Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua H. Birchfield
Joshua Birchfield was the storyteller among his friends, the fun-loving "Birch" who enjoyed playing baseball and softball, target shooting and fishing with his father.
"He was a wonderful hero-kid," said his grandmother, Frances Birchfield. "I love that boy to death. He was no angel. He was ornery. But he was a good boy."
The 24-year-old from Westville, Ind., died Feb. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, and the military is investigating. A Pentagon spokesman told a Chicago television station that seven contracted security guards were detained after the incident. Birchfield was based in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Bruce Birchfield said his son joined the military partly because he could never say no to a challenge. The 2004 graduate of Westville High School had been a Marine for two years.
Guidance counselor Scott McDonald said that Birchfield visited the school a few months ago, and that his character hadn't changed much.
"He was pretty much the same kid, except for a lot of, 'yes sirs' and, 'no sirs,'" he said.
Other survivors include Birchfield's mother and stepfather, Ron and Shelley Hacker, and two sisters, Rachael and Emily.
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Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz
Michael Cardenaz planned to celebrate his 30th birthday when he returned from Afghanistan this month and he wanted everyone to be at his family's Moreno Valley, Calif., home for the party, a sister said.
The 29-year-old soldier loved his hometown of Corona and having a good time with family. He also loved the military, enlisting as soon as he turned 18 and recently signing a contract with the Army, said his sister Priscilla Cardenaz.
"We would tell him to get out," she said. "But he loved it."
Cardenaz, a father of five, was killed Feb. 20 in Kunar, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to Fort Carson, and he and his wife, Macarena, lived in Colorado Springs with their three young daughters.
"Before he left to Afghanistan, he spent a week fishing every day with his daughters," his sister said. "He loved to fish."
Cardenaz also had an older son and daughter from a previous relationship.
The family expected him home toward the end of March, and planned to throw the birthday party then.
"He told my mom he wanted everybody to be there," said another sister, Monica. "We were starting to plan it, and now he gets a funeral instead."
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Army Staff Sgt. Rusty H. Christian
Rusty Christian was remembered as a dedicated soldier who worked hard to master every task — and a guy who could always boost his team's morale with a joke.
"At the end of the day, when we were tired or maybe a little keyed up, one of the best ways to decompress was to just sit and talk with Rusty," said Staff Sgt. David Schaefer, a medic on Christian's team.
Christian, 24, of Greeneville, Tenn., was killed by a roadside bomb Jan. 28 in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. He enlisted in the military soon after graduating from Greeneville High School in 2004 and was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
A friend, Chris Easterly, described Christian as his "little brother" and said the soldier loved serving in the armed forces.
"He was about as hard-core as you can get when it came to the military," Easterly said. "He was really dedicated."
However, friends and family said Christian also was a dedicated father, husband and son.
"His family was the most important thing in the world to him, and I'm glad that he and (his wife) Amber were blessed to have two wonderful children together," said Christian's brother, Aaron Christian.
In addition to his wife, Christian is survived by his 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, and 1-year-old son, Gavin.
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Marine Pfc. Kyle J. Coutu
Kyle Joe Coutu was a handsome and popular young athlete who used his magnetic charm to cheer up gloomy friends.
People were drawn to his outgoing yet caring personality. For some, all it took was a flash of his signature smile to lift their spirits.
"He was the happiest man on the earth," said his fiancee, Jacqueline DaSilva.
Coutu liked helping others and viewed serving his country as a way to do so. He joined the Marines after graduating from Tolman High School in Pawtucket, R.I., last year.
The 20-year-old got engaged during Thanksgiving leave and was in town again in January to see friends before his deployment to Afghanistan.
Just three weeks after arriving, he was killed in combat Feb. 18 in Helmand province. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Coutu loved to play sports and had served as captain of the Tolman High wrestling and football teams.
"Kyle Joe was the best person to ever come from Tolman, he will be greatly missed by all," former classmate Ashley Raposo posted on an online memorial for Coutu. "He was the funniest classmate anyone can ask for. ... He's up in heaven looking down at everyone with the infamous smile of his."
Survivors include his mother, Melissa A. Coutu.
