These are the names of our FALLEN HEROES. If you have any information how this HERO lived, please email the information and a picture in jpeg to us and we will add it to the name.
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Sgt. 1st Class Charles L. Adkins
36
Sandusky
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Sgt. Justin B. Allen
23
Coal Grove
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Zhari, Afghanistan
7-10-2010
Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, was planning to get married in November. The Army Ranger posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among other medals. He had two tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan "We are here today to honor an American hero. " "Justin was a model Ranger. His unit was in its 14th combat rotation. Justin's life and service embodies the Ranger creed." Several hundred people attended a memorial service at Dawson-Bryant High School and several hundred more people lined the funeral route, many of them waving American flags. The 2005 Dawson-Bryant High School graduate played several sports, including football and baseball. His No. 11 Hornets uniform was among a number of pictures on display in the high school gymnasium. He enlisted in the Army in May 2006. "He was always smiling." "He was an all-around good kid." Allen was an All-American guy who really couldn't get into eating Chinese or Japanese food. "He would say how can you eat dog." "I got him to go to a Chinese restaurant one time and he ordered chicken fingers." "He loved his cowboy boots," "You could hear them clicking in the hall. He loved his country and his job. He willingly put himself at risk to protect his men. He loved Kimberly (Schwartz, his fiancee). We looked at wedding rings for two weeks. He was my best friend. "Justin was always friendly and willing to help anyone." He strived to get good grades. He played chess." "However, I don't think Justin would want us to worry or grieve over this loss. I feel as if he would want us celebrate his life and be thankful for all the good memories we have. We need to remember his smile, his kindness." "We all loved him," The anger will come. The question why will be asked. Justin was such an outstanding young man. Our hearts are troubled. Now is the time to believe more strongly. With God's help. We must go on." "The Justin we know got promoted last week,"
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Spc. Joseph A. Bauer
27
Cincinnati
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Qalat, Afghanistan
7-24-2010
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Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer
44
Perrysburg
| Kabul, Afghanistan
5-18-2010
Lt. Col Thomas P. Lt. Col Thomas P. Belkofer, age 44, of the Army's 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, New York and formerly of Perrysburg Township. Tom was born on June 2, 1965 in Toledo, Ohio to Donald Jr. and Sharon (O'Keefe) Belkofer. He graduated from Rossford High School in 1983 where he played football and was a standout wrestler. After High School he briefly attended Wright State University and the University of Toledo before transferring to Bowling Green State University where in 1992 he earned a bachelor's degree in architectural and environment design technology and married his college sweetheart, Margaret (Margo) Maness. He served in the Army National Guard before signing up for the ROTC program at BGSU and was commissioned into the Field Artillery as a Distinguished Military Graduate. In 2002, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University. Lt. Col. Thomas Belkofer was an 18 year veteran of the United States Army. His operational troop leading assignments included Company Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader and Battalion Adjutant for 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery at Fort Hood, Texas; and Battalion Fire Support Officer and Battery Commander for Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery. His leadership duties included Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Meade, Maryland, The Pentagon, Vicenza, Italy, and most recently, Fort Drum, New York. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2005-2006 as Resource Manager for Office of Security Cooperation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In his career he was awarded the Legion of Merit (Posthumous), Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Meritorious Service Award (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, NATO Medal (Posthumous), and Combat Action Badge (Posthumous). He led a life of honor and was known as a man who loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, his country, his Army and his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes, which he proclaimed wherever he was stationed. In Afghanistan in 2005, he could be found awake in the middle of the night so that he wouldn't miss a Buckeye football game. Surviving is his loving wife, Margo (Maness) Belkofer; daughters, Alyssa, age 15, and Ashley, age 11; parents, Donald and Sharon Belkofer; brothers, Don (Cathy) Belkofer and Doug Belkofer; father in-law, William (Eleanor) Maness; mother in-law, Pauline Maness. Also surviving are many, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.
