FALLEN MEN

POST VIETNAM

OF BURLINGTON

COUNTY, NJ

MAY 27, 2019

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NOTES

This Booklet was prepared on behalf of the Burlington County War Memorial Committee. It is interrelated to the Post-Vietnam Monument that was originally dedicated October 21, 2010. Additional names have been added since that time.

The photo on the cover was taken by Sgt. Richard D. Stephens

The other photos and biographical information are the property of NJ Run for the Fallen. It is used herein with written permission. Prior to using any of the photos/biographical information, YOU must obtain written permission from the NJ Run for the Fallen.

Additional information on the Men may be found on the NJ Run for the Fallen web site.

The Burlington County War Monument Committee disbanded on May 27, 2019.

The Post Vietnam monument was installed in Freedom Park, October 21, 2010, next to the Vietnam War Monument. It was funded by proceeds of a 5K run which was held on Memorial Day weekend and organized by the Medford Returning Veteran’s Committee (MRVC) and Marlton Assembly of God. Initially, there were 12 names of Burlington County’s fallen inscribed on the granite memorial.

The chairman of the MVRC stated “We selected Freedom Park because of the existing monument”. He added. “Adding the new monument centralizes the park as the location within Burlington County for anyone who would like to honor soldiers from Vietnam through present day.”

Over the years, the number of names inscribed rose to 16. On Memorial Day 2019, an additional 3 names were added.

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The Post-Vietnam Monument is one of 6 that are located in Freedom Park, 86 Union St, Medford, New Jersey. The monuments and dedication dates are;

World War I November 4, 2017 World War II May 27, 2019 Korean War May 27, 2019 Vietnam War June 15, 2007 Post-Vietnam October 21, 2010 Battle Field Cross May 27, 2019

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Hometown: Browns Mills, New Jersey,

Unit: Army, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Birth: Dec 20, 1978

Death: Nov 15, 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Age: 24

Baker enlisted in the Army after graduating from Pemberton High School in 1997. Because his father had served in the Navy, Baker believed military life would suit him. After basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Baker was assigned to the elite airborne division at Fort Campbell, Ky.

In Iraq, Baker performed maintenance on the helicopters the 101st Airborne Division uses to ferry troops from flash point to flash point. When his helicopter was airborne, Baker's job was to man a machine gun mounted at the aircraft door. The position on the helicopter gave Baker a bird's-eye view of some of the war's heaviest fighting. He told his uncle: "War is an ugly business, it's not what you see on TV." The helicopter crew position also put Baker shoulder-to-shoulder with VIPs who visited the combat zone.

Army Spc. Ryan T. Baker came home to Burlington County from Iraq to bury his father, Dane Baker. Baker returned to his job as a helicopter mechanic and gunner with the 101st Airborne Division with these parting words to his family: "Don't worry."

Just after 10 p.m. Saturday, an Army major and a chaplain arrived at Victoria Baker's house to tell her that her 24-year-old son's helicopter had collided with another chopper near Mosul and that he was among 17 soldiers killed.

Burial: Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, New Jersey

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Hometown: New Egypt, NJ.

Unit: 1-101st Aviation Regiment, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.

Birth: March 29th, 1990 in Trenton, New Jersey

Death: April 6, 2018 Age 28

James “Jimmy” J. Casadona, Jr, went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2018 as a result of a training accident with the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. He enlisted on February 13th, 2012 in the United States Marine Corps where he served for four years. During his last year in the Marine Corps, he successfully applied to become an Army Aviator. After receiving his discharge from the United States Marine Corps, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Upon graduation, he was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky where he served as a Pilot in the 1-101st Aviation Regiment.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, US Army Service Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge, US Army Aviator Badge and the Army Commendation Medal.

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Hometown: Fort Dix, New Jersey

Unit: Army, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.

Birth: Feb. 8, 1972

Death: July 17, 2006 in Afghanistan; Operation Enduring Freedom. Age: 34

Robert was the son of an Army staff sergeant and spent part of his childhood in Germany and Georgia before settling in New Jersey. With his father stationed at Fort Dix, he graduated from Pemberton Township High School, Burlington County in 1990 and shortly afterward, the family moved to Woodbury, Gloucester County.

In October 1991, he joined the Army and his first post was Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

He had served in the 82d Airborne Division.

Army Staff Sgt. Chiomento was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Robert was attached to a unit that wouldn't be deploying soon, but he didn't like remaining behind while his fellow soldiers/friends were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though he didn't look forward to combat, he transferred to an infantry unit heading to a hot spot in March 2006. He was serving on Task Force Warrior, which was involved in clearing the region of resurgent Taliban rebels in southern Afghanistan.