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Marine Pfc. Eric D. Currier
Eric Currier had earned his high school diploma at night school and was working as a carpenter last March when he joined the Marines.
He wanted to do something to make his family proud. Currier, of Londonderry, N.H., was deployed to Afghanistan in January and believed he was making a difference.
"He said, 'I'm proud to be over here; these people need us,'" said his grandfather, Russ Currier. "He was very proud to be a Marine."
Eric Currier, 21, was killed in combat in Helmand province on Feb. 17, six weeks into his deployment. He was based at Camp Lejeune. He and his wife, Kaila, recently bought a home near the base.
Currier loved the outdoors and grew up hunting and fishing with his grandfather. He also enjoyed swimming and playing basketball.
Friends say Currier, a 2007 graduate of Londonderry High School, was friendly and always willing to lend a hand to someone in need.
His younger brother, Brent, followed him into the military, enlisting in the Army. Brent Currier said he was proud of his brother.
"He always wanted to do something respectful for the family," he said.
Survivors include his mother, Helen Boudreau, father, Russell Currier, Jr., four brothers and three sisters.
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Marine Lance Cpl. Kielin T. Dunn
Kielin Dunn said the way to people's hearts was their eyes — something that wasn't possible unless their eyes were open.
"You sometimes have to open their eyes to see the truth," Dunn wrote on his MySpace page. "When I see someone that I want to connect with I try to not only find something in common but create something in common too."
Dunn's words apparently rang true at the Seton Youth Shelter in Virginia Beach, Va., where the teen had lived for a short time when he found himself homeless near the end of high school.
"He was an inspiration to the residents here," said David Mount, the shelter's director of street outreach programs. "He inspired them and gave them hope that they could actually overcome their life challenges."
Dunn, 19, of Chesapeake, Va., was killed in combat Feb. 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Despite his hardship, Dunn worked toward his goal of joining the Marines while staying at the shelter and graduated from Western Branch High School in 2008. Mount said the teen left for boot camp the day after he graduated.
He is survived by his parents, Terri Dunn Campbell and Gary Campbell, and two siblings, Nicole and Jonathan.
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Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard
Chris Eckard loved roaming the North Carolina countryside where he grew up, riding bikes and playing soldier. As he got older, he took to shooting pool and watching comedies like "Happy Gilmore."
"The dumber the movie the better," said Casey Mahoney, Eckard's longtime friend.
Eckard began his military career in the National Guard in 1998, and he enlisted full-time after a few years of that. He advanced his training and became a specialist — his task was spotting and defusing bombs in war zones.
The 30-year-old from Hickory, N.C., was killed Feb. 20 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, though few details of his death were released. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
"That little boy playing soldier down in the woods — he's now my hero," said Eckard's uncle, Boyce Eckard.
Eckard was supposed to be home soon to see his wife and two sons, and had planned to start a career in the classroom. He wanted to teach other Marines about bomb-hunting.
His brother, Chad Eckard, said the Marine found his job very gratifying but preferred not to share stories of his battlefield experiences.
"He didn't brag or act like Rambo," Chad Eckard said.
Eckard leaves behind his wife, Ashley, and their sons, Steven and Avery.
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Marine Pfc. Jason H. Estopinal
Jason Estopinal — called "JJ" by many who knew him, even though he didn't like the nickname — wasn't too scared to jump out of a plane to go skydiving on his 18th birthday.
And he wasn't too scared to join the Marine Corps.
"He didn't let fear guide him. He was quite a person," said his father, Jason Estopinal Sr.
The younger Estopinal graduated from East Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga., in 2007. He then worked for the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Department, cleaning facilities and mowing baseball fields.
But in 2008, he finally followed his dream and joined the Marines.
Estopinal, 21, died Feb. 15 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Cindy Sharpe, who said she has lived a few doors down from the Estopinals since the boy known as JJ was 6 years old, remembered him as a low-key boy who didn't like getting into mischief.
"He was quiet and fun to be around," she said.
Estopinal's father said his son was a popular student and soccer player at East Paulding. He was set to come home from his deployment in May.
The Marine also is survived by his mother, Claire, and brother, Parker.
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Army Sgt. Dillon B. Foxx
Dillon Foxx was a free spirit with a big heart that drew people into his orbit.
