Memorial Letters

Goodbye to an American Hero

Letter to another Oregon Soldier's Mother

Oregon's Most Honorable

Please visit the Governor's website to view a current list of Oregon's fallen soldiers.

The Coalition of Troop Support Honors Our Fallen Heros

(This list of heros will updated as soon as possible.)

2003

Army Reserve Spc. Brandon S. Tobler - 19
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 671st Engineer Brigade, OANG
Based: Portland, Oregon
Died: March 22, 2003
Location: Southern Iraq

Army Sgt. Donald Walters - 33
From: Salem, Oregon
Unit: 507th Maintenance Company
Based: Fort Bliss, Texas
Died: March 23, 2003
Location: Nasiriyah, Iraq

Marine Capt. Aaron J. Contreras - 31
From: Sherwood, Oregon
Unit: HMLA-169, Marine Aircraft Group-39
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: March 30, 2003
Location: Southern Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Robert A. Stever - 36
From: Pendleton, Oregon
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 15th Inf. Regiment, 3rd Inf. Division
Based: Fort Stewart, Georgia
Died: April 8, 2003
Location: Iraq

Marine Cpl. Travis J. Bradachnall - 21
From: Multnomah County, Oregon
Unit: Combat Service Support Group 11
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: July 2, 2003
Location: Karbala, Iraq

Army Chief Warrant Officer Erik Kesterson - 29
From: Independence, Oregon
Unit: 9/101 Aviation, 101st Airborne Division
Based: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Died: November 15, 2003
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Spc. Joseph M. Blickenstaff - 23
From: Corvallis, Oregon
Unit: 1/23rd Inf., 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 8, 2003
Location: Ad Duluiyah, Iraq

Army Spc. Christopher J. Rivera Wesley - 26
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 1/23rd Inf., 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 8, 2003
Location: Ad Duluiyah, Iraq

Army Spc. Nathan W. Nakis - 19
From: Corvallis, Oregon
Unit: 52nd Engineer Battalion (Heavy), OANG
Based: Albany, Oregon
Died: December 16, 2003
Location: Mosul, Iraq

2004

Army Sgt. Travis A. Moothart - 23
From: Brownsville, Oregon
Unit: Co. B, 1st Engineer Bat., 1st Brigade, 1st Inf. Division
Based: Fort Riley, Kansas
Died: January 27, 2004
Location: Khalidiyah, Iraq

Army Pfc. William C. Ramirez - 19
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Based: Fort Polk, Louisiana
Died: February 11, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Spc. Philip G. Rogers - 23
From: Gresham, Oregon
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: April 4, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Gary F. VanLeuven - 20
From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Twentynine Palms, California
Died: April 17, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Army Spc. Chase R. Whitham - 21
From: Eugene, Oregon
Unit: 296th For. Supp., 3rd Brigade, 2nd Inf. Div. (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: May 8, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Bob W. Roberts - 30
From: Newport, Oregon
Unit: 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: May 17, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Army Sgt. Justin L. Eyerly - 23
From: Salem, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Died: June 4, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Spc. Justin W. Linden - 22
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Died: June 4, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army 1st Lt. Erik. S. McCrae - 25
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Died: June 4, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Spc. Eric S. McKinley - 24
From: Corvallis, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Corvallis, Oregon
Died: June 13, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. James B. Huston, Jr. - 22
From: Hermiston, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: July 2, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Kelly - 21
From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Unit: 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: July 16, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Army Pfc. Ken W. Leisten - 20
From: Cornelius, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Corvallis, Oregon
Died: July 28, 2004
Location: Taji, Iraq

Army Spc. Benjamin W. Isenberg - 27
From: Sheridan, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Corvallis, Oregon
Died: September 13, 2004
Location: Taji, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. David J. Weisenburg - 26
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Corvallis, Oregon
Died: September 13, 2004
Location: Taji, Iraq

Army Spc. David W. Johnson - 37
From: Portland, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, OANG
Based: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Died: September 25, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Sergent David A. Mitts - 24
From: Hammond, Oregon
Unit: 3/21st Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 4, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Sergent Damien Thai Ficek - 26
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Unit: 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, WANG
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 30, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

2005

Army Sgt. First Class Mark C. Warren - 44
From: LaGrande, Oregon
3d Battalion, 116th Armor Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team
Based: LaGrande, Oregon
Died: Jan. 31, 2005
Location: Kirkuk Airbase, Iraq

