9 Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Paraglide

Nine Fort Bragg Soldiers were killed in the past two weeks during deployment operations in Afghanistan. The Soldiers, who were assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division, were killed in three separate incidents.

Three 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers were killed in southern Afghanistan July 13.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout and 1st Lt. Christopher Goeke, both of 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team and Staff Sgt. Sheldon Tate of the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th BCT were killed repelling insurgents during a complex attack on the Afghan National Civil Order Police Headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Sergeant Jesse Tilton of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 508th PIR, 4th BCT, was mortally wounded while treating a fellow paratrooper during the same attack in Kandahar.

Tilton died from his injuries Friday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Specialist Christopher Moon, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 508th PIR, 4th BCT was wounded by an improvised explosive device July 6, while conducting a combat patrol in the Arghandab River Valley.

Sergeant Zachary M. Fisher, 24, of Ballwin, Mo; Spc. Matthew J. Johnson, 21, of Maplewood, Minn.; Spc. Jesse D. Reed, 26, of Orefield, Penn; and Spc. Chase B. Stanley, 21, of Napa, Calif. died July 14, at Forward Operating Base Lagman (Zabul province, Afghanistan) of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their military vehicle with an improvised explosive device. The Soldiers were assigned to the 618th Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Bn., 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Abn. Corps.

“Staff Sergeant Christopher Stout was not just a chaplain assistant, he was my friend, brother and Shield of Armor,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Ludovic O. Foyou, chaplain for 1st Bn., 508th PIR. “His immensely pure love for his fellow paratroopers epitomizes the spirit of the Army Chaplain Corps. His love for his wife, Misty, and three princesses: Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristen always kept a radiant smile on his face.”

Goeke, an infantry officer from Minnesota, was commissioned in the U.S. Army May 31, 2008, after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. After receiving his commission Goeke went to Fort Benning, Ga., and attended Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Ranger Course. Following his training, Goeke was assigned to Fort Bragg where he joined Company C, 1st Bn., 508th PIR May 18, 2009. In September 2009, Goeke deployed with the unit to Afghanistan.

“Chris Goeke was one of the finest officers I have had the honor of leading in 20 years of service. His bravery in combat, commitment to his paratroopers, out-of-the-box problem solving and love for his wife and his profession were unparalleled,” said Lt. Col. David Oclander, battalion commander of 1st Bn., 508th PIR.

Tate, who came from Hinesville, Ga., joined the Army Oct. 18, 2001, as a food services specialist. His first assignment was in Darmstadt, Germany, where he deployed to Iraq for the first time from October 2003 to February 2004. In April 2004, Tate was reassigned to Fort Stewart, Ga., where he deployed to Iraq again from January 2005 to January 2006. In July 2006 Tate came to Fort Bragg and was assigned to 782nd BSB. He deployed with the unit to Afghanistan from March 2007 to April 2008 and stayed to deploy again in August 2009.

“Staff Sergeant Sheldon Tate was a true warrior and leader of paratroopers. His last actions were a testament to the leader he was, as he grabbed a young paratrooper and led him to safety.

Staff Sergeant Tate was the epitome of a silent professional and a noncommissioned officer for others to emulate. Hero is the only word that can be used to describe a man of Staff Sergeant Tate’s caliber and moral fiber,” said Capt. William Hofmann, his company commander.

Tate is survived by his wife, Marion, his daughter, Kiante, and his parents, Walter and Valerie Moore.

Tilton, a 23-year old trooper from Decatur, Ill. joined the Army April 7, 2006 and attended basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Tilton went on to attend Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he was trained as a medic. After completing training, Tilton was assigned to Fort Bragg. He arrived Oct. 17, 2006 and joined 1st Bn., 508th PIR.

He deployed to Afghanistan with the unit from January 2007 to April 2008.

Tilton stayed with the unit to deploy to Afghanistan again in August 2009.

“Sergeant Tilton’s selfless service and dedication to his brothers on the battlefield are a true testimony to the paratrooper he was. He was severely wounded treating one of his fellow brothers,” said 1st Lt. Jeffrey Conord, 1st Bn., 508th PIR medic platoon leader. “I can’t think of a greater sacrifice for one’s nation and friend.”

Tilton is survived by his mother, Julie Magana.

Moon, who hailed from Tucson, Ariz., joined the Army Feb. 5, 2008 and attended One Station Unit Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga.

After completing training, Moon was assigned to Fort Bragg, where he arrived Aug. 12, 2008 and joined 2nd Bn., 508th PIR. He deployed with the unit to Afghanistan in September 2009.

“Specialist Moon was the type of person we have all heard of but have very seldom ever met,” said 1st Sgt. Derek Gondek, Moon’s company first sergeant. “He was one of those men who no matter what he put his mind to he became a star at it, whether it was on the baseball field or on the battlefield. He will truly be missed by his fellow warfighters.”

He is survived by his parents, Brian and Marsha Moon.

“We truly mourn the loss of our paratroopers from the 618th Engineer Company, and we will never be able to fill the hole that now exists in our hearts,” Col. Richard G. Kaiser, commander, 20th Eng. Bde. said of Fisher, Johnson, Reed and Stanley. “These men were in the most dangerous spot on this Earth, doing what is arguably one of the most dangerous jobs that can be imagined — clearing roadside bombs, or improvised explosive devices. They did so willingly, professionally and absolutely without fear. Their whole purpose was to make Afghanistan a safer place for our American troops and our Afghan partners, as well as every citizen of Afghanistan. What more noble and selfless task could there be? They are true American heroes.”

Fisher enlisted in the Army in 2006 and was assigned to the 618th Eng. Support Co. He served as an engineer equipment operator and team leader during route clearance operations. He had previously deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Johnson enlisted in the Army in 2008 and was assigned to the 618th Eng. Support Co. He served as an engineer equipment operator and mine resistant ambush protected operator during route clearance operations. It was his first deployment.

Reed enlisted in the Army in 2008 and was assigned to the 618th Eng. Support Co. He served as an engineer equipment operator and MRAP operator during route clearance operations. It was his first deployment also.

Stanley enlisted in the Army in 2006 and was assigned to the 618th Eng. Support Co. He served as an engineer equipment operator and demolitions expert during route clearance operations. He had previously deployed to Iraq in support of OIF.

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