Chiomento died when his patrol encountered enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and mortars in Khwaya Ahmad.

Some of his numerous military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Army Achievement Medal.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

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Hometown: Collingswood, New Jersey, U.S.

Unit: Marines, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C

Birth: Oct. 6, 1978 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Death: Jan. 11, 2008 Al Anbar, Iraq Age: 29

Marine Lance Cpl. Christensen was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Curtis was born at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital and attended Delran High School in New Jersey but was currently a resident of Collingswood, New Jersey. On his 28th birthday, he told his family of his plans to join the Marines and dedicated himself to making it work.

Six months before boot camp, he stopped smoking, drinking, ran every day and joined the gym. Curtis never did anything half way and his dedication paid off. Upon graduation from boot camp, he was presented an award for earning the highest marks in physical training – not bad for someone who was the "grandpa" of the group.

When he joined the Marines on October 16, 2006, he was trained as a machine gunner and was promoted to lance corporal on December 1, 2007. But his real dream was the hope of joining a special operations team similar to the Navy SEALs. Curtis was an avid photographer and outdoorsman – remembered as fun-loving and caring.

Burial: Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, New Jersey

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Hometown: Medford Lakes, NJ.

Unit: 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division

Birth: February, 19, 1999 Ft. Campbell Kentucky

Death: March 30, 2019 Fort Greely, Alaska,

Age: 20

SPC. Nicholas Peter DiMona III, 20, of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, died during a live- fire training exercise at the Donnelly Training Area, according to a statement from the Army on Monday.

DiMona was an infantryman assigned to the Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. He joined the Army in 2017 and had been stationed in Alaska since April 2018.

He grew up in Medford Lakesand graduated from Shawnee High School in 2017. Nick was a beloved member of YMCA of the Pines. Nick practically grew up at the Y, starting out as a camper and then joining the staff as a junior counselor, counselor, lifeguard and member of the School's Out staff. He volunteered here whenever he was on leave from the U.S. Army. His mother, Melissa, has been a beloved member of our year- round staff and his sister is a longtime camper.

“Nick was an outstanding paratrooper with an infectious personality and an uncanny desire to excel no matter the challenge,” brigade commander Col. Jason Jones said in the release. “He will be missed by the entire Spartan Brigade. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.”

SPC. Nicholas Peter DiMona III was himself a Gold Star family member as his Father, Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas P. DiMona II, died in a crash of his Apache Longbow helicopter, during a nighttime training session at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, on June 22nd, 2004.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

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Hometown: Delran, New Jersey/Philadelphia, Pa.

Unit: 31st Security Forces Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Birth: September 23, 1986, Elkins Park, PA.

Death: Aug. 28, 2009, Udine Hospital after being medevacked from Gias, Italy Age: 22

SSGT Inglés DosReis died tragically on August 28, 2009, while serving at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

He enlisted in the Air Force in February of 2005, immediately following his graduation from high school. He was a member of the 51st Security Forces Squadron stationed out of Osan Air Base in South Korea from August 2005 until August 2006, before he was transferred to the 31st Security Forces Squadron at Aviano Air Base to serve as an installation entry controller. He deployed to Iraq in August 2007 and remained there until February 2008. While serving in Iraq he received the Army Achievement Medal.

When he returned to Aviano Air Base he served as a certified desk sergeant and was posthumously promoted by the Air Force to the permanent grade of staff sergeant in August 2009.

Ssgt Inglés DosReis was killed in an automobile crash, just five minutes from where he lived with his family. Inglés is not remembered though, for his tragic death, but for the life he lived and the people he blessed.

Burial: Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Philadelphia.

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Hometown: Lumberton, New Jersey,

Unit: Army Reserves, 443rd Civil Affairs, Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, Warwick, R.I.

Birth: December 20, 1973

Death: November 8, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Age: 31

Freeman entered the Army in 1993 and served as a cannon crewmember with Battery E, 7th Field Artillery, Fort Drum, N.Y. He left active duty in 1997 and joined the New Jersey Army National Guard and served with Battery D, 112th Field Artillery, Cherry Hill, N.J.

He joined the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Dix, N.J., in 2003 and trained to be a civil affairs specialist. He was transferred to the 443rd CA Bn. Prior to the unit’s deployment. His military training includes the Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion Course, Air Assault Course, Combat Lifesaver Course and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Course.