"He was always smiling and always wanted to have a good time," said Army Spc. Jonathan Buchs, who'd promised to escort Foxx home if he was killed overseas.
Foxx, 22, of Traverse City, Mich., died Feb. 5 in Bala Murghab of wounds from a bomb during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.
His mother, Trina Pfau, said he'd attended Kingsley High School and West Senior High School in Traverse City. Foxx enlisted in 2006, a year after moving from Tennessee to Michigan.
"In my eyes, he will always be my hero," Pfau said, adding Foxx had always been one to care for others.
Survivors include his infant son, Kaiden Levi; his father, Robert Lentz; and several siblings, including an older brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Chad Stewart.
Foxx had left a message for his loved ones in case of his death through his poetry, which was read at the memorial: "I'm sure there will be some heartache, and I know that you'll cry tears. But your son is a soldier now, Mom. There is nothing you should fear."
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Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Freeman
It didn't take much to put Mike Freeman in a good mood — a good catch during a hunting outing or acting goofy with his wife would do it.
He tried to make people around him happy, too.
"If they were having a bad day, he would make it much better," said his wife, Stephanie. "He was just a funny person."
She and Freeman got married Oct. 1. A month later, he was in Afghanistan on his first military deployment. They planned a ceremony in June, when Freeman's deployment was to end.
But three months into his deployment, Stephanie had to shift from planning a reception to helping plan Freeman's funeral. He died in an explosion Feb. 1 in Helmand province. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Stephanie, an 18-year-old high school senior, frequently mentions her pain on Facebook.
"I just wish i could go back in time and stop him from going. I want everything to just go back to normal so i can have my hubby back <Rip my hubby>," she posted Feb. 6.
Freeman, a 21-year-old Fayetteville, Pa., native, joined the Marines shortly after graduating from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 2008.
He also leaves behind his parents and a sister.
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Army Sgt. Marcos Gorra
Marcos Gorra moved to the U.S. from Cuba when he was 7, barely able to speak English. His outgoing personality helped him adapt quickly. He decided to give back to his adopted country after high school by serving in the U.S. Army, where he became a paratrooper.
"He was just grateful to be here," said Sgt. Benjamin Jimenez, who jumped out of planes with him in Afghanistan. "Grateful that his family was here with him. Grateful that the U.S. opened doors for them."
Gorra had an American flag and an eagle tattooed on one arm. He also had one of the Cuban flag.
"He was a patriotic American and an outstanding soldier," said Brigadier Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux.
Gorra, 22, of North Bergen, N.J., was nearing the end of his deployment when he died Feb. 21 during a training exercise at Kandahar Airbase in Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg.
The 2006 North Bergen High School graduate played football and baseball during his freshman and sophomore years. He also enjoyed boxing and playing jokes on friends. His parents, Gricel and Marcos Gorra, and younger sister and brother are finding it difficult to cope with his death.
"It's hard when you are so close," said his sister, Griselly Gorra.
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Marine Lance Cpl. Matthias N. Hanson
Matt Hanson gave powerful hugs, had piercing blue eyes and a smile unlike any other — the Rev. Norm Brock said it was a sneaky grin that inched its way closer to laughter.
The 20-year-old Marine also was never one to worry about his own well-being — he always asked Brock to pray for the other men in his unit and his friends, but not himself.
"Maybe it was because he was a big kid himself, but Matt had a natural inclination to make kids feel (safe and protected)," Brock said.
Hanson, of Buffalo, Ky., was killed in combat Feb. 21 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Hanson graduated from LaRue County High School in 2008, where he played football and was a member of the Student Technology Association.
He joined the Marines right after graduation, said his uncle, Max Watts.
"He wanted to show everybody he could be the best," Watts said.
Indeed, Hanson came from a military family: his father served in the Gulf War, his stepfather served in Vietnam and his brother is currently in the Army.
"He was just the most cheerful kid that you'd ever seen," said his aunt, Jennifer Harding.
Hanson is survived by his parents, Mary Huff and Lowell Hanson II; sister, Megan Dohn; and brother, Lowell Hanson III.
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Army Sgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman
David Hartman wasn't on a combat mission in Pakistan — he was building homes and a school. When he talked to his mother by video chat online, he showed her the traditional clothing he wore to blend into the community.
