The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, began arriving in Afghanistan last month. Those soldiers, from Fort Wainwright in Alaska, were coming to replace the soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, who are based in Germany. On May 16th, soldiers from both units were on a motorized patrol in the town of Spin Ghbarga in southern Afghanistan’s Zabul province, which borders Pakistan.
A roadside bomb exploded, killing four of the soldiers, and seriously wounding two more. Those members of the US Army who were lost that day are:
- Staff Sergeant David D. Self who was from Mississippi
- Specialist Bradley L. Melton who was from Missouri
- Private Lamarol J. Tucker who was from Florida
- Private Cheizray Pressley who was from South Carolina
Staff Sergeant David D. Self
David D. Self was from Pearl, Mississippi. He graduated from Pearl High School. The mayor of Pearl, Brad Rogers, is quoted by the Clarion Ledger site. Some of the quotes follow:
"Every time you lose a soldier it's a tragic and terrible thing," he said. "We're so reminded of that when things like this happen, because you hope and pray that it doesn't hit your hometown."
The mayor said his office is working to obtain more information on Self's return, so the city can begin preparing for a funeral escort and anything else the family might need.
"This is a sad day, a constant reminder of the dangers our men and women are in when they serve," Rogers said. "They never know from one minute to the next what all is going to happen, but they're there to protect and serve anyway. We're forever grateful for their service."
He was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, which is based at Vilseck, Germany.
He died while on patrol in an armored vehicle on May 16th, in the Zabul province of Afghanistan from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device (IED). He was 29 years old.
Also killed in the attack were Spc. Bradley L. Melton from Rolla, Mo, Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker from Gainesville, Fla. and Pvt Cheziray Pressley from North Charleston, S.C. They were assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Wainwright in Anchorage, Alaska.
A memorial service for Self will be held Monday at the Rose Barracks Cavalry Chapel in Vilseck, Germany. When he returns to the states, next week, the Patriot Guard Riders will be present to help guide his remains to their final resting place.
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Specialist Bradley L. Melton
Bradley L. Melton was from Rolla, Missouri. Melton attended the Raymondville school and was active in sports. As a seventh grader, he won the school's basketball shootout that benefited Easter Seals. The honor won him recognition at a Southwest Missouri State University basketball trip.
Melton joined the Army in October 2000. He was previously stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Melton was in the Army for about 11 years and was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He'd been in the country only a few weeks, working as a combat engineer. He was assigned for about the last three years to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, which is based in Alaska.
He was killed Monday afternoon, May 16th, in the Zabul Province of southern Afghanistan while on patrol in an armored vehicle on a route clearance mission. He was 29 years old.
Melton's stepfather, Steve Beem is quoted in an article on KTUU.com:
He was very family oriented, you couldn't separate him from his mother. He loved his mother very, very much, and was just a good person to be around. On a bad day, he'd make you smile. On a happy day, he'd make you even happier," said Beem, whom Melton called "Dad."
Melton's mother could not bring herself to speak to a reporter on Tuesday. Beem said the entire family needs a lot of support right now, but they're also thinking of Melton's comrades and hoping they make it through the rest of their tour safely.
Also killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. David D. Self from Pearl, Miss.. Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker from Gainesville, Fla. and Pvt Cheziray Pressley from North Charleston, S.C.
Among those left behind by the death of Specialist Helton are his mother, stepfather, two sons, Tristen and Preston, his fiancée, and two sisters. When he is laid to rest, the Patriot Guard Riders expect to be there to help honor him and his service.
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Private Lamarol J. Tucker
Lamarol Jerome Tucker was from Gainesville, Florida.He was a 2003 graduate of Santa Fe High School in Alachua.
Tucker joined the service in January 2009 and was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood before coming to Alaska.
The Fort Wainwright, Alaska soldier was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. His year-long deployment to Afghanistan was just beginning and he was working as a combat engineer. An article at Newsminer.com states:
The three Fort Wainwright soldiers were all combat engineers assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
Most of the 4,000 troops in the Stryker brigade have now left for Afghanistan for the brigade’s year-long deployment in three southern provinces. Their mission is to support the Afghan government and train Afghan security forces.
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell issued a statement in response to the death of the soldiers Wednesday. “Sandy and I were saddened to learn of the tragic loss of these soldiers,” he said. “Their brave sacrifice demonstrates an unyielding service to others, and it will not be forgotten. On behalf of all Alaskans, we extend our sympathies to the families and loved ones during this difficult time."
He was killed Monday afternoon in the Zabul Province of southern Afghanistan while on patrol in an armored vehicle. He was 26 years old.
Also killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. David D. Self from Pearl, Miss. Spc. Bradley L. Melton from Rolla, Mo, and Pvt Cheziray Pressley from North Charleston, S.C.
Among those surviving Private Tucker are his father, Lenard Jerome Tucker, his brother, Keith Tucker. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Elaine Walker.
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Private Cheziray Pressley
Cheziray Pressley was from "the Lowcountry" in North Charleston, South Carolina.The second-oldest of the family's four sons, he graduated from Fort Dorchester High School in 2008. He joined the Army in September 2010. He married in December and has a young daughter.
According to the Post and Courier site:
Pressley said his son last called home on Mother's Day. During the call he expressed his love for his mother but didn't say much about what his job was or what he was involved in. "He had, for one reason or another, to keep that under wraps, to keep that secretive," his father said.
Cheziray had come home in December to marry Dawn, his girlfriend of several years. The Pressley family has been in the Charleston area for a relatively short time, having moved from Abbeville around 2007. Church work brought the Pressleys here.
Raymond Pressley said it was an easy decision for his son to join up, since other family members already had served in various branches and spoke positively of military life.
The Fort Wainwright, Alaska soldier was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He was working as a combat engineer, and had just started a year-long deployment in Afganistan.
He was killed Monday afternoon in the Zabul Province of southern Afghanistan while on patrol in an armored vehicle. He was 21 years old.
Also killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. David D. Self from Pearl, Miss. Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker from of Gainesville, Fla. and Spc. Bradley L. Melton from Rolla, Missouri.
A funeral is being planned through the Fielding Home for Funerals.
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