Army Sgt. Adam J. Plumondore- 22
From: Gresham, Oregon
Unit: 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, US Army
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: February 16, 2005
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Sgt. Jacob M. Simpson - 24
From: Ashland, Oregon
Unit: 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Based: Ashland, Oregon
Died: May 16, 2005
Location: Tel Afar, Iraq

Sgt. John B. Ogburn III - 45
From: Fruitland, Oregon
Unit: A co. 3rd Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Based: Fruitland, Oregon
Died: May 22, 2005
Location: Kirkurk, Iraq

1st Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill - 39
From: Folsom, California
Unit: 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th FSSG
Based: Eugene, Oregon
Died: May 28, 2005
Location: Haqlaniyah, Iraq

Navy Hospitalman Aaron A. Kent - 28
From: Portland, Oregon
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Based: Camp Lejeune, NC
Died: April 23, 2005
Location: Fallujah, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin D. Davis - 40
From: Lebannon, Oregon
G Troop, 82nd Cavalry, Oregon Army National Guard
Based: Redmond, OR
Died: April 8, 2005
Location: Balad, Iraq

Washington - Iraq - Iraqi Freedom

2003

Marine Lance Cpl. Cedric E. Bruns - 22
From: Vancouver, Washington
Unit: 6th Engineer Support Battalion
Based: Eugene, Oregon
Died: May 9, 2003
Location: Kuwait

Army Spc. Justin W. Hebert - 20
From: Arlington, Washington
Unit: 319th Field Artillery, 173rd Airborne
Based: Camp Ederle, Italy
Died: August 1, 2003
Location: Kirkuk, Iraq

Army Pfc. Duane E. Longstreth - 19
From: Tacoma, Washington
Unit: Company B, 307th Engineer Battalion
Based: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Died: August 7, 2003
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army 2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Colgan - 30
From: Kent, Washington
Unit: 2/3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division
Based: Giessen, Germany
Died: November 1, 2003
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Spc. Robert T. Benson - 20
From: Spokane, Washington
Unit: Co. A, 1/35th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division
Based: Smith Barracks, Germany
Died: November 4, 2003
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Steven H. Bridges - 33
From: Tracy, California
Unit: 1/23rd Inf. Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Inf. Division
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 8, 2003
Location: Ad Duluiyah, Iraq

Army Sgt. Curt E. Jordan, Jr. - 25
From: Greenacres, Washington
Unit: 14th Combat Eng. Bat., 555th Combat Engineer Group
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 28, 2003
Location: Bayji, Iraq

2004

Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda - 29
From: Bremerton, Washington
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: January 25, 2004
Location: Tigris River near Mosul, Iraq

Army First Lieutenant Michael R. Adams - 24
From: Seattle, Washington
Unit: 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Based: Fort Carson, Colorado
Died: March 16, 2004
Location: Al Asad, Iraq

Army Spc. Jacob R. Herring - 21
From: Kirkland, Washington
Unit: 5/20th Inf., 3rd Brigade, 2nd Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: April 28, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Marine Pfc. Cody S. Calavan - 19
From: Lake Stevens, Washington
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: May 29, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Marine Staff Sgt. Marvin Best - 33
From: Prosser, Washington
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Twentynine Palms, California
Died: June 20, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Kane M. Funke - 20
From: Vancouver, Washington
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Twentynine Palms, California
Died: August 13, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Marine Sgt. Jason Cook - 25
From: Okanogan, Washington
Unit: 1st Light Armored Recon. Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: August 21, 2004
Location: Anbar Province, Iraq

Army Sgt. Jacob H. Demand - 29
From: Palouse, Washington
Unit: 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: September 14, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Michael L. Burbank - 34
From: Bremerton, Washington
Unit: 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: October 11, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Marine Staff Sgt. David Ries - 29
From: Vancouver, Washington
Unit: 1st Force Service Support Group
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: November 8, 2004
Location: Fallujah, Iraq

Army Major Horst Gerhard "Gary" Moore - 38
From: San Antonio, Texas
Unit: 1/24th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washinton
Died: November 9, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Marine Lance Cpl. Nathan Wood - 19
From: Kirkland, Washington
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Based: Camp Pendleton, California
Died: November 9, 2004
Location: Fallujah, Iraq

