Names, Stories, and Pictures of the Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Wire Reports | 3/22/03 | Wire Reports

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Army Spc. David T. Nutt

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Army Spc. Kyle A. Griffin


http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2Mzg4NDUzJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mw==

Police give soldier's body an escort home

By EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITER



EMERSON - The family of Kyle Griffin quietly arrived in front of the Becker Funeral Home in Westwood on Friday evening, bearing a flag-draped coffin carrying the body of their son, who died in an accident in Iraq last week.

Fifteen police cars from Emerson, Westwood, and other departments escorted the family and the body during the 3½-hour trip from Dover, Del.

"He was treated the same as if he were a slain brother officer," said Emerson Police Chief Michael Saudino.

With the motorcade were several motorcycles from the Nam-Knights, a biker group of off-duty patrolmen and Vietnam veterans. A state police vehicle led the way up the fast lane of the New Jersey Turnpike.

The police officers stood and saluted at the funeral home.

Griffin was in training to be a Ranger when he was sent to Kuwait in February, then to Iraq. He was a passenger in a three-vehicle convoy to Tikrit from Mosul last week, when a civilian car swerved to avoid a pothole during a storm.

Two Humvees in the convoy safely avoided it, but the truck in which Griffin was riding rolled and crashed, killing Griffin and his best friend, Spec. Zachariah W. Long of Milton, Pa. A third soldier, Spec. Michael T. Gleason, 25, of Warren, Pa., also died. All three were with the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

An hour before the Griffin family drove to Dover to receive their son's body, Ronald Griffin sat outside the family home.

He said his son would have cringed at the attention in his hometown.

"He'd be embarrassed right now," Griffin said. "This is not him at all. He wasn't an accolades person."

Griffin choked back tears as he praised the borough, neighbors, and the strangers who continue to express their condolences and offer to help the family.

"This town has done more for us in big and small ways than you could ever count," Griffin said.

For example, Saudino drove the Griffin family to Delaware in his 43-foot motor home.

"I figured we'd just drive there in my van," Griffin said. "But Mike Saudino said he'd drive us."

Outside the family's home on Ackerman Avenue, Griffin told of his son's attraction to the armed forces, even if he was an average athlete.

"From the time he was a kid, Kyle loved to be outside," Griffin said. "He played commando all the time."

He was fascinated by the intricacies of firearms. He became well-versed in gunnery. But he bucked a structured education.

"He was third in his class of 2000," at Emerson Junior-Senior High School, Ronald Griffin said. "Third from the bottom."

But he said he never threw in the towel on his son, knowing the young man would find his way.

"I've always said Kyle is the poster boy for never giving up on a child," his father said.

Ronald Griffin, a Vietnam veteran who was drafted into the war in the late 1960s, said Kyle joined the Army in May 2001. At the time of his death he was on a routine patrol and was not driving the truck, his father said.

For Kyle - who would have been 21 on Sept. 11 - graduation from infantry school in November 2001 followed by airborne school was the right path.

"He marveled at what he did in the Army," Ronald Griffin said of his son's accomplishments.

Griffin said he hadn't seen Kyle since his last leave in January.

"In the Army he was just doing his job," Griffin added. "He didn't want the adulation. It didn't mean anything to him except to be with his buddies, the guys that he loved and respected."

Visiting will be 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. A service is planned at 11 a.m. Monday at First Congregational Church of River Edge, Continental Avenue, with burial to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

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Army Spc. Kyle A. Griffin

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Thanks, Diddle E.

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Army Spc. Michael T. Gleason


http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/6236199.htm

Despite being a world away, Michael T. Gleason thought often of his northwest Pennsylvania home. The last time he spoke with his parents, Gleason hungered for news from Warren, the small town near the Allegheny National Forest where he grew up.

His father, Timothy Gleason Sr., said Michael was almost finished with his four-year stint in the Army.

"His goal was to come home to Warren," the elder Gleason said. "He was toying with college. He was toying with re-enlisting. He was going to come home and take the summer off."

Gleason, 25, was one of three soldiers killed in a vehicle accident May 30 in Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Bragg.

Timothy and Laurie Gleason have another son in Iraq - Timothy Jr., 28, serving in the Air Force.

"My two sons went into the military," the father said. "They took an oath."

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Army Spc. Michael T. Gleason

Gleason, 25, was with the Army 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C. He died May 30, 2003 between Mosul and Tikrit, Iraq. Gleason was in a three-vehicle convoy traveling from Mosul to Tikrit during a storm when a civilian vehicle dodged a pothole and caused two Humvees to swerve and his light medium tactical vehicle to turn sharply and turn over.