It was a change he liked, his mother said — he had served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his nearly 10-year military career.
"He just enjoyed helping people; he enjoyed it better than having to pick up a gun and hurt people," said Trea Bacon, Hartman's mother.
Hartman, 27, was killed Feb. 3 in Timagara, Pakistan. He was based at Fort Bragg and lived on the post with his wife, Cherise, and son, Mikey. However, he attended high school on a military base in Okinawa, Japan, where he lived with his mother and stepfather.
His sister, Mel Alford, said Hartman often visited his mother in Wisconsin after she moved there in 2002. He came to knew a lot of people in the town of Pardeeville, where he often sang karaoke at a local saloon and where people frequently bought him drinks.
"He was a really good brother," Alford said. "The wisest and strongest of (us)."
Hartman also is survived by his father, Greg Hartman.
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Marine Lance Cpl. Larry M. Johnson
Everything changed for Larry Johnson when he joined the Marines.
The scrawny kid became rugged with wider biceps. He also was more respectful, always answering, "Yes, sir" or "No, sir," family members said.
Johnson looked forward to making life easier for his mom, Johanna Johnson. But the 19-year-old Scranton, Pa., native died Feb. 18 during combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune. His job was to find and destroy explosive devices.
Scranton High School principal Eric Schaeffer said Johnson was a polite, friendly student who looked forward to joining the Marines after graduating in 2008.
"I can picture him walking down the hall — blond hair and bright blue eyes, always smiling," Schaeffer said.
Johnson enjoyed outdoor activities including snowboarding, skiing, water-skiing, swimming, camping and riding all-terrain vehicles. He also liked dancing, singing and watching MTV.
His former English teacher, Jennifer Brotherton, remembers him always wearing a smile.
"He had a really good heart, and he was so full of energy," she said. "Any time a child dies, it's too soon."
Other survivors include his father, Larry Johnson; stepfather, Jeff Whitney; a brother; two sisters; and a stepsister.
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Army Pfc. Zachary G. Lovejoy
Zachary Lovejoy, of Albuquerque, N.M. was an outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, riding ATVs and skiing in the region where he grew up.
Last spring, he met his fiancee, Kaitlin Varner, of Jonesville, S.C., and the two planned to marry in June 2011. Her family, as well as his, were important to Lovejoy throughout the nearly six months he spent in Afghanistan, his family said.
"Zach was a great joy to be around, and his high-energy, fun-loving zest for life was contagious," an obituary in the Albuquerque Journal said.
Lovejoy, 20, and another soldier were killed Feb. 2 in Zabul province after their vehicle was attacked by a roadside bomb. Lovejoy was assigned to Fort Bragg.
According to his obituary, he graduated from La Cueva High School in 2008 and enlisted in the Army his senior year.
He had been a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC, while in high school and knew since he was in elementary school that he wanted to join the Army.
"Zach had a great passion to serve and protect his country. ... He loved being a U.S. Army Infantry Solider, was a good soldier and died doing what he wanted to do," his obituary said.
Survivors include his fiancee; his parents, Terry and Mike Lovejoy; his sister, Ashley; and grandparents Rose and Lowell Lovejoy.
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Marine Sgt. Jeremy R. McQueary
The Jeremy McQueary that his wife wants the world to remember is a man who mentored troubled high school students, enjoyed fishing and four-wheeling, and posed for playful pictures with his dog.
He married his high school sweetheart, Rae, and was trying to get a military recruiting job to remain closer to their 5-month-old son, Hadley, said his mother, Deborah Kleinschmidt.
Sgt. Patrick Van Ostran, a friend who had served with the Marine in Iraq, said McQueary was "uncontrollable" and ecstatic the day he called to tell him about his new son. He said McQueary lived with "a magic about him that would brighten all situations."
The military says the 27-year-old vehicle operator from Columbus, Ind., died Feb. 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. McQueary's relatives said they were told he was killed by an explosive.
He joined the Marines in 2002 after graduating early from Columbus East High School and was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
Survivors include his stepfather and a sister, Rebecca, who said McQueary had a heart for service, leadership and helping others.
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