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Pfc. William S. Blevins
21
Sardinia
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Sgt. Benjamin W. Biskie
27
Vermillion
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Chief Petty Officer
Raymond J. Border
31
Lafayette
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Pakitika Province, Afghanistan
10-19-2011
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Spc. Edward L. Brooks
25
Dayton
| One day, Edward L. Brooks was interested in a patch on retired Army Sgt. First Class Stanley Andrews' uniform. Brooks asked his ROTC instructor what it meant. "If you want to know, look it up. Brooks did look it up and came back two days later with a five-page report on the history of the 9th and 10th Cavalry units. He was a 2000 high school graduate and was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany. Brooks had been a standout in the school district for his work as a student and was an award-winning leader on the Junior ROTC drill team, where he excelled at being a "spin master" in precision rifle drills, twirling his 9-pound rifle like a baton. "He was a winner," "He was one of the true heroes in my book. He neve complained. A stellar hero, a true Daytonian." He is survived by his wife, Ivana Brooks, and children, Shaquan, Shantique, and Darnell Klauser.
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Pfc. Jordan M. Byrd
19
Grantsville
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Yahya Kheyl, Afghanistan
10-13-2010
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Lt. Col. Mario D. Carazo
41
Springfield
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Sgt. Patrick R. Carroll
25
Norwalk
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Spc. Nathan B. Carse
32
Harrod
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Sgt. Nicholas A. Casey
22
Canton
| Sergeant Nicholas A. "Nick" Casey I, was born on July 2, 1986 in Canton, Ohio. Nick was a 2004 graduate of Timken High School. He was a loving husband, father and son and will be greatly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Mary Casey and uncle, Glen Casey. Nick is survived by his wife of four years, Rachelle; two sons, Nicholas II (age three) and Curtis (age two); mother, Deborah (stepfather Dennis) Mitchell; father, Sam Casey (girlfriend Lisa Bailey and her children, Buddy and Jessica Bailey); brother, Samuel III (Kim) Casey; and sister, Amber Casey; half-sister, Terri King; stepbrothers, Dennis and Dustin; grandmothers, Barb Rush and Roberta Loar.
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Lance Cpl. Peter J. Clore
23
New Philadelphia
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
5-28-2011
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Spc. Michael B. Cook Jr.
27
Middletown
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Staff Sgt. Robert B Cowdrey
39
Atwater
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Kunar Province, Afghanistan
10-13-2011
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Cpl. Benjamin C. Dillon
22
Rootstown |
| He was a gun team leader. Dillon volunteered for military service and entered the Army in September 2004. After completing One Station Unit Training, Basic Airborne Course and the 75th Ranger Regiment's Ranger Indoctrination Program training here, he was assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment in April 2005. Dillon is a graduate of Southeast High School in Edinburg, Ohio. He was a veteran of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. Dillon was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. He is survived by his parents Terry and Linda Dillon, and brothers Nicholas and Steven all of Rootstown, Ohio. Dillon convinced a teammate to hunch over. Then the 5-foot-7 player ran and jumped off the other player's back to dunk the ball. "We celebrated like Ben had just won the NBA dunk contest," "That showed the spirit of Ben. He always found a way to be successful, despite the obstacles before him." He was a 2004 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Benning. He was on his fourth overseas tour. He also loved golf and baseball, beating his friends at a James Bond Nintendo game and telling stories by the campfire. He always wanted to be an Army Ranger. "He could have done anything in life he wanted to do, and that's what he was doing," "One night during his training, he was sleeping outside when a spider crawled on him," "But he just left it there. It was so cold that night, he said he needed it for the body heat." He also is survived by his father, Terry.