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May God take every one of these soldiers into his house so that they may rest in peace. We Salute you the men and women who served so proudly

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Army Sgt. Keman Mitchell


http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:PA2lSsmO_BcJ:www.gazette.com/war/0605war.html++iraq+keman+mitchell&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Church group, trip to capital set soldier’s sights on Army

By JOSIE LOZA THE GAZETTE

A family vacation to Washington, D.C., and involvement in a church group might have shaped Sgt. Keman Mitchell’s career choice.

"I honestly believe it was the visit and the Boys Brigade that sparked his interest in the Army," said his father, Steven Mitchell of Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Keman Mitchell, 24, of Nassau County, Fla., drowned May 26 in an aqueduct south of Kirkuk, Iraq. His death is under investigation.

Mitchell served in the 4 th Engineer Battalion of the 3 rd Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Carson.

Steven Mitchell described his son as a quiet and shy child. When he learned his son was joining the Army, he said he was filled with joy.

"I think the Army was good for him," he said.

"He was able to get out and travel."

Mitchell’s fondness for the Army came from the time he spent with the Boys Brigade, a youth group that uses military training methods to teach teens how to be leaders.

Mitchell was born in 1978 and was raised in Fernandina Beach, near Jacksonville.

He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1997. He served six years in the Army.

"He was the only one in the family that went in the service," his father said.

Marilyn Jordan, Mitchell’s mother, said he was the oldest of her four sons.

"He was a giving person," she said. "He was always willing to help others, especially his brothers."

Steven Mitchell received a letter from his son the day he died. He complained about the heat and said his soldiers were retrieving weapons and helping to establish a police force.

A funeral service is planned for Saturday in Fernandina Beach.

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Army Sgt. Keman Mitchell

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Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner


http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1055929047255942.xml

'Model soldier' honored at Worthington funeral

Mark Williams
Associated Press


Worthington, Ohio - As bagpipes played, six soldiers carried a flag-draped casket past rows of American flags into a cemetery yesterday for the burial of a 20-year-old soldier killed in Iraq.

Fire trucks, their lights flashing, were stationed at the entrance to Walnut Grove Cemetery.

The soldiers also had carried the casket into Worthington United Methodist Church for the funeral of Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner.

A flag was at half-staff outside the church in this Columbus suburb, and a pianist and flutist played "Amazing Grace" inside.

Oberleitner was killed and five other soldiers were wounded June 5 in Fallujah, Iraq, when they were attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade.

At least seven Ohio soldiers have died in Iraq, most of them since President Bush declared an end to major hostilities May 1.

"He's described as a model soldier, a soldier others could count on, turn to and laugh with," family friend William Owen told the approximately 200 mourners at the church.

"He has a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the appreciation of all of us because he showed that Americans are not selfish, but selfless," Owen said.

Owen said Oberleitner learned loyalty to people and to his unit. "He learned respect for others," he said.

As a child, Oberleitner was described as ornery.

"He was like all children, disappointing one moment and filling us with pride the next," Owen said.

Oberleitner served in the 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"Branden did not die because of God's will but because men and women hate too much and love too little," said the Rev. Alan Sippel.

"Branden has entered that life that knows no end."

Oberleitner was a 2001 graduate of Thomas Worthington High School. He felt compelled to join the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to friends.

At the cemetery, Maj. Gen. James Donald kneeled on one knee as he gave Oberleitner's mother a flag folded by the soldiers, along with her son's Bronze Star for valor and Purple Heart.

Donald said he told her that the flag was being presented on behalf of a grateful nation and for her son's dedicated service to his country.

Seven soldiers fired a three-shot volley, and a trumpeter played taps.

"The last two weeks have just been a nightmare," said Keith Luce, who taught firefighting and emergency medical training to Oberleitner at the Delaware Area Career Center.

He said Oberleitner talked about the military extensively at the career center and how the terrorist attacks influenced his decision to join the Army.

"He's really a nice kid," Luce said after the funeral. "He was ornerier than the devil. He could make you laugh."

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Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner

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Navy Petty Officer Third Class Doyle W. Bollinger


http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2003/June/13/news/Sailor.html

Family Remembers Sailor
By Marcus Blair
TIMES RECORD

POTEAU — Two weeks ago, Wayne Bollinger called his mother from Iraq to say he loved her. It was the last time she heard from him.