Air Force Master Sgt. Steven T. Auchman - 37
From: Waterloo, New York
Unit: 5th Air Support Operations Squadron
Based: Fort Lewis/McChord AFB, Washington
Died: November 9, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Spc. Thomas K. Doerflinger - 20
From: Silver Spring, Maryland
Unit: 1/24th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: November 11, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Spc. Blain Ebert - 22
From: Washtucna, Washington
Unit: 4/5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Based: Fort Hood, Texas
Died: November 22, 2004
Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Salamo J. Tuialuuluu - 23
From: Pago Pago, American Samoa
Unit: 3/21st Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washinton
Died: December 4, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Eggers - 27
From: Yakima, Washington
Unit: 1st Battalion, 506th Inf. Regiment, 2nd Inf. Division
Based: Camp Greaves, Korea
Died: December 5, 2004
Location: Habbaniyah, Iraq

Army Pfc. Andrew M. Ward - 25
From: Kirkland,Washington
Unit: 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division
Based: Camp Howze, Korea
Died: December 5, 2004
Location: Ramadi, Iraq

Army Capt. William W. Jacobsen, Jr. - 31
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Unit: 1/24th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Pfc. Lionel Ayro - 22
From: Jeanerette, Louisiana
Unit: 73rd Engineer, 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Spc. Jonathan Castro - 21
From: Corona, California
Unit: 73rd Engineer, 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Robert S. Johnson - 23
From: Castro Valley, California
Unit: 1/24th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Staff Sgt. Julian S. Melo - 47
From: Brooklyn, New York
Unit: 1/5th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen - 33
From: Bluefield, West Virginia
Unit: 2/14th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 21, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army Pfc. Oscar Sanchez - 19
From: Modesto, California
Unit: 1/24th Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: December 29, 2004
Location: Mosul, Iraq

2005

Army Pvt Cory R. Depew - 21
From: Beech Grove, Indiana
Unit: 2/14th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: January 4, 2005
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army PFC Curtis L. Wooten III - 20
From: Spanaway, Washington
Unit: 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 1st Inf. Division
Based: Schweinfurt, Germany
Died: January 4, 2005
Location: Balad, Iraq

Army SSG Juan M. Solorio - 32
From: Dallas, Texas
Unit: 3/21st Inf., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, WA
Died: March 4, 2005
Location: Mosul, Iraq

Army SSG Donald D. Griffith, Jr. - 29
From: Mechanicsville, Iowa
Unit: 2/14th Cav., 1st Brigade, 25th Inf. Division (Stryker)
Based: Fort Lewis, WA
Died: March 11, 2005
Location: Tal Afar, Iraq

Marine LCpl Shane C. Swanberg - 24
From: Kirkland, Washington
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
Based: Twentynine Palms, California
Died: September 15, 2005
Location: Camp Ramadi, Iraq

Army WO Adrian B. Stump - 22
From: Pendleton, Oregon
Unit: 113th Aviation Regiment
Based: Pendleton, Oregon
Died: Unconfirmed Date, 2005
Location: Unconfirmed Location in OIF/OEF

Army Sgt Tane T. Baum - 30
From: Pendleton, Oregon
Unit: 113th Aviation Regiment
Based: Pendleton, Oregon
Died: Unconfirmed Date, 2005
Location: Unconfirmed Location in OIF/OEF

Oregon - Afghanistan - Enduring Freedom

Marine Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Bertrand - 23
From: Coos Bay, Oregon
Unit: Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 352
Based: Miramar, California
Died: January 9, 2002
Location: Pakistan

Army Pfc. Joseph A. Jeffries - 21
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Unit: 320th Psychological Operations Company
Based: Army Reserve, Portland, Oregon
Died: May 29, 2004
Location: Kandahar, Afghanistan

Washington - Afghanistan - Enduring Freedom

Marine Sgt. Nathan P. Hays - 21
From: Lincoln, Washington
Unit: Marine Aerial Transport Refueler Squadron 352
Based: Miramar, California
Died: January 9, 2002
Location: Pakistan

Army Spc. Thomas F. Allison - 22
From: Roy, Washington
Unit: E Co, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
Based: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Died: February 21, 2002
Location: Southern Philippines

Air Force Staff Sgt. Juan M. Ridout - 36
From: Maple Tree, Washington
Unit: 320th Special Tactics Squadron
Based: Kadena Air Base, Japan
Died: February 21, 2002
Location: Southern Philippines

Army Sgt. Jay A. Blessing - 23
From: Tacoma, Washington
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: November 14, 2003
Location: Asadabad, Afghanistan

Army Spc. Harley D.R. Miller - 21
From: Spokane, Washington
Unit: 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Inf. Division
Based: Schofield Barracks, Honolulu
Died: November 27, 2004
Location: Bamian, Afghanistan

Army Sgt. Jeremy R. Wright - 31
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group
Based: Fort Lewis, Washington
Died: January 03, 2005
Location: Asadabad, Afghanistan