Spc. Bryan L. Freeman, was a civil affairs specialist assigned to the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve special operations unit based in Warwick, R.I. The 443rd CA Bn. mobilized in August 2004 and deployed to Iraq in September 2004 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Burial: Beverly National Cemetery, Burlington County, New Jersey

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Hometown: Mount Holly, New Jersey,

Unit: Marines, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune,

Birth: May 28, 1971 Fitchburg Worcester County, Massachusetts

Death: May 9, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Age: 33

Marine Staff Sgt. Anthony L. Goodwin, 33, of Mount Holly, N.J was killed May 9 by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Qa'im, Iraq.

Goodwin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1989 and served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. After the Gulf War, he served in a number of locations, including Angola and the Balkans. He served as a trainer and instructor. In January 2003, Goodwin reported to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division as a platoon sergeant, shortly before deployment with the II Marine Expeditionary Force for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2004, he was moved to 2nd Marine Regimental Training Center to serve as the chief instructor for the regiment. He returned to Iraq in February. Goodwin's unit "conducted patrols to prevent insurgents from developing strongholds in the remote cities of western Iraq."

The highly decorated Goodwin, a former Westampton Township resident, was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by enemy small-arms fire Monday. He was on a combat mission to disrupt terrorist activities near Al Qaim, Marine Corps officials said. He had arrived in February for a 14-month deployment.

Goodwin received more than two dozen medals and commendations while in the Marine Corps, including two Combat Action ribbons, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, three Sea Service Deployment ribbons, and Kuwait Liberation medals for both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

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Ernest Edward Hanyecz Gunnery Mate 1

Birth: August 8, 1961 Trenton, Death: April 19, 1989 At Sea

Burial: Saint Marys Cemetery, Bordentown

No other information available.

Hometown: Willingboro, New Jersey

Unit: Army, C Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning,

Birth: Sep. 29, 1963 Willingboro, N.J.

Death: April 10, 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Age: 39

Hemingway was born in South Carolina, but spent his youth in Trenton, N.J.

Army Staff Sgt. Terry W. Hemingway, 39, of Willingboro, N.J.; assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Benning, Ga.; killed when a car exploded next to his Bradley Fighting Vehicle while traveling down a street in Iraq.

The 19-year veteran, who planned to retire after 20 years, previously was stationed in Panama, Germany and Korea. On a 1988 trip home from Germany, he had been booked on — but missed taking — Pan Am Flight 103, which was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland.

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Hometown: Willingboro, New Jersey

Unit: Army, 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion. Major Dwayne M. Kelley

Birth: 1960 Brooklyn, NY

Died: June 24, 2008 Operation Iraqi Freedom

Age: 48

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y in 1960 and a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Willingboro, N.J. Major Dwayne M. Kelley, 48, was a civil affairs officer assigned to the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, stationed in Green Bay, Wis. He entered the Army in February 1978, and served for 3 years as a light wheel vehicle mechanic until February 1981. From 1982 to 1985, Maj. Kelley completed his studies at Rutgers University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He graduated in May of 1985 from the ROTC program, earning his commission as a U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lieutenant in the Ordnance branch.

He served as an ordnance officer from his graduation until 1999, and then changed his military occupational specialty to military police. He served as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander for the 2nd Battalion of the 309th Regiment, Fort Dix, from April 1999 to April 2001. He was mobilized as a military police officer in October 2001 shortly after September 11, 2001 in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He served 2 years, with the 2nd Battalion of the 309th Regiment, 5th Brigade, 78th Division (Training Support) at Fort Dix. Major Kelley became a Civil Affairs officer in October 2004 and reassigned to the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Dix, as the unit’s executive officer. In 2005, he became the assistant plans officer assigned to the 353rd Civil Affairs Command; Staten Island, N.Y. Maj. Kelley served in this position until his 2nd mobilization in November 2007 with the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Green Bay, Wis as the Civil Affairs Team Chief.

Military awards included two Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass and “M” (mobilization) device and the Army Service Ribbon.

He was employed by the New Jersey State Police as Detective Sergeant First Class.

Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Route 130 South, in Beverly, N.J.

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Jared Michael Leonard Specialist

No information available.

Hometown: Maple Shade, New Jersey,

Unit: Army, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, HI.

Birth: Apr. 2, 1984

Death: December 3, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Age: 20

Army Spc. David Mahlenbrock was killed in action near Kirkuk, Iraq last week. He was a combat engineer who cleared roads and swept for mines. He died December 3, 2004, when a bomb detonated near his Humvee just outside Kirkuk, Iraq.

He attended Maple Shade High School joining the Army after graduating in 2002 and left for Iraq in January and planned a career in the military.

