TACP Casualities
The men listed here represent our lost and fallen in peacetime and war.
If you have updated information or a photo that you would like added to the site, email me and I will post it.
0000-00-00 Ed Drewery actual date and reason for his passing are unknown. If you have further information please let me know
0000-00-00 John P Barry John was a TACP member with the 11th CAV during 1966-1967. Unknown cause of death. Unknown date of death
0000-00-00 Gerald Smith Gerald was a 1960’s era ROMAD with 4 tours in Vietnam. He died of heart failure. If anyone has a photo or details of when Gerald passed please email me
0000-00-00 Rickey Heppart Unknown date of passing. It is believed that he passed away in a vehicle accident near albany Ga.
Also from James Benito: I was stationed with Kicky at Ft Hood when he Died. He was in 1st Cav, 1st Brigade. The NCOIC was TSgt Robin Kirksey. The died around 1985-1986 in a car accident while on leave in georgia visiting family and friends. From what I recall the car went off the road and he was thrown from the vehicle
0000-00-00 Roger Fuchs From Ben Johnson: Roger Fuchs ended his career at Ft Lewis Washington and not long afterwards died of various cancers. Im am not sure but I believe he retired around 1984/85 and died a few years later.
1950-07-11 S/Sgt Bird Hensley Excerpt from “The US Air Force In Korea 1950-1953″ …Later that day, while moving north from a regimental command post at Chochiwon toward the front lines, Lt. Philip J. Pugliese and his party were cut off by a North Korean road block. They destroyed their equipment and dispersed to walk out, but two of the airmen—S/Sgt. Bird Hensley and Pfc. Edward R. Logston—never returned to friendly territory.
1950-07-11 PFC Edward R Logston Excerpt from “The US Air Force In Korea 1950-1953″ …Later that day, while moving north from a regimental command post at Chochiwon toward the front lines, Lt. Philip J. Pugliese and his party were cut off by a North Korean road block. They destroyed their equipment and dispersed to walk out, but two of the airmen—S/Sgt. Bird Hensley and Pfc. Edward R. Logston—never returned to friendly territory.
1951-03-31 Kenneth Gage Listed as a POW, declared dead
1953-01-01 Robert Carlson MIA, Declared Dead
1954-03-31 John Gahan MIA, Declared Dead
1954-03-31 Philip Tilch MIA, Declared Dead
1954-03-31 George Worth, Jr MIA, Declared Dead
1978-10-01 Carl McGee Carl was killed in an OV-10 Crash in Korea
1980-01-01 Jerry McMillan Jerry was killed in a house fire at Ft Hood. Actual date of death is unknown. If you have details of this event please update me.
1983-01-01 Robert Jones Robert was killed in the line of duty in Germany. Further details are unknown. If you have updates please let me know
1983-01-01 Kevin Burnt Kevin Committed suicide sometime in 1983 while stationed in Hawaii
1984-09-01 Bob Watson Bob was killed in a car accident
1986-01-01 Greg Bruffett Greg died of unknown causes.
1988-01-01 Andre Berkley Andre was killed when his HF antenna made contact with an exposed 50,000 volt high tension wire in korea. A placard was placed on the power pole by 2 ROMADs (one of which was Ron Myers) warning others of the extreme danager. Since that time, the area has been made un-accessable to vehicle traffic due to the extreme danger.
1989-01-01 Amilio Suarez Amilio “Shorty” Suarez died of colon cancer
1990-01-01 Aaron Thomas Washington Thomas was heading towards the airport on I-5 to pick up his girlfriend. Single car accident. The actual cause is unknown but is assume to be that either he fell asleep or an animal darted out in front of him and he lost control. If anyone remembers when this occurred please update me
1991-08-31 Jake Jacoby Jake died of a heart attack
1992-01-01 Dean Chambers Dean and his fiancee were returning from looking at apartments in the Ft Bragg area when a drunk driver crossed the yellow line and hit them head on. Deans fiancee who was driving was killed instantly, dean died several hours later at the hospital.
