Fallen Heroes

Private John Dion, 19, of Shattuck, died on January 3, 2010, from injuries he suffered in an attack on his unit in Ashoque, Afghanistan. Private Dion was one of three soldiers killed; he was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 12^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Captain David Thompson, 39, of Hooker, died January 29, 2010, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations. Captain Thompson was one of two soldiers killed; he was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion 3^rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Sergeant Vincent Owens, 21, of Keota, died March 1, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered after his transport vehicle was attacked in Yosuf Khel. Owens was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Specialist Charles Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, died June 7, 2010. Specialist Jirtle was one of four soldiers who died of wounds he suffered after an IED attack on his vehicle in Konar, Afghanistan. Specialist Charles Jirtle was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Specialist Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, died June 21, 2010 in Afghanistan, from wounds he suffered after a suicide bomber attacked his unit. Specialist Looney was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart; Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Specialist Jared Plunk, 27, of Stillwater, died on June 25, 2010, in Afghanistan from wounds he sustained in a rocket propelled grenade attack on his unit. Specialist Plunk was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Private First Class Ryan Grady, 25, of Bristow, died July 1, 2010, at Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised-explosive device. PFC Ryan Grady was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Bradford, Vermont.