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Spc. Jacob P. Dohrenwend
20
Milford
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Maj. Michael S. Evarts
41
Concord
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Cpl. Shawn D. Fannin
32
Wheelersburg
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Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Gire
28
Chillicothe
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Spc. Adam S. Hamilton
22
Kent
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Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon
20
Mentor
| Joshua S. Harmon's smile got him in trouble on his first day of boot camp. He couldn't stop grinning when an officer gave him orders. "At boot camp, he was the first guy off the bus who had to do push-ups." He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Schofield Barracks. He loved music and fast cars. He played guitar with his bands Subhumans and Headfirst. A medic who had won the medal of valor for saving a wounded soldier's life, Harmon was taking biology classes online and preparing for medical school. While Harmon was on vacation in Qatar, he snapped a picture of himself and three locals playing a board game. He didn't know the men, the game or even the language, but he was still able to coax a smile for the camera. "That's the kind of kid he was," "He could walk into a room of strangers and leave with 10 friends." He also is survived by his wife, Kristin. The two married by proxy May 10 and were hoping to have a large wedding next summer.
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Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart
25
Perrysburg
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Spc. Robert P. Hartwick
20
Rockbridge
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Baghdad, Iraq
6-6-2011
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Spc. Jason J. Hernandez
21
Streetsboro |
| Jason was born September 7, 1986 in Highland Park, IL. He was raised in Streetsboro, Ohio where he was a 2005 graduate of Streetsboro High School. Jason was a very accomplished athlete who competed on the high school wrestling team and had played football since he was in middle school. He married his high school sweetheart, Alisha (Becht) Hernandez on October 16, 2006, Alisha's birthday. Jason's family and friends will always remember him as happy, outgoing, energetic, and a young man who loved his life and everyone in it. He had a big heart and so much love for everyone he knew. Jason would do anything in his power to put a smile on your face, even if it meant he had to stand on his head. He was a very devoted and dedicated to his work as a soldier. He would write home and stress how important it was for him and all of his fellow brothers to keep his family, friends, and the entire country safe. Jason truly believed in protecting America. He was a very loyal loving young man that any parent could ever want. With honor and dedication he served with the 1st of the 9th Calvary Division, 4th Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Alisha Hernandez of Shalersville Twp., OH; parents, John and Uta Hernandez; sister, Angela; and brother, Aaron, all of Streetsboro, OH; in-laws, Paul and Ruth Becht; and brother-in-law, Adam Becht, all of Shalersville Twp; grandmother, Renate Obst of Nuremberg, Germany; grandfather, Manfred Mueller of Frankfurt, Germany; grandmother, Patricia Valerio of Mexico; grandfather, John Hernandez, Sr. of Waukegan, IL; and special aunts, Eva Sieber and Susanne Mueller of Germany; and countless friends.
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Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Hughes
41
Newark
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Chief Warrant Officer
Rodney A. Jarvis
34
Akron
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Spc. Gerald R. Jenkins
19
Circleville
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Cpl. Adam D. Jones
29
Germantown
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Petty Officer 2nd Class
Darrell Jones
Wellston
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Cpl. Joshua D. Jones
24
Pomeroy
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Sgt. David J. Luff Jr.
29
Hamilton
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Staff Sgt. Jonathon L. Martin
33
Bellevue
| Even after a roadside bomb tore into his arm a year ago, Jonathon L. Martin felt he had to return to active duty for the good of his unit. "I'm going to bring those guys back. My job is to protect those guys." He was a 1993 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Campbell. He served four years in the Marine Corps. After a one-year hiatus, he joined the Army. He was on his third tour in Iraq and had been awarded the Purple Heart. "His heart was in the military." "He always wanted to be a soldier, and he's a very good one." He also is survived by his wife, Rebecca, 8-year-old Allaina, 5-year-old Allie and 10month-old Trenton. "From a young age, Jon had a sense of duty." "Jon showed a lot of people what it meant to be a friend." Many of Sergeant Martin's comrades "feel that Jon had saved their lives. Literally."
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Pfc. Ryan A. Martin
22
Mount Vernon
| Ryan A. Martin forever changed Cassie Seevers' life: He introduced her to her future husband. "I'll always love him for that," Both were attending the Knox County Career Center when Martin played Cupid for Cassie and Ryan Seevers. Martin studied carpentry with Ryan Seevers and often went out to a karaoke club with him for fun. The youngest of three boys, he was stationed in Hamilton, Ohio. Martin worked at various jobs, including as a forklift operator and at a printing shop, before deciding to join the National Guard, where he seemed to have found his calling. When he came home for a two-week leave in August, Martin was somewhat reluctant to leave Iraq. "He said he was looking forward to coming home, but when it came time to pack up, he didn't want to leave his buddies," "He really made some good friendships and bonded with others while he was there." He is also survived by his father, Thomas and mother, Deborah Martin.