1993-01-01 Robert Haumesser Bob was a former active Army Scout Bradley gunnery instructor and TC who cross trained to the Air Guard TACP. He was there about 4 years when he contracted throat cancer and died soon after
1993-02-01 Steven Carnes Steven was killed while jogging on the university of Florida campus by a vehicle
1994-01-01 Todd Kessler Coming back
from a fishing trip in California alone, Todd ran off the road and was
killed instantly.
From Dennis Wise
For some of the younger bros in the career field who may not remember or know, the litho at the very top of your page was done a few years back when I was down at the schoolhouse. The guy with the handset is a very near and dear person to me and to all of us who served with him.
I was recently at a memorial day celebration here in Hawaii honoring veterans and fallen comrades and sponsored by the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club (lively old bunch I might add). Not long afterwards I visited your page, as I often do, and happened to notice the pic of Todd.
Todd Kessler was a little dude. Kind of quiet, balding prematurely, with a tidy 35-10 moustache. He came to us from Germany and surprisingly was a non-volunteer to be an instructor. Having no mercy as most of you remember Hurlburt in those days, we immediately slammed him in the CAS block with all the motivated, ate up skydaddys. .. John Kleber, Ray Carvalho, Scott Root….In short notice, Todd was busting hump and wanted to go to jump school.
As I mentioned earlier, being "vertically challenged", Toddy was a real hoot to watch run. Short legs that took two steps to most peoples one but a heart and willpower that could go on forever. Just watching him and Kleb (they were great friends by the way) run together was a sight I will long remember after my ROMAD days are over.
Toddy also had a passion for snakes. He kept several in the shop there including a couple pygmy rattlers and one rather large eastern diamondback. How many times I got on his case for the smell of that damn snake box of his…. And the look on many students eyes when they came into the office to watch him feed the snake a rat is also something I’ll take to my grave.
Todd got out at the end of his enlistment….he wanted to be a mechanic. He and his wife Crystal moved back to California. Not long afterwards we lost Todd in a single vehicle accident coming back from a fishing trip. Im eternally happy that he was the one to pose for the litho that year. Every time I see that pic I think of the little fireball of a man and wonder where he would be today if he were still in and still with us. Probably jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and wearing an SF patch…
Godspeed Toddy…..we miss ya buddy.
1994-08-01 Ronald Tafini Ron was killed in a motorcycle accident the night prior to his wedding
1994-12-01 Robert L. Case Robert committed suicide at Ft Knox Ky December 94
Comment by Andrew J Holloway: Memorial Day 2005 I made a hike in memory of Sgt. Robert L. Case (Caseman). It gave me time to remember the many great times I had with him as well as how dedicated a ROMAD he was. He didn’t care much for Officers or high ranking enlisted who cared more about the politics of our career field than the man in the field. I spent time with Caseman on many different missions. I traveled this country with him from the dust bowl and playing fields of NTC to AOA operations in Upper Wisconsin and Royal Maritime exercises in Canada. He was the type of Man that inspired Love for our Country and dedication to our field. Sgt Case spent his life in dedication to our Country first as a United States Marine and last as an Air Force Warrior. Near Flagstaff Arizona In the Coconino National Forest approximately 1.5 K. Due West of the Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill I found Caseman a final CP. I know he would get a kick out of it because from his view he could take out NAU’s Skydome with none the wiser. Not that he would ! But the thought would have given him a smile. R.I.P. Buddy. You are gone but not forgotten.
1995-09-27 David Kubes (information forwarded by Delmer Melton) Dave had been flying medical supplies in the Carolinas, taking turns with another pilot for the two routes. His partner had some trouble with one of the planes (a small twin engine) and Dave had to go pick him up and fly him home. The next day, the company mechanic was flown up to the disabled plane’s location, fixed it and brought it back. Shortly after that Dave was flying the trouble plane and it started acting up again. He called it in and they made arrangements to pick him up. At the last minute, the boss was able to find a mechanic at the field where Dave was stranded. So, in a effort to save some air miles and a day’s work, he had the local man work on the plane. The mechanic finished his work and gave Kubes the green light. Just as Dave was lifting off, the "repaired" engine stalled. In that precarious "point of no return" Dave could neither gain the needed altitude to maneuver, or abort the take-off. His craft crashed near the end of the runway. He was killed outright. September 27, 1995, Spartanburg, SC. Dave is survived by his wife Alexis.
