Fallen Soldiers

Killed in action in Samarra. Previously wounded on February 8, 2004 — returned to duty. Awarded two Purple Hearts, the second posthumously. One of the first Stryker soldiers killed in combat.

Killed in action during the first deployment. Additional biographical details are being gathered from unit veterans and official records.

Killed in action during the first deployment. Additional biographical details are being gathered from unit veterans and official records.

Born January 9, 1985 in Arizona. Entered the Army on September 15, 2004 and trained as an 11C Mortarman. Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry on February 23, 2005 as a Mortar Assistant Gunner. On September 25, 2006, CPL Mellen was killed by small arms fire while on mounted patrol in western Mosul — one of the battalion's first casualties of the second deployment. He was 21 years old. Survived by his wife Amber, his parents Regina and Casey, his sister Michelle, and his nephew Jason. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born January 25, 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona. Inspired to enlist by his stepfather Larry Antone, a Vietnam-era Army Ranger, CPL Farris entered the Army at Fort Benning two months after high school graduation and completed training as an Infantryman. Assigned to Fort Lewis in November 2004, he joined Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry. Due to his constant drive to excel, he volunteered for and was selected to the Battalion Scout Platoon, where he served as Driver, Vehicle Commander, Scout Observer, and Senior Scout Observer. He was named Soldier of the Quarter. On December 3, 2006, CPL Farris was killed when his Stryker was struck by an IED while on patrol outside Taji. He was 20 years old. Survived by his son Kaiden, his mother Elizabeth Antone, stepfather Larry Antone, brother Thomas Antone, and Kaiden's mother Meshelle Tritt. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.

Born June 23, 1985 in Crooksville, Ohio. Entered the Army on August 9, 2005 and trained as an 11B Infantryman. Assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry on February 2, 2006 as a Stryker driver. On March 14, 2007, CPL Chevalier was killed while on patrol when his Stryker vehicle struck an IED in western Baqubah. He was 21 years old. Survived by his daughter Taylor Marie, his mother June Sager, and his father Ricky. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born June 9, 1981 in Billings, Montana. Entered the Army on October 2, 2001 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman. Assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, SSG Williams served honorably in the positions of Stryker Driver, Battalion Scout, Team Leader, and Squad Leader across two combat deployments to Iraq. He served with honor and distinction, significantly contributing to his unit's success. On April 8, 2007, SSG Williams was killed while on dismounted patrol by precision small arms fire in Baqubah. He was 25 years old. Survived by his wife Sonya and daughter Amaya of Santa Rosa, California; his mother Janyce Leone of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and his father Herbert Williams Jr. of Santa Rosa, California. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.

Born July 11, 1983 in Calabria, Italy. Entered the Army on March 21, 2003 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. SSG Romeo served in the positions of Stryker Driver, Team Leader, and Squad Leader across two combat deployments to Iraq, including the first Stryker deployment in 2003–2004. He served with great distinction during both peacetime and war. On May 6, 2007, SSG Romeo was killed when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. He was 23 years old. Survived by his mother Saveria Romeo and his father Antonio Romeo. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.

Born September 29, 1981 in Kentucky. Entered the Army on April 2, 2003 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. SGT Harkins served in the positions of Automatic Rifleman and Team Leader across two combat deployments to Iraq. On May 6, 2007, SGT Harkins was killed when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. He was 25 years old. Survived by his wife Emily Harkins, his mother Nancy Fritchey, his father Robert Harkins, and his stepfather Allen Fritchey. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Born December 2, 1978 in California. Entered the Army on December 27, 2001 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. SGT Lewis served in the positions of Rifleman, Javelin Gunner, Platoon RTO, and Assistant Gunner. At 28, he was the oldest of the six soldiers killed on May 6. On that day, his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. Survived by his wife Brandy Lewis, his mother Gale Poindexter, and his father Larry Lewis. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born April 9, 1986 in Nebraska. Entered the Army on July 24, 2004 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. CPL Alexander served in the positions of Automatic Rifleman, Platoon RTO, and Stryker Vehicle Commander. He served with great distinction during both peacetime and war. On May 6, 2007, CPL Alexander was killed when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. He was 21 years old. Survived by his wife Kara Alexander, his mother Monica Alexander, and his father Melvin Alexander. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.

