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. Jan M. Argonish
26
Peckville
| Forward Operating Base Naray, Afghanistan
8-27-2007
A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom with nearly 10 years of service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Sgt. Argonish volunteered to help train soldiers of the Afghan National Army. It was his third deployment since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Born Feb. 6, 1981, son of Nancy and Michael Argonish, Peckville, Sgt. Argonish was a 1999 graduate of Valley View High School, where he played football and was a member of the swim team. He joined the National Guard as a junior, with his parents' proud consent. An accomplished soldier, Sgt. Argonish was a graduate of the Army's infantry and mortar schools and the tanker school at Fort Knox, Ky. He also served two years as a military recruiter. During his tour in Iraq, his duties included the capture and detention of several high-level fugitives. He received numerous service awards, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Pennsylvania Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Medal, Gen. Thomas J. Stewart Medal, Pennsylvania Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal. Sgt. Argonish was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Peckville, and VFW Post 5544, Jessup. Since February 2006, he was employed as a corrections officer at the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Waymart. An avid outdoorsman, Sgt. Argonish enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles with his son, Jakub, and Talia Walsh, whom he planned to marry and called his "better half." He loved country music and classic cars, and attended a car show in Atlantic City, N.J., with his father every February. He missed the traditional trip just twice, when he was deployed.
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Master Sgt. Scott R. Ball
38
Mount Holly Springs
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Jalalabad, Afghanistan
8-27-2007
Born February 25, 1969 in Daytona Beach, FL, he was the son of Margaret Knotts Bertrand of Duncannon and the late William Richard Ball. Scott was a devoted husband, dedicated Dad, Super Son, Great son-in-law, loving brother and true friend. He loved God and his Country; he attended Bethel Assembly of God, Carlisle. Scott believed that Knowledge is Power. Scott was a 1988 graduate of West Perry High School and a 1993 graduate of HACC. He excelled in all his accomplishments. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1992 completing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, after completion of Airborne School. He was then stationed in Bamberg, Germany. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and served in Desert Storm. After transferring to the Army National Guard, he was assigned to Germany providing force protection as a result of 9/11. He finished air assault school and was then deployed to Afghanistan. He was a CSO in Lower Allen Twp. in 1992 and a police officer in Lower Merion Twp. in 1995. He graduated in 2000 from the PA State Police Academy and became a PA State Trooper. His stations included Media, York, and Chambersburg before joining the Carlisle station on July 6, 2002. He was a member of the State Police Motorcycle Unit and served as a field-training officer who mentored new troopers. Scott held a pilot license with Harrisburg Jet Center; and was a volunteer fire fighter with the Shermans Dale Fire Dept. He had many achievements and accomplishments. He enjoyed family, friends, dirt track racing, football, music and traveling. His affiliations were with Blue Knights, Harley Owners Group, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc., and the FOP; and belonged to the Sara Evans fan club. Surviving by his mother, are his wife of 16 years, Leslie McAlister Ball; one son and daughter, Tyler and Allie Ball; 3 sisters, Tammy Ball, New Bloomfield, Laura Krout, Carlisle and Billie Jo Hibbard and her husband, Jeff, Missouri; his father and mother in-law, Lester and Pauline McAlister, Mt. Holly Springs; step-father, William Bertrand, Duncannon; and his step-brother, Dickson Bertrand and wife, Brandi, Louisiana.
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Senior Airman
Bryan R. Bell
23
Erie
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Helmand Province, Afghanistan
1-5-2012
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Airman 1st Class
Austin H. Gates Benson
19
Hellertown
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Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini
52
Wilcox
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Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin F. Bitner
37
Greencastle
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Sgt. Douglas J. Bull
29
Wilkes Barre
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Pfc. Adam J. Chitjian
39
Philadelphia
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Spc. Zachary R. Clouser
19
Dover
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Pvt. Michael R. Dinterman
18
Littlestown
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Spc. Chad A. Edmundson
20
Williamsburg
| He graduated less than a year ago from Williamsburg Community High School in a class of 48 students. "He was always a fine young man, very respectful," "He talked about joining the Army all [senior] year,". Edmundson was remembered by many in town as a young man who loved wrestling and playing chess, and who made people smile. "He'd light up a room with that smile," He enjoyed skateboarding, bowling, golfing, fishing, wrestling, being with friends and family, and making his own rules. His favorite band, was Strung Out, and two of the people he loved the most were his father and his Uncle Mike.
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Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth B. Elwell
33
Holland
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Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
7-17-2011
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Spc. Louis R. Fastuca
24
West Chester
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Abdulhamid Kalay, Afghanistan
7-5-2010
Fastuca received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among other awards. He was also posthumously promoted to sergeant. "The way he is always described … he was fatherly — committed to mentorship for new soldiers," Fellow soldiers described him as warm, humorous, and always willing to help out by doing an odd job. "He excelled in everything he did. He was a big guy and had a really big heart," "He had that traditional smile; he was one of the friendliest guys you'd ever meet."
