan. 

Sergeant Johnson served with the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, North Carolina. She joined the North Carolina National Guard in August 2006 and deployed to Iraq from 2007 to 2008. She was a former state prison guard and a military police officer. 

Her family said in a statement they want to remember her "as a mission focused professional who gave her life serving her country and performing a job that she loved and excelled at. She was a reserved and private person who had a close group of friends and four dogs. She is survived by her spouse, Tracy Dice." 

Sergeant Johnson's awards and decorations included the Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal and Army Commendation Medal. 

The other soldiers killed were: Sergeant Jeremy Hardison and Sergeant Thomas Butler.

US Army Sergeant Jeremy Hardison killed by suicide bomber

23-year-old US Army Sergeant Jeremy F. Hardison, from Maysville, North Carolina, was one of three North Carolina National Guard personnel killed on 1st October 2012 by a suicide bomber. 

A Taliban insurgent drove a motorcycle packed with explosives into a group of soldiers who were on a patrol in Khost, eastern Afghanistan. 

Sergeant Hardison served with the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, North Carolina. 

He joined the National Guard so that he could attend school and then design and build aircraft, his family said in a statement. He was a driver for a Greensboro trucking company before the 514th left North Carolina for training at Fort Bliss, Texas, in June. The unit departed for Afghanistan in early August. He attended White Oak High School in Jacksonville, played the trombone, and taught himself to play guitar. His wife, Brittni, said she remembers him as a "kind and respectful husband" who loved his stepdaughter Alyssa. 

The other soldiers killed were: Sergeant Donna Johnson and Sergeant Thomas Butler.

US Army Sergeant Thomas Butler killed by suicide bomber

25-year-old US Army Sergeant Thomas J. Butler IV, from Wilmington, North Carolina, was one of three North Carolina National Guard personnel killed on 1st October 2012 by a suicide bomber. 

A Taliban insurgent drove a motorcycle packed with explosives into a group of soldiers who were on a patrol in Khost, eastern Afghanistan. 

Sergeant Butler served with the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, North Carolina. He began his military service in June 2007. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. 

His awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. 

His wife, Holly, issued this statement: Sgt. Thomas Jefferson Butler, IV, TJ, was the most proud and devoted husband and father, and a loving brother and son. He was the truest friend and would do anything he could for anyone. He is not only our hero, but a hero for this country he so bravely and proudly served. Family was very important to TJ. His mother, Leslie, and father, Thomas, beam with pride when talking about their son. He enjoyed spending time with his younger brother and strived to be the best role model for Adam. TJ and I first met in 2006 towards the end of his senior year at Topsail High School, and we were married in November of 2008. He was such a true blessing in my life and I have always said what a dream it was to be able to marry my best friend. TJ is and always will be the love of my life and my soulmate." 

The other soldiers killed were: Sergeant Jeremy Hardison and Sergeant Donna Johnson.

Retired NYPD Sergeant Kevin O'Rourke

Kevin O’Rourke, a 52-year-old father of two, was killed on 29th September 2012 at Sayyid Abad, Afghanistan. He was a civilian contractor serving with the US Army's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as its law enforcement advisor. He died when his unit came under fire from enemy forces.

Mr. O'Rourke retired from the New York Police Department in 2003. After he retired, he helped in relief operations in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there. After that, he answered the military’s call for law enforcement personnel to help train Iraqi policemen.

In the same incident, US Army Sergeant 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe, was killed.

US Military fatalities - September 2012

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

Date	Name	Rank	Age	Unit
SEP
29-Sep	Metcalfe, Daniel T.	Sgt. 1st	29	2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
28-Sep	Stephens, Riley G.	Sgt. 1st	39	1st Btn, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
26-Sep	Sparks, Orion N.	Staff Sgt.	29	1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment
26-Sep	Gollnitz, Jonathan A.	Sergeant	28	1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment
22-Sep	Roberts, Dion R.	GM 2nd	25	East Coast Naval Special Warfare Unit
20-Sep	Swindle, Jason M.	Sergeant	24	1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment
16-Sep	Sapuro B. Nena	Sergeant	25	3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade
16-Sep	Joshua N. Nelson	Spc.	22	513th Military Intelligence Brigade
16-Sep	Genaro Bedoy	Pfc.	20	52nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade
16-Sep	Jon R. Townsend	Pfc.	19	23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade
15-Sep	Raible, Christopher K.	Lt. Col.	40	Marine Attack Sq 211, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
15-Sep	Atwell, Bradley W.	Sergeant	27	Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13
13-Sep	Osborn, Kyle B.	Sergeant	26	1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
5-Sep	Montenegro Jr., Jose L.	CWO2	31	1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment
5-Sep	Ramirez, Thalia S.	CWO2	28	1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment
3-Sep	Terwiske, Alec R.	L-Cpl.	21	1st Combat Engineer Btn, 1st Marine Division
2-Sep	Rookey, Kyle R.	Spc.	23	4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
1-Sep	Border, Jeremie S.	Staff Sgt.	28	1st Btn, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)
1-Sep	Schmidt, Jonathan P.	Staff Sgt.	28	192nd Ordnance Btn, 52nd Ordnance Group