US troops killed in Afghanistan and Africa, 1st Add, US

Pagan's fiancee, Diana Soriano, was also serving in Afghanistan. She planned to return there after his memorial to finish their mission.

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Marine Lance Cpl. Adam D. Peak

Adam Peak and his younger brother, Sean, joined the Marines the same week and were both assigned to Camp Lejeune. They served together in Iraq, but couldn't be in the same place in Afghanistan.

They wanted to be together to protect each other, and the super-close brothers even looked nearly identical in their uniforms, said Robyn Peak, Sean's wife.

"They were night and day when it comes to their personalities, but they would do absolutely anything for each other," Robyn Peak said.

Now, Sean Peak will be accompanying his 25-year-old brother's remains home. Adam Peak was killed by a roadside bomb Feb. 21 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Marine from Florence, Ky., graduated from Thomas More College in 2006.

Sara Peak, 28, remembered her younger brother as very outgoing, but also quite private.

"He wouldn't let you know his deep feelings, but he always had a line for you," she said.

Richard Shuey, a business administration professor at Thomas More, said Peak "was one of those really nice, clean-cut northern Kentucky kids, always polite and interested in doing well and obviously a true patriot."

Peak also is survived by his parents, Bruce and Diana Peak, and sister, Angela Peak, 14.

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Marine Lance Cpl. Noah M. Pier

Noah Pier loved the outdoors and American Freestyle Martial Arts, earning a black belt.

He also loved being a Marine, his family said. It was a love that had been developing since he was a boy, when he'd play "war" in the backyard. Pier would pretend to be the drill sergeant and make his five younger brothers run through an obstacle course.

"But he believed in what he was fighting for," said his father, Mark. "He was fighting for our freedom and he believed in that."

Pier, 25, of Charlotte, N.C., was killed Feb. 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

The oldest of 10 children, Pier was home-schooled and took some courses at Central Piedmont Community College, said his mother, Vikki Pier. He also worked for a few years.

"He wanted to make sure he went in (to the Marines) for the right reasons," she said.

Pier, who also had served a tour in Iraq, had been in Afghanistan since November. He was supposed to be home this summer to marry his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Black.

"Noah was such a happy man and loved to laugh," his family said in a statement.

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Army Sgt. Adam J. Ray

Adam Ray wore his dedication to his family on his chest — he had a four-leaf clover tattooed there, which represented his parents and four siblings.

He also had a light-hearted side. The native of Louisville, Ky., knew most of his family rooted for the University of Louisville. He loved to get under their skin by pretending to be a fan of the school's in-state rival, the University of Kentucky, said his mother, Donna Ray.

For all his kidding, though, he never hesitated to run out and buy chocolate ice cream when his pregnant sister was having cravings. He handed out candy to children and took care of stray dogs in Afghanistan.

"He didn't believe in hurting anyone," Donna Ray said. "He was always protecting people."

Adam Ray, 23, of Louisville, died Feb. 9 after he was wounded by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. He was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

Ray enlisted in April 2005, though this was his first combat deployment. He had also served in South Korea.

His older sister, Amanda, wrote a letter that was read during Ray's funeral. She wrote that having him as a brother was a "bragging right."

Ray also is survived by his father, Jim; sister Betsy; brothers Zachary and Seth; and nephew, Christopher.

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Army Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners

John Reiners loved to take people for white-knuckled rides through mud flats in the beat-up, lime-green Chevy Suburban his sister remembered as "that stupid 'Spearmint Hearse.'"

That was Reiners' nickname for the truck with the raised suspension, which he hoped to use to take some of his buddies on a "mudventure" when they returned to the U.S. from Afghanistan.

"I love you, and I hope to meet you soon for that big mudventure in the sky," Spc. Keith Hughes wrote in a letter read at Reiners' funeral. "Who knows? There may be bogging in heaven."

Reiners, 24, of Lakeland, Fla., was killed by a bomb Feb. 13 in Zhari province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Carson and had previously served two tours in Iraq.

The soldier also was remembered as an avid Florida Gators fan who was dedicated to his wife, Casey, and son, Lex.

"I really believe he is the best father and the best husband ever," Casey Reiners said at his funeral. "God used us each to make the other a better person."

John Weck recalled being injured in December 2007 while serving with Reiners. He said all he wanted was for Reiners to be there with him.

"He held my hand while I dealt with the worst pain of my life," Weck said. "It was one hell of a ride. I'll never forget it."

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Army Staff Sgt. William S. Ricketts

William "Seth" Ricketts was supposed to be home in time for the birth of his third child this summer. He and his wife weren't yet sure if it was a boy or girl, so for now, his unborn baby was known simply as "Peanut."

"The thing he loved most was being with his wife and children," said Ricketts' father, Bill Ricketts. Seth Ricketts and his wife, Rosie, also had two boys — 3-year-old Aiden and 10-month-old Cullen.