1995-11-01 Lacy Foley Unknown details of his passing
1996-06-01 Bill MuGuigan Lost the battle with Leukemia
1996-06-12 Roger Nichols Roger lost the fight with cancer
1996-08-10 Gary Anacker Gary committed suicide in Orlando Florida. Gary had retired on 1 June 1996. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Chris and Mike, who live in Arizona
1996-09-04 Brian Daly Brian was killed during a HALO parachuting accident on Wednesday, 4 September 1996 at the Yuma Arizona Military Free Fall school. Preliminary information: Eyewitness accounting… Brian was performing a day jump with a student. Stored in his right thigh pocket on his jumpsuit was a beacon held on with the white dummy cord. This cord was attached to a cotton eyelet just above the pocket. Brian and the student fell stable to 4000ft where the Student is required to pull. The instructors continue another 1000ft. Instructor cadre jump with a civilian rig that employs a drogue chute. Brian grabed the drogue and deployed it. Looking back to clear the pocket he immediately realized that it was tangled up in the beacon lanyard. Brian cut away his main and deployed his reserve, which also got tangled up. Brian was found still gripping the lanyard trying to break it free of his suit. Brian had a Terminal building dedicated to him on March 27th 1999. Click
this link to see some pictures of the dedication.
1998-12-02 Michael Brooks Michael lost the fight with pancreatic cancer. He was laid to rest in the Caraway Cemetery next to his father
1999-04-26 Shane Moore Shane was killed when the vehicle he and another airman were in hydroplaned, causing him to veer into the semi beside them. Their car bounced off the semi and veered into oncoming traffic, side swiping a dodge pickup. This sent them back across into the semi and their car lodged under the rear axle. Shane passed away at 0440, three days after his 20th Birthday
1999-08-14 Kevin McCollum Kevin lost the fight with Brain Cancer.
1999-10-29 Mike Geringer Mike had a heart attack and was hospitalized. The left side of his heart was damaged and three arteries were blocked. On 12 November mike was cleared to drive and was reduced on the amount of oxygen he had to take. On 18 November, 0830 mike had a second massive heart attack. He was placed on a ventilator due to lapsing into a coma. On 19 November he was pronounced brain dead and removed from the ventilator…he died soon afterwards.
2000-03-08 Robert PettyJohn On 8 March 2000 Chief Petty john was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Exploratory surgery they discovered a tumor in his large intestine that had become infected and completely closed off the large intestine. Unfortunately, the tumor greatly weakened the intestinal wall and causing the intestine perforate spreading deadly toxins throughout his abdominal cavity. The surgeons cleaned him out the best they could but before closing they noted at least two spots of cancer on his liver. Bob was then transported the Portsmouth Naval Hospital where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit. On 30 April, the Chief passed away from his severely weakened condition.
For detailed information hit
2000-06-09 Calvin Johnson Calvin was serving as a Battalion Liaison Officer trainer at the 81st Fighter Squadron in Germany. He was killed in a motorcycle accident.
2000-12-12 Robert Deatherage SMSgt (RET) Robert Deatherage died tuesday at teh Methodist Medical Center in Peoria Ill. Bobby was 56, a veteran of the Vietnam war and the first operation superintendent of the 165th ASOS, GaANG. Services were held a the Remmert Funderal home in East Peoria. Contributions can be made in bobbys memory to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton NH 03086
2001-03-12 Jason Faley was killed while performing Night CAS operations on Udairi Range in Kuwait on 12 March 01. Jason was laid to rest near Nashville TN. A Navy FA-18 dropped 2 MK-82s on the OP. The investigation results are
HERE. Jason is survived by his one year old son Andrew and his wife Shannon.
