Remembering Lance Cpl. Roger Hager and MSgt John Hayes.

sad news from Afghanistan

July 11th, 2009, 11:16 am · Post a Comment · posted by Amanda Hickey

Press release

Lance Cpl. Roger Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, N.C. and Master Sgt. John Hayes 36, of Middleburg Fla. died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Hager was a small arms repairman assigned to Company A, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2007 and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in March 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April.

Hager’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Hager’s current duty station was Camp Lejeune, N.C. and his formal military training included Recruit Training, Marine Combat Training and Small Arms Repair School.

Master Sgt. Hayes was the operations chief for Company A, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He joined the Marine Corps July 1991 and was promoted to the rank of master sergeant in September 2008.

Hayes deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April 2009. His previous deployments included Kosovo and Albania in 1998, Kuwait in 1991 and Iraq in 2003 and 2007.

His awards include two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals (one with combat distinguishing device), three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Navy Unit Commendation, two Navy Meritorious Unit Citations, five Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a Southwest Asia Service Medal, two Kosovo Campaign medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Armed Forces Service Medal, two Humanitarian Service Medals, six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a Marine Security Guard Ribbon, two NATO Medals, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Hayes’ current duty station was Camp Lejeune, N.C. and some of his formal military training included Recruit Training, School of Infantry, U.S. Army Airborne School, Marine Combat Dive School, Marine Scout Sniper School, U.S. Army Ranger School and Marine Security Guard School.

Hayes is survived by his wife, two daughters and a s