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Capt. Joshua M. McClimans
30
Akron
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Lance Cpl. Joshua B. McDaniels
21
Dublin
| Helmans Province
Afghanistan
6-12-2011
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Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr.
29
Bucyrus
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Sgt. 1st Class Daniel E. Miller
43
Rossford
| A faithful Roman Catholic, Dan has been attending St. Patrick Parish of Ft. Knox and St. Christopher Parish of Radcliff. Dan's a member of the Knights of Columbus and is posthumously being honored for his "patriotism enlightened and informed by religion" with promotion to the rank of Knight of the Fourth Degree. SFC Miller has also been singularly devoted to living out the Gospel of Life. A dedicated, loving, and supportive family man, known for his fun-loving nature and irreverent and ever-present sense of humor, Dan has been a maniacal coffee-lover and an accomplished tinkerer, with a MacGyver-like talent to fix anything and everything. Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Anne Miller; four precious daughters, Michaela, Maggie, Marianna, and Lucy, and two treasured sons, Lucas and Dominic. A native of Thornville, OH, he also leaves behind his proud parents, Harold and Susan Miller; his brothers, Dusty and Fred Miller and his sister, Shelly Kaufman, all of Thornville. He has also been a loving son-in-law to his wife's parents, Helen and Casimer Przybylowski of Rossford, Ohio. He remains a beloved father figure and hero, not only to his own children, but to several children of the members of the St. Benedict Homeschool Association. SFC Miller, whose military career has spanned over 21 years, has willingly and unselfishly given all in the service of his country for the preservation of the freedoms enjoyed by the people of the United States of America and for the protection of his fellow service members, cherished family, and dear friends. Dan loved the Army. He loved the Infantry.
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Spc. Gregory J. Missman
36
Batavia
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Sgt. 1st Class Brian Naseman
36
New Bremen
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Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes
29
Athens
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Sgt. Daniel J. Parton
26
Canton
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
8-6-2011
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Spc. Samuel F. Pearson
28
Westerville
| After graduating from high school in 1998, Samuel F. Pearson went to Otterbein College, where he played football and majored in economics. He graduated from Otterbein College in 2003 and was assigned to Wausau. His senior year in high school, Pearson caught 15 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns. One of those was a 50-yard catch against West Carrollton to beat the Pirates 7-5. "He was a great kid for us." After he signed up in September 2006, Pearson "really took a sense of pride" that he was serving in the reserve. He was a "quiet guy, but a sweet guy," "He was always there for his family." He also is survived by his parents, Randi and Carolyn.
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Cpl. Lucas T. Pyeatt
24
West Chester
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Sgt. Titus R. Reynolds
23
Columbus
| Titus Reynolds attended Reynoldsburg High School, and Sycks said he also attended a vocational school.
Records show that Reynolds was based at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Wash.
Besides his father, Titus Reynolds is survived by his mother, Elizabeth, as well as two brothers and a sister.
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Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez
25
Englewood
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Kandahar Province
Afghanistan
6-20-2011
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1st Lt. John M. Runkle
27
West Salem
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1st Lt. Michael L. Runyan
24
Newark
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Pfc. Zachary S. Salmon
21
Harrison
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Spc. Jon M. Schoolcraft III
26
Wapakoneta
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Lance Cpl. Lucas C. Scott
20
Peebles
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Spc. Jesse A. Snow
25
Fairborn
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Cpl. Jacob A. Tate
21
Columbus
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Chief Warrant Officer
Christopher R. Thibodeau
28
Chesterland
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Spc. Anthony M.K. Vinnedge
24
Okeana
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1st Lt. Ashley I. White
24
Alliance
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Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
10-22-2011
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LCpl. Terry C. Wright
21
Scio
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
9-21-2011
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Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt
25
Akron
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