Ricketts, 27, of Glen, Miss., was killed in a battle with insurgents Feb. 27 near Bala Murghab, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg and graduated from Alcorn Central High School. He was on his fifth overseas deployment, previously having served two tours each in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bill Ricketts said his son also enjoyed hunting and camping, but had wanted to be in the military since he was 9. The final straw came when terrorists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001.

"On Sept. 12 he signed up," Bill Ricketts said. "He came home and said he was going to protect his country and to keep that kind of stuff from happening to his family. He would rather take the fight to their soil."

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Army Pfc. JR Salvacion

J.R. Salvacion, the father of a young child, was nearly halfway through his 12-month deployment to Afghanistan when he wrote on his Facebook page, "I really miss my family especially my son!!!!!"

The Facebook update came just days before Christmas. Salvacion, 27, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was killed roughly two months later on Feb. 21 in Senjaray, west of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The Defense Department said he was mortally wounded when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was bsed at Fort Carson.

"J.R. served our nation proudly and he represented all the people of Hawai'i with honor and distinction," said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona in a written statement. "We must always honor our service men and women who risk their lives every day to protect the liberty and freedom we have as American citizens."

Salvacion joined the Army on Feb. 4, 2009. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a campaign star, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.

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Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller

When Matthew Sluss-Tiller brought his daughter home from the hospital, he made sure to pay a visit to his superior, Chris Hochstetler.

Hochstetler also was one of Sluss-Tiller's close friends and recalled that day fondly in a message he wrote in an online message board.

"'Isn't she perfect Sergeant Major?'" Sluss-Tiller asked.

"I know that today Melissa woke up without her Soulmate, Hannah without her Daddy, Jane without her son, the world minus one true Warrior and I without my dear friend," Hochstetler wrote.

Sluss-Tiller, 35, of Callettsburg, Ky., was killed Feb. 3 in Timagara, Pakistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg and graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1993.

Brenda Thornbury, an art teacher at the school, recalled that Sluss-Tiller would visit her classroom when he stopped by to see his mother, who also taught there.

She said he was a "wonderful, well-mannered and respectful" man who was "always eager to do whatever he needed to do to serve his country."

His friend, Jame Mullinaux, served alongside Sluss-Tiller in his civil affairs division. Mullinaux remembered a man who always strived to do his best and loved being a soldier.

"If you knew Matt, you knew that smile," he said.

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Army Staff Sgt. Mark A. Stets

Mark Stets Jr. and his uncle planned to ride their Harley-Davidson motorcycles together when the 39-year-old soldier returned from Pakistan. After his family and the military, Stets loved his Harley the most, relatives said.

"We would see him occasionally," said his uncle Eric Stets, of West Seneca, N.Y. "I started to develop a relationship with him lately because we're both motorcycle enthusiasts."

Stets and two other soldiers were killed Feb. 3 in Timagara, Pakistan, by a roadside bomb. The military said the three were on their way to a ceremony marking the reopening of a girls school rebuilt with U.S. aid money. Three girls were also killed in the blast.

"We know that what he was doing was important," said Stets' father, Mark Stets. "And we know he was good at it. We're taking comfort in that right now."

Stets grew up in Virginia Beach, Va., joined the Navy after graduating from Cox High School in 1989 and served in the Persian Gulf War. In 1995, he enlisted in the Army and became a psychological operations specialist in 2004.

Other survivors include his mother, Nancy Stets; his wife, Nina; and three daughters, Jessica, December and Rachael.

Stets was based at Fort Bragg. He and his family made their home in Fayetteville, N.C.

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Marine Cpl. Gregory S. Stultz

Among friends, Gregory Stultz was a leader who liked people and sought to earn their respect, whether it was that of a brother in arms, a child at the summer day camp where he'd worked or someone he met while doing church ministry.

Marine Cpl. Tobias Johnston said he looked up to his best friend.

"Greg was my strength, my rock, my shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen to, my muscle at times, my partner in crime and, in different occurrences, my ATM," Johnston said.

Stultz also earned the respect of his younger brother Zach, who told the crowd at a memorial that Stultz taught him to live wholeheartedly. He said Stultz would have wanted to thank them for their support.

The 22-year-old soldier from Brazil, Ind., died Feb. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Okinawa, Japan.

He enlisted in the Marines in 2007, a year after graduating from Northview High School, where he was a captain of the wrestling team and played football as a linebacker. He'd also attended Rend Lake Junior College.

"He had love for everyone," Johnston said. "Everyone he came into contact with."

Survivors include his parents and six siblings.

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Marine Cpl. Jacob H. Turbett

Jacob Turbett — Jake, friends called him — was a hardworking family guy who hoped to get into flying and loved learning about airplanes, playing video games and squirrel hunting.

