Hero Stories for November 2009

U.S. forces, Iraqi Security Forces and key political leaders of Wanah, a village in northern Iraq, gathered to celebrate the opening of a soccer field and watch the first match played there, Oct.

Spc. Daniel C. Lawson, Army, Spc. Daniel C. Lawson will be greatly missed. He was loved by many and will forever be in our hearts and minds. God is still in control and we will forever praise him! Love you brother, Mela

Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, died November 8, 2009, in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed. Chief Warrant Officer Scott was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. </d

Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho, died November 8, 2009, in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed. Chief Warrant Officer Heffelfinger was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. </d

Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright, 26, of Union Bridge, Maryland, died November 7, 2009, while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. Sgt. Cartwright was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, California. </d

Spc. Gary L. Gooch, Jr., 22, of Ocala, Florida, died November 5, 2009, in Jelewar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Spc. Gooch was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d

Spc. Aaron S. Aamot, 22, of Custer, Washington, died November 5, 2009, in Jelewar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Spc. Aamot was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d

Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador, 29, of Albany, New York, died November 4, 2009, in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Staff Sgt. Tirador was assigned to the 209th Military Intelligence Company, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. </d

Sgt. Benjamin W. Sherman, 21, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, was killed November 4, 2009, in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, while participating in a resupply mission. Sgt. Sherman was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. </d

Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, Army, Operation Enduring Freedon Michael was a great son, brother, husband, father, uncle and nephew. He was the youngest of 4 children. He was married and leave behind his wife Alyssa and 1 year old son Connor. His mother, 2 sisters and 2 brothers,7 nephews and 1 niece. He always had a smile on his face and knew that the military was his calling. He is loved and missed so much. He took a piece of everyone's heart with him. We are so very Proud of you Michael our Hero ...