Hero Stories for October 2009

Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 27, of Tucson, Arizona, died October 3, 2009, in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade, and indirect fires. Sgt. Gallegos was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. </d

Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, 25, of Manhattan, Kansas, died October 2, 2009, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. Sgt. Smith was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York. </d

Capt. Benjamin A. Sklaver, 32, of Medford, Massachusetts, died October 2, 2009, in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when he was attacked by a suicide bomber. Capt. Sklaver was assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, North Carolina. </d

Spc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, of Memphis, Tennessee, died October 2, 2009, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. Spc. Owens was assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. </d

Pfc. Alan H. Newton, Jr., 26, of Asheboro, North Carolina, died October 2, 2009, in Murcheh, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when he was attacked by a suicide bomber. Pfc. Newton was assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, North Carolina. </d

Sgt. Ryan C. Adams, 26 of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, died October 2, 2009, in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sgt. Adams was assigned to the 951st Engineer Company (Sapper), Wisconsin Army National Guard, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. </d

The deployments of about 1,600 U.S. troops in Iraq could be extended in the weeks following the national election slated to occur in January, Pentagon officials said Thursd

President Barack Obama is getting the ground-level perspective on Afghanistan, and soon will address the strategy and resources needed in the count

The new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles used in theater have proven extremely effective in protecting Soldiers of the 84th Engineer Battalion from deadly attacks by remaining extremists during their yearlong deployme

Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24 of Satellite Beach, Florida, died October 1, 2009, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Sgt. Sanchez was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield Georgia. </d