The California native also had a thing for popcorn, so much so that someone tucked a bag of it into the casket at his memorial, along with the notes hailing him as a hero.

The 21-year-old combat engineer from Canton, Mich., died Feb. 13 during fighting in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Sheila Turbett said her son was killed by a gunshot. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune and had completed tours in Bangladesh and Iraq.

His mother said he came from a military family that included his sister, Jaime, who'd enlisted in the Navy and started boot camp 10 days before his death.

He had long wanted to be a Marine, Sheila Turbett said, and he'd been in the Civil Air Patrol at Canton High School before graduating in 2007.

"He was a quiet boy, kind of, but he was a jokester," she said. "He'd keep egging you on. He wouldn't stop. He liked to see you laugh."

Survivors include his wife, Crystal; father, Richard; and a stepbrother, Joseph Marsh.

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Marine Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward

Eric Ward's family remembers that he was good at sports, making people laugh and thinking of others.

As a student at Snoqualmie Valley Public Schools in Washington state, the 19-year-old Marine bought extra sets of school supplies for students less fortunate than him, his father said. And once, he got to school early and put a Hershey's Kiss on each of his classmates' desks before they arrived, said his mother, Monica McNeal.

While in Afghanistan, Ward reassured her that he was OK and told her about children who were eager to receive pens and pencils from the U.S military members.

"He was just ready to serve," his mother said. "And he was a really giving person."

Ward, of Redmond, Wash., died Feb. 21 in Helmand province while supporting combat operations. A fourth generation Marine, Ward was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

Ward joined the Marines in July 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in October.

"He was a natural leader," said Steven Ward, 48, the Marine's father. "He was proud to serve. He was proud for his family. He was strong."

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Army Capt. Daniel Whitten

Daniel Whitten was "the kind of young man who you hoped your own kids would grow up to represent," according to an official at his Iowa high school.

"He was the kid who was always doing the right thing," Johnston High School associate principal Jerry Stratton said. "He always stood by his values, and was true to his family and himself."

The 28-year-old from Grimes, Iowa, died of wounds from an explosive on Feb. 2 in Zabul province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg and had previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He graduated in 1999 from Johnston High, where he played football and worked on the student newspaper. He earned his degree with a double major in mathematics and English at West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2004.

The head of the academy's English and philosophy department, Army Col. Rick Kerin, said faculty members remembered Whitten as "a bright and thoughtful student, a most personable cadet."

Survivors include his wife, Starr; parents, Jill Whitten of Iowa and Dan Whitten of Florida; and his sister, fellow Army Capt. Sarah Whitten, who also serves in Afghanistan.

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Army Sgt. Jeremiah T. Wittman

When he was a boy, Jeremiah Wittman rode dirt bikes in the tree-lined hills of southern Montana.

Even when temperatures fell below zero, he took his bike south of Billings, where he grew up, to ride with his father and sisters.

Before he died, Wittman — described by one sister as a family man with a "huge heart" — asked that his ashes be scattered in the hills where he had loved to play.

"No matter what he could always make you laugh or smile," said sister Charity Wittman.

Wittman, 26, died Feb. 13 of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked in Zhari province. He assigned to Fort Carson.

In 2004, he enlisted in the Army. He earned his high school diploma from Trapper Creek High in Darby, Mont., where he also spent time growing up.

His father, Robert Wittman, said his son also served in Iraq, and when he returned from that war he had ulcers. On this latest tour, which began last spring, Wittman worried about his chances of returning home. Days before his death, he sent a text message to his sister, saying, "this is your bro and I love you."

Survivors include Wittman's two daughters; his wife, Karen; father; mother, Cynthia Church; and sisters Charity and Jenell.

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Marine Lance Cpl. Alejandro J. Yazzie

Alejandro J. Yazzie's mother remembers her son, a member of the Navajo Nation, used to play at her feet in their family's hogan while she wove rugs.

Eva Yazzie said that in her son's childhood years, he also dreamed about becoming a Marine, and he pretended he and his brothers and sisters were in the military as they played together.

"I used to say, 'Why do you want to join the Marines?' He says, 'Mom, that's going to be my goal. I want people to see me in that black uniform,'" Eva Yazzie said.

Last summer, the 23-year-old of Rock Point, Ariz., enlisted in the Marines and was assigned to Camp Pendleton. He died Feb. 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

"I'm a proud mom ... but I'm going to miss my baby," Eva Yazzie told KPNX-TV in Phoenix after her son was killed.

A photo of Yazzie in his family's home shows him wearing rodeo gear in front of an American flag. He was a bull rider and also loved riding and breaking horses, said his stepfather, Pete Begay.

Relatives nicknamed him "Tough" because he was fearless — fearless but also well-liked, according to his mother.

"He gets along with anybody and he likes to joke around," she said.

Survivors include his parents, three brothers, sister, grandmother, and wife, who is expecting a baby.

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