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Staff Sgt. Sean M. Flannery
29
Wyomissing
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Spc. Camy Florexil
20
Philadelphia
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Capt. Erick M. Foster
29
Wexford
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1st Lt. Demetrius M. Frison
26
Lancaster
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Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison
27
New Bethlehem
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Helmand Province Afghanistan
6-6-2011
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Staff Sgt. Brian P. Hause
29
Stoystown
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Capt. Wesley J. Hinkley
36
Carlisle
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Spc. Michael A. Hook
25
Altoona
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Staff Sgt.
Matthew N. Ingham
25
Altoona
| Matthew was a 2002 graduate of Altoona Area High School and the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2002 and served honorably for seven years, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.
Matt was a loving husband, son, brother, grandson and friend. Besides being a dedicated Marine, his passions included motocross, mountain biking and many other outdoor recreational activities. You name it, he did it, and he excelled at it!
Matt truly lived his life in the moment and lived each day as if it would be his last. He pushed his mind, body and spirit to the maximum to meet and surpass his own personal goals and aspirations. He believed in always striving to succeed at a higher level and never acknowledged a limit beyond which he could not achieve. He was a natural-born leader, able to lead by example, as well as foster personal growth in others. He lived daringly, loved unconditionally and learned constantly.
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Pfc. David Jefferson
23
Philadelphia
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Kandahar, Afghanistan
7-2-2010
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| Sgt. Nathan P. Kennedy
24
Claysville
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Pfc. John F. Kihm
19
Philadelphia
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Spc. Jarrid L. King
20
Erie
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Chief Petty Officer
Michael E. Koch
29
State College
| Born on Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb., where his father was stationed, Koch moved frequently as a child because of his father's assignments. He graduated from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret in 1996.
For the next year and a half, Koch attended Penn State University. He left to enlist in the Navy in 1998 and entered SEAL training in 1999. Joining the elite Special Forces unit was always his goal, said his father, Donald Koch.
"That's why he went into the Navy -- to try out for the SEALs," Koch said. "He was very humble and quiet but fabulous at what he did."
During his career, Koch was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal and, three times, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. His father said Koch will be receiving posthumously a second Bronze Star with Valor.
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Sgt. Eward W. Kochler
47
Lebon
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Ghazni Provnce, Afghanistan
7-18-2011
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Spc. Dale J. Kridlo
33
Hughestown
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Pfc. Christopher W. Lotter
20
Chester Heights
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Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth
24
Pittsburgh
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Staff Sgt.
Edward D. Mills Jr.
29
New Castle
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Sgt. Brian K. Mowery
49
Halifax
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Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
7-18-2011
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Capt. Nathan R. Raudenbush
25
Pennsylvania
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Spc. Jesse D. Reed
26
Orefield
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Spc. Luke S. Runyan
21
Spring Grove
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Staff Sgt. Justin E. Schmalstieg
28
Pittsburgh
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Sgt. Derek L. Shanfield
22
Hastings
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Sgt. Robert C. Sisson Jr.
29
Aliquippa
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Sgt. Eric W. Slebodnik
21
Greenfield Township
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Chief Warrent Officer
Michael Slebodnik
39
Gibsonia
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Staff Sgt. Marc J. Small
29
Collegeville
| Small graduated in 1997 from Methacton High School in Worcester Township. He enlisted in December 2004 and was with the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team, Company B, First Battalion, Third Special Forces Group (Airborne).
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Staff Sgt.
Glen H. Stivison, Jr.
34
Blairsville
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Pfc. Brandon M. Styer
19
Lancaster
| Brandon Styer was always a funny, outgoing kid. While going to Conestoga Valley High School. At CV, Styer played right field for the baseball team and wrestled.
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Staff Sgt. Richard J. Tieman
28
Waynesboro
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Cpl. Eric M. Torbert Jr.
25
Lancaster
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Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Tully
33
Falls Creek
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Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen
30
Erie
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Ghazin Province, Afghanistan
7-18-11
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Sgt. Timothy R. Van Orman
24
Port Matilda
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Spc. Anthony Vargas
27
Reading
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Aviation Boatswain Mate
Third Class Petty Officer
Daniel R. Verbeke
25
Exton
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Staff Sgt. William D. Vile
27
Philadelphia
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Spc. Ross E. Vogel, III
27
Red Lion
| He was home-schooled, was a football and hockey fan. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, and got to watch the Penguins win the Stanley Cup on television this summer with his mother, Mary Wiley. He also liked cars and playing the drums. He is survived by his wife, Kristen, and two sons, 12-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Ross IV.
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Staff Sgt. Dave J. Weigle
29
Philadelphia
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Staff Sgt. David A. Wieger
28
North Huntingdon
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