Photos of Funeral and News Coverage Flickr photos
2002-05-22 Timothy Deslatte While working on a communications tower and due to a winch/rope failure he fell to his death. He is survived by his wife Samantha, his son Noah, daugher Mackenna and unborn son Connor Timothy.
Clipping from Local Newspaper: "Two technicians working on a wireless communications tower about 50 miles east of Austin died after a fall Wednesday. Timothy Paul Deslatte, 27, of New Braunfels and Joe Edward Palafox, 22, of Waco died at 4:15 p.m. while installing equipment for Verizon Wireless near the community of Lincoln. Another man was injured. A worker lowering the men in harnesses from the tower lost control of the rope and the men fell 200 feet, the sheriff’s office said."
2002-11-03 Jack O’Brien On the morning of 3 November 2002, Jack was traveling in a POV, the driver lost control and struck a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle killing Jack instantly. 15 ASOS held a memorial service on 5 November 2002, His funeral was held on 9 November 2002 in Tuscon Arizona. Donations should be sent to the Air Force Aid Society in his memory. Jack had only been in the careerfield for 2 months. He will be missed, now, and in the future.
From the Local Newspaper "Age 21, of Tucson, AZ died November 3, 2002. He was an Airman First Class Tactical Air Control Party with the United States Air Force, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield. Son of Jan O’Brien and the late Mike O’Brien of Tucson; brother of Patrick O’Brien of Tempe. Jack graduated from Sabino High in 2000. He attended the University of Arizona then enlisted in the US Air Force where he was with the TACP Special Forces located at Fort Stewart, GA. He really found himself in the Air Force and absoulutely loved it. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made payable to the Air Force Assistance Fund, 355 MSS/DPMS, 5260 E. Granite Street, STE 15 Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 85707-3009. Jack was loved by all who knew him and will be missed by all. Visitation will be on Friday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. services will be at EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY, November 8th at 11:00 a.m."
2003-03-31 Jacob Frazier FOX News, API: BAGRAM, Afghanistan — Rebel fighters fired more than a dozen rockets and mortars at U.S. military positions in eastern Afghanistan, prompting an air strike that left at least two attackers dead, an Army spokesman said Monday. The mortar and rocket fire missed their marks, and no U.S. soldiers were injured, Col. Roger King told reporters at Bagram Air Base, the headquarters of the U.S.-led coalition north of Kabul. The attacks Sunday came a day after an ambush in southern Helmand province killed two U.S. servicemen, the first American combat deaths in Afghanistan since December and a sign rebel activity is increasing after the start of the war in Iraq. A U.S base near the town of Shkin, in the eastern Paktika province, came under fire by about a dozen 82 mm mortar rounds, King said. Soldiers spotted three vehicles leaving the area and called in air support from a Marine AV-8 Harrier jet and two Apache helicopter
gunships. The Harrier dropped a 1,000-pound, laser-guided bomb into the cluster of vehicles, King said. The Apaches did not fire any weapons. "The initial battle damage assessment was that we killed two individuals associated with these vehicles," King said. Separately, assailants fired two rockets at a U.S. post in the eastern town of Gardez, in neighboring Paktia province. No one was injured. In addition, a rocket was fired at the Kabul Military Training Center late Sunday in the capital, King said. The attack came about the same time as a rocket hit the headquarters of the international peacekeeping force that patrols Kabul. No injuries were reported. "It was a busy night," King said. Afghan authorities say Taliban, their Al Qaeda allies and forces loyal to a renegade rebel commander are behind the attacks. Saturday’s attack in the southern province of Helmand was the first fatal encounter for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since December. A Special Forces soldier and an airman were killed and another Special Forces trooper wounded when their four-vehicle convoy was ambushed on a reconnaissance patrol. Three Afghan soldiers also were wounded. The Americans killed were identified by U.S. authorities and family members as Army Special Forces Sgt. Orlando Morales, 33, of Manati, Puerto Rico and Staff Sgt. Jacob L. Frazier, 24, a member of the Illinois Air National Guard from St. Charles, Ill. The ambush took place two days after an international Red Cross worker was killed in neighboring Kandahar province. The region is the birthplace of the hardline Taliban regime driven from power by U.S.