Born September 1, 1985 in Texas. Entered the Army on August 12, 2004 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. CPL Bradshaw served in the positions of Automatic Rifleman, Platoon RTO, Assistant Gunner, and M-240B Gunner. On May 6, 2007, CPL Bradshaw was killed when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. He was 21 years old. Survived by his mother Ingrid Lee and his father James Bradshaw. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge.

Born April 14, 1988 in Germany. Entered the Army on July 27, 2006 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, where he served as an Automatic Rifleman. At 19, he was the youngest of the six soldiers killed on May 6 — and had been in Iraq just over a month when he was killed. On May 6, 2007, CPL Pursel was killed when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. Survived by his mother Teresa Dutcher and his father Dean Pursel. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Born October 31, 1977 in Tennessee. Entered the Army on May 22, 2003 at Fort Benning as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to Fort Lewis as a member of Attack Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. SGT Vaughn served in the positions of Rifleman and Stryker Driver across two combat deployments to Iraq — the original 2003–2004 deployment and again beginning in 2006. On May 10, 2007, SGT Vaughn was killed while on patrol when his Stryker vehicle hit an IED in Baqubah. He was 29 years old. Survived by his mother Lalanda Vaughn and his father Walter Vaughn. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born October 5, 1978 in California. SGT Higgins had one of the most distinctive paths to the infantry of any soldier in the battalion. He entered the Army Reserve on March 7, 1996 as a Mortuary Affairs Specialist, then entered active duty on July 14, 1998 as a Fire Support Specialist. In October 2000 he volunteered for assignment with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, where he served as a radio operator and Forward Observer. In August 2002 he joined A Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry as a Platoon Forward Observer and Company Fire Support NCO — a role he held with distinction through one combat deployment to Afghanistan and two to Iraq. He was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. On June 5, 2007, SGT Higgins was killed while on patrol in Baqubah by small arms fire. He was 28 years old. Survived by his wife Rachel and his parents Cheryl and Jerry Higgins. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and German Parachutist Badge.

Born July 14, 1986 in Casper, Wyoming. Entered the Army on July 27, 2004 at Fort Benning and attended training as an Infantry Mortarman. After Basic Training, PV2 Miller was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, where he served admirably as a Stryker Vehicle Driver, Ammo Bearer, and Rifleman. Throughout his military career he was described as an outstanding soldier and a good friend to all around him. On June 9, 2007, PV2 Miller was killed while on patrol in Baqubah by small arms fire. He was 20 years old. Survived by his parents Susan and Robert Miller. Awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born October 1, 1979 in western Oregon. Grew up in Damascus, Oregon — the youngest of three sons born to Mardie and Lance Jensen. Graduated from Sam Barlow High School in 1998 and from West Point in 2002. Following graduation he attended Airborne School, IOBC, and Ranger School at Fort Benning before reporting to Fort Lewis as a member of the first Stryker Brigade to deploy to Iraq. He served as a rifle platoon leader during the 2003–2004 deployment. Upon returning, he married Stacia Melton of Portland, Oregon. He returned to Iraq in 2006 as the Mortar Platoon Leader for Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry — his second tour. On May 7, 2007, while attempting to reach a soldier pinned down by enemy fire during combat operations in Baqubah, CPT Jensen was shot in the neck by a sniper. The wound left him a quadriplegic, dependent on a ventilator to breathe. He remained at the VA Hospital in Seattle for four months. In keeping with an advance directive he had prepared before his first deployment, he and his family made the decision to remove life support on September 7, 2007. He was 27 years old. Before his death, CPT Jensen designated a $10,000 fund established in his name to help offset housing costs for other wounded soldiers' families traveling to the VA. Survived by his wife Stacia and his parents Mardie and Lance Jensen. He is buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