Nine days later, a Naval officer brought word that the 21-year-old Navy SeaBee from Poteau had been killed by an undetected bomb that exploded near his unit as they were working.

His mother, Wyvonne Bollinger, wept Thursday as she spoke at a news conference at the Poteau Civic Center. She said her son loved being in the Navy and was proud to serve his country.

Wayne Bollinger believed he should go to war to prevent another devastating terrorist attack on America, his mother said. He wanted to do his part.

“If my 20-year-old son could tell me that, then I believe in this war, too,” Wyvonne Bollinger said. “God brought him home ... not home the way we wanted him to be, but he’s in a better home.”

Wayne Bollinger grew up in Poteau and graduated from Poteau High School. He never was quite sure of what he wanted to do with his life, but knew the Navy was a good way to be successful, his mother said.

He had a strong sense of duty and never told his mother where he was working in Iraq or what he was doing. But he often spoke of the future: He had plans of re-enlisting or starting his own business when his tour of duty was over.

Wayne Bollinger felt a deep connection to the men in his unit. His last letter home contained a list of 40 men who had not received care packages, and he asked his mother to find someone who would support them.

That was the way he lived his life: He loved people and wanted to meet and know everyone, his mother said. Sometimes he would introduce himself to strangers and have long conversations with them because he was interested in people.

Wyvonne Bollinger urged people to continue to pray for and support the troops because although the war may be over, the danger remains for those on the front lines.

“They’re not over there for the fun of it; they’re over there for a reason,” she said. “They need to just know America is behind them 100 percent.”

Wayne Bollinger’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Poteau High School gymnasium.

Bollinger’s death is being investigated by the Navy, said Lt. Commander Robert Mulac of Navy Public Affairs. It may be several weeks before details can be released.

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Navy Petty Officer Third Class Doyle W. Bollinger

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Marine Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert


http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/07/04/sprj.irq.marines.letter.ap/

Soldier's letter tells of hard work and great pride

(AP) -- On May 10, Marine Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert e-mailed a letter to his hometown newspaper, The Banner-Independent of Booneville, Mississippi, describing his pride in being a Marine.

On June 1, Lambert -- a husband and father of a 2-year-old daughter -- died from injuries suffered in a Humvee accident on Memorial Day.

This is part of what Lambert, 28, said in his letter:



I am a Marine. I have been in the Marines for over eight years. It has always been a dream for me to be in the Marines. I love the challenge. I continuously work and sweat for it.

I feel that I need to give back to my nation what so many have given before me. I have an uncle, Carroll Brown, who was in the Marine Corps during Viet Nam. His stories are what enticed me with the thoughts of being a Marine.

My occupation is wireless data communications. I am hard and thorough with my Marines to make sure the job is done right. Many other Marines depend on us for their survival in combat. I will not let them down.

On March 22nd, my section crossed over into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We continued to advance for the next three weeks until we were at Saddam's front door, Baghdad.

It was a hard battle with many Marines wounded or killed in action. But this is what we had to do to protect your way of life. Your freedoms, also. This operation was history in the making. This was the furthest the Marine Corps has fought a battle inland in the 227 years of its existence.

I'm not writing to you to toot the horns for the Marine Corps, but many people look at the big picture and forget about what it took to make it. It takes people dedicated to protect this nation. I have respect for all services, law enforcement, and especially the firemen. We know that this is more than a job, we do it for our children, grandchildren, friends and family. To make sure that their future will be protected as ours is today.

So I say thanks to everyone who supports us. Without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. We are one family here, as we are back home.

I include a picture of me in front of a Russian made Type 54/55 tank that was destroyed by artillery by some of my fellow Marines using radios that I manage. It is located in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq at about 180 miles south of Baghdad. We are slowly making our way back home. Also, there is one with me sitting in front of one of the thousands of murals of Saddam. Thanks for your time.

Semper Fi,

Jonathan W. Lambert

Sgt. USMC

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Marine Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert

Lambert, 28, was with the Marines Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division , Camp Pendleton, Calif. He died June 1, 2003 in Iraq. Lambert died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany as a result of injuries suffered when his Humvee rolled over. Survivors include his wife, Betty, and a 2-year-old daughter, Kinsey; and his parents, Becky and Johnny Lambert of Booneville, Miss.

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May God comfort the mourning.God bless our troops and keep them safe.Thank you Diddle E.

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What a work of love you have produced here. Thank you.

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