-led forces in late 2001. U.S. forces and Afghan militia have been conducting sweeps in Kandahar province — and such offensives often spur more rebel activity. Hundreds of coalition forces swept into the Helmand Valley last month for Operation Viper, and patrols of the perilous area continue. The ambush was part of an "uptick" in rebel activity following the start of the Iraq war about 10 days ago, he said. Posters supposedly written by the Taliban’s elusive leader Mullah Mohammed Omar have recently appeared in eastern Afghanistan renewing his call for a holy war against U.S. troops and Afghans who work with them. "Whenever the non-Muslims attack a Muslim land it is the duty of everyone to raise against the aggressor," said the posters, which carried the signatures of 600 Islamic clerics. "We were blamed for Usama bin Laden because they said he was a terrorist and he was taking shelter with us. But what is the fault of Iraq? Iraq has no Usama bin Laden in his country," it said
2003-04-25 Raymond Losano Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano, 24, of Del Rio, Texas, died of wounds received April 25 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Losano was a tactical air command and control specialist assigned to the 14th Air Support Operation Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (Pages from the Funeral program
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2003-06-25 Michael B Karlek MSgt Michael B Karlek, age 40, died wednesday June 25 2003 at his Temple Texas Residence. Memorial service with full military honors will be held 2pm, Monday June 30 2003 at the 25th Street Chapel on Battalion Avenue at Ft Hood. Internment with full military honors will be at Ft Sam Huston in San Antonio Texas at a later date. Michael was born in Pittsburt Pa. He enlisted in the Air Force in September 1980 and remained active until his death. As part of the nations overwhelming response to terrorism after September 11, 2001, Michael deployed in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom" to Bagram Air Base Afghanistan and "Iraqi Freedom" invasion forces. During his military career he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and Army achievement medal. Survivors are his wife, Andrea Karlek of Temple, Stepson Jeffrey Sebestyen of Temple, his parents, Shirley and Charles Karlek of Tucson Az and one brother, Bill Karlek and two sisters, Jennifer Billotte and Betsy Cole all of Tucson Az. A grandmother Anita Karlek, two nieces Amanda Roberts and Caitlyn Billotte, three nephews, Matthew Karlek, Mark Karlek and Mitchell Karlek also survive
2003-07-31 Darryl Burress Passed away for unknown cause
2003-10-11 James Murphy James passed away due to a motorcycle accident. He is survived by his wife and two children ages 4 and 8.
2004-12-04 Adam Warner Passed away in Brazil
2005-06-23 Jim Hudson SMSgt Jim Hudson passed away today at 1436 hrs due to complications brought on by throat cancer treatments. He was 64. Jim was the survivor of numerous incursions into Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War
2005-09-29 Dennis Hay Dennis was a former ranger ETAC and Pararescueman CW2 Dennis Hay was killed in action on 29 september. He was killed while piloting a oh-58. He was shot once in the neck by small arms fire. The co-pilot was also wounded. Despite his injury dennis was able to help the co-pilot land the 58. The co-pilot survived his wounds. Dennis was an outstanding pilot, he was pilot in command rated and was a graduate of the instructor course. Dennis was selected for TF160 and was going to PCS when he returned from this deployment..
2006-02-28 Floyd “two dogs” Matthews Two Dogs passed away. Unknown cause
2006-03-24 Frank Purcell Passed away. Unknown cause
2006-06-27 Robert V Stevenson Jr age 46, of 14060 Toot Place Lane died at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born July 24, 1959, in East Liverpool, Ohio, the son of Robert V. Sr. and Janice (Laughlin) Stevenson. He married Marcia Giles on June 30, 1979, in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Tony Stevenson of San Diego, Calif.; one daughter, Jessica Stevenson at home; his stepparents, Harold and Noreen Hand of Peoria; one brother, Todd (Jennifer) Hand of Spring Bay; one sister, Melissa (Brian) Despines of Creve Coeur; and stepsisters, Heidi and Heather.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
He served 23 years in the military and was a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy. He was a member and served as quartermaster for the past 15 years for Lewistown VFW Post 5001, and was a member of Lewistown American Legion Bishop Post 1.