David Mahlenbrock knew the possibility of death was real. He wrote the July letter to his squad mates after a scare involving an explosive. "If you are reading this, then I've died for our country," he wrote in the letter, supplied by Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing aid and comfort to soldiers and their families. "I just hope it wasn't for nothing." In it, he asked that his wife get a few special items, including a dog tag with the couple's picture and an American flag he kept in his left breast pocket. And he asked that "American Soldier" be played at his funeral.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

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Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ

Unit: 693rd Sapper Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountaineer Division, Fort Drum NY.

Birth: Oct. 2, 1987

Death: Jan. 12, 2011 Ghazni, Afghanistan

Age: 23

Ben joined the U.S. Army in April 2009, trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and was stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y. in September. He was a member of the 693d SAPPER Co., 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division.

Spc. Benjamin G. Moore, 23, of Robbinsville, N.J., died Jan. 12, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Ben received many awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.

Burial: Saint Mary's Cemetery, Bordentown, Burlington County, New Jersey

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Hometown: Moorestown, New Jersey

Unit: Army, 1st Medical Detachment, Forward Surgical Team, Fort Totten, N.Y.

Birth: Jan. 23, 1966 New York

Died: December 25, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Age: 42

Dr. Pryor was raised in the Albany, New York suburb of Clifton Park. An active member of Boy Scout Troop 30 he achieved the rank of Life Scout. He was certified in CPR when he was 14. At 17 he joined an ambulance corps in Clifton Park, NY, and at 18 he became a New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

John graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 1984 and from the University of Binghampton in 1988. He attended St Georges' School of Medicine in Granada. He completed Medical School and received his surgical training at the University of Buffalo. After fellowship training in trauma surgery and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania he joined the staff of UPENN. On Sept 11, 2001 Dr. Pryor immediately responded to the attack on the World Trade Center from his Hospital in Philadelphia. He spent that night on the "pile" assisting firefighters and first responder personnel.

Dr. John Paul Pryor was killed by enemy fire while serving as a Major in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps as a battlefield surgeon during his second deployment. He was first deployed in 2006 as the sole trauma surgeon for the 344th Combat Support Hospital in Abu Ghraib Iraq. This second and last deployment was in 2008 with the 1st Forward Surgical Team located in Mosul, Irag. He was buried with full Military Honors. Numerous military awards included the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

At the time of his death Dr John Paul Pryor was on Active Duty from his responsibilities as Trauma Program Director for the Trauma Center at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and School of Medicine. He was also the Director of the Office of Life Support education for the Division of Trauma and is an Associate Professor of Surgery at UPENN.

John wrote of his experiences as a surgeon confronting violence in Iraq and inner-city Philadelphia in articles published in The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Washington Post.

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Hometown: Palmyra, New Jersey

Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Birth: Jan. 5, 1986

Death: Aug. 15, 2010 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Age: 24

Originally from Philadelphia, he moved to Palmyra with his mother at the age of 11. Jamal graduated from the Burlington County Institute of Technology in 2003 and pursued a year in college at Bloomfield College. He decided he wanted to head his career in the medical field so he enlisted in the Army as Combat Medic.

Sgt. Jamal M. Rhett, 24, of Palmyra, N.J., died Aug. 15 in Ba Qubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with grenades. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Just days before his death, which was also literally days before US troops were to be pulled from ‘combat role,’ Jamal passed the promotion board. He would be promoted to Sgt Jamal Rhett in just a few short months, the last conversation that he had with his mom. .

Burial: Chelten Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Hometown: Browns Mills, New Jersey

Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.

Birth: May 9, 1979, Marlton, Burlington County, New Jersey

Death: May 14, 2004 in Karbala', Iraq

Age: 25

Spakosky graduated from Pemberton Township High School in 1997. He joined the Army in January 2002 with the aim of getting an education under the GI Bill,

He joined the United States Army in January 2002 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Philip was assigned to the Army's First Battalion, 37th Armor, First Armored Division (also known as 'The Bandits') based in Freidberg, Germany. The unit was deployed to Iraq in May 2003.

Nicknamed the "Bandits," the regiment deployed to Iraq last May. It is among the units that planned to leave at the end of April but were ordered to extend their tours of duty. In recent days, First Armored Division troops have been fighting militiamen loyal to Shiite clergyman Muqtada al-Sadr in Karbala, where Spakosky was shot by a sniper Thursday.

Burial: Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown Burlington County, New Jersey

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Hometown: Moorestown, NJ.

Unit: USMC Charlie Co 2nd Mar Div

Birth: Jul. 25, 1961 Camden, New Jersey

Death: Oct. 23, 1983, Beirut, Bayrut, Lebanon

Age: 22

Died of injuries from a terrorist suicide truck bomb attack on the Marine Barracks, Beirut Lebanon on October 23, 1983

Burial: Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, Burlington County, New Jersey

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