Age 25, of Burnsville, Minnesota. Killed in a vehicle rollover on the same day the battalion conducted Relief in Place / Transfer of Authority — effectively the first day of the deployment. Selge was on his second deployment with 5/20th Infantry. During the first (2006–07), he was shot twice and earned a Purple Heart. He had planned to leave the Army in 2012 and return to Minnesota. Survived by his wife Dellonamarie and two sons, Dallas and Austin. Buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Age 22, of Salisbury, Massachusetts. Killed in the same vehicle rollover as SSG Selge. The vehicle fell approximately 60 feet from a bridge. Shay graduated from Amesbury High School in 2005 and enlisted in November 2006. He authored a military blog called "Through Amber Lenses." Posthumously promoted to Sergeant. Awards include the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. Buried at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Amesbury, Massachusetts. The SGT Jordan M. Shay Memorial Foundation was established in his honor.

Born in 1986 in Newbern, Tennessee. Graduated from Dyer County High School in Newbern and attended the University of Tennessee-Martin, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He entered the Army on May 25, 2006, trained as a Mortarman at Fort Benning, and was assigned to Battle Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry on September 26, 2006 — the same brigade to which his future wife Brenna, a former active-duty soldier, was also assigned. They married on December 29, 2007 in Wilmot, South Dakota. By his second deployment, O'Bryan had been appointed Squad Leader in 4th Platoon. He had a one-year-old son, Turner, at the time of his death. Known as "Izzy," he was active in boxing, soccer, and baseball and was remembered by those who served with him for his dedication to his family and his sense of humor. He was 24 years old. On June 11, 2010, SGT O'Bryan was killed in Jalula, Iraq, approximately 80 miles north of Baghdad, when a suicide attacker detonated a vehicle-borne IED near their patrol. Also killed was CPL William Yauch. SGT O'Bryan is survived by his wife Brenna and son Turner. His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Army Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born December 24, 1986 in Harrison, Arkansas. Graduated from Batesville High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army in 2007. He married Mallory Rhodes in February 2008. Known as "Chris," he was assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He was remembered as an outgoing, friendly young man who enjoyed paintball, riding his motorcycle, and tinkering with his car. He was 23 years old and scheduled to come home in less than two months when he was killed. On June 11, 2010, CPL Yauch was killed alongside SGT Israel O'Bryan in Jalula, Iraq, when a suicide attacker detonated a vehicle-borne IED near their patrol. CPL Yauch is survived by his wife Mallory and his parents. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Born December 30, 1986 in Manhattan, Kansas, where his father was serving in the Army. He grew up in Dubuque and Rockford, Illinois, and his family settled in Cascade, Iowa in 2004 — the same year he graduated from Lincoln's Challenge Academy and enlisted in the Army, joining 5/20th Infantry at Fort Lewis after his training. Known to many as a "true cowboy," he was passionate about bull riding and the rodeo. Ristau deployed twice to Iraq with the battalion during the 2006–07 tour before deploying to Afghanistan in late December 2011 — having spent just two weeks with his newborn son before he left. Assigned to Battle Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry, SGT Ristau was killed on July 13, 2012 in Qalat, Zabul Province, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was 25 years old. On the day of his memorial, nearly 2,000 American flags lined the streets of Cascade in his honor. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and his two sons, Hyle and Bradley. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.

Born November 29, 1979 in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. He moved to Agana Heights, Guam with his family in 1986, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2001 as a cavalry scout. By 2005 he had made his way to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, assigned to Bronco Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment. During the 2006–07 deployment, Bronco Troop was task-organized under Task Force 5-20 Infantry for the Baqubah campaign, fighting in the same streets and palm groves as the Sykes' Regulars. SGT Uruo was killed on May 24, 2007, in Buhriz, after his unit encountered small arms fire. He was 27 years old. His peers, subordinates, and leaders spoke of him as a soldier who gained respect through his actions, not his words. "He was always there for us," said one of his soldiers. "I gunned beside him in Iraq. I was proud to fight with him." In August 2021, nearly fourteen years after his death, soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment traveled 9,114 kilometers to the Guam Veterans Cemetery to hold a formal tribute for SGT Uruo, saluting his grave and connecting with his family. He is survived by his parents, Isaoshy and Iosita, and his six siblings. He was awarded the Bronze Star.