Cremation will be accorded. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lewistown High School Auditorium, with Pastor Dana McNeil officiating, and military rites accorded by his VFW and American Legion posts. There will be no visitation. The family will greet friends at the Lewistown VFW Post immediately following the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to his VFW post or American Legion post. Henry-Lange Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
2006-09-26 Pat McCroary Pat passed away from a heart attack. I knew pat from back in the early 90’s. Always a strong leader and advocate for his airmen. He was working as a contractor at the ASOC at Ft Polk.
From JD Lyles, SAIC Program Manager…
It is with deep sadness and heavy heart that I write to tell you, one of our Warrior ASOC Team Members, Patrick M. McCroary passed away yesterday (Friday, 22 Sep 06) at his home in Leesville, Louisiana after an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife Dawn, his daughter Katherine, and his two sons Sean Patrick and Dennis.
Pat was a true patriot who unselfishly served our nation in peace time and in combat for over 21 years. He excelled in all of the tasks and missions assigned to him throughout his career as an Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller and Non-Commissioned Officer. Rising to the pinnacle of his career field, Pat was a leader in many combat coded organizations as an instructor, chief of standardization and evaluation, Fighter Duty Technician and as the Superintendent of two prestigious squadrons. He was assigned to the 3rd Bde, 3rd ID in Germany; 1st Bde, 9th ID Fort Lewis WA; 602d ASOC Germany; 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY; 604th Mobile ASOC, Camp Red Cloud Korea; 548th CTS; Detachment 1, and later at the 21st ASOS at Fort Polk LA. After his honorable service in the USAF, Patrick continued his outstanding duty to his country as a Defense Contractor with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in the capacity of a Tactical Analysis Technician and Subject Matter Expert in Close Air Support and Air Ground Operations with the Warrior ASOC at Fort Polk.
Pat will be missed by all who knew and loved him. May God bless him and rest his soul in peace & bless and watch over his family.
Details of the service’s date, time and location will be provided as they become available.
Dawn McCroary
203 KVVP Drive
Leesville, LA 71446
2006-10-09 Donald Brown Not alot of details here. What is known is that he passed away due to a gunshot. His wife was also killed in the same manner at the same time. If anyone has any further details let me know
2006-10-12 Blaine Anderson Blaine passed away while undergoing surgery. No further details are known
2008-07-02 John Bartman Unknown cause of death
2008-07-09 Martin Jollie At 1003 Mountain time, our friend Martin “Jolly” Jollie passed away from complications from cancer
2009-07-12 David “Duke” Marmolejo Duke passed away at approx 2120. Duke was placed on the terminal list a few days ago with Lymphoma cancer. According to the docs it was through out his body. He passed away surrounded by family and friends. From his memorial
2010-05-19 Harper, Robert Bob passed away after a massive coronary. According to Dee, his xwife, bob had significant blockages in his arteries.
2010-01-03 Smith, Bradley On 3 January 2010, SrA Bradly Smith and SrA Michael Malarsie from the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft Riley were on patrol with their Army Company in southern Afghanistan when the company was ambushed with small arms, indirect fires and improvised explosive devices (IED). During the attack, SrA Bradley Smith was killed in action in with three Army soldiers. SrA Michael Malarsie was also wounded during the attack and is currently in stable condition at Bagram AB. He will soon be heading to Landstuhl Hospital Germany. Flickr Photo from the Memorial
AF News - Memorial
Emerald Coast news article - Memorial
Hurlburt Field AF News - TACPs prepare for memorial
AFCENT Public affairs - World Wide Memorial
