Casualties of the
20th Engineers (Task Force Lumberjack)
in the Afghanistan Campaign
As patriotic Americans, we salute the achievements of our beloved heroes and will forever remember their sacrifices.
The 20th Engineers, as Task Force Lumberjack, lost 17 soldiers during the Afghanistan campaign: 4 were killed at Fort Hood and 13 died in Afghanistan.
21 August 2010: Spec. Alexis Maldonado, 510th Engineer Company, Killed in Action
From the Battalion Commander: Dear LUMBERJACK family and friends, it is with great regret that I must inform you of the tragic loss of SPC Alexis Maldonado, from 3rd PLT, 510th. SPC Maldonado was killed on August 21st when his patrol came under fire. He is survived by his son, Isaiah, his fiance, Baroncia, and his parents, Jesse & Alicia. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for your continued support.
5 March 2010: Spec. Alan Dikcis, 630th Engineer Company, Killed in Action
On 5 March 2010, Specialist Alan Dikcis of the 630th Engineer Company was killed when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. The 630th Engineer Company, attached to the 20th Engineers from Fort Drum, had been actively participating in operations to push the Taliban out of the Marjah region of Afghanistan.
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630th Engineer Company at Memorial Ceremony for Specialist Dikcis
The remains of Specialist Christian M. Adams (Forward Support Company, 20th Engineer Battalion) arrive at Dover Air Force Base. SPC Adams died on 11 June 2010 from wounds associated with a noncombat-related incident.
21 June 2010: Spec. Scott Andrews, 618th Engineer Company, Killed in Action
In a message from LTC Peter Andrysiak, the battalion commander, "To our LUMBERJACK friends and family, it is with great sadness that we announce the death of SPC Scott Andrews, a member of the 618th Engineer Support Company (Airborne) attached to the 20th Engineer Battalion. SPC Andrews was killed by an IED strike while on a route clearance mission yesterday in Zabul Province. He was assigned to the 618th Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion on October 2, 2008. He was constantly recognized by his peers and leaders for his motivation and knowledge. His family has been notified; please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. SPC Andrews will be missed by all.
618th Engineer Company (Airborne)
14 July 2010: Four Soldiers of the 618th Engineer Company, Killed in Action
Sgt. Chase Stanley
Sgt. Zachary Fisher
Spec. Jesse Reed
Spec. Matthew Johnson
In a 17 July 2010 message from LTC Peter Andrysiak, the battalion commander, "On Wednesday [14 July 2010] Task Force LUMBERJACK lost four heroes from the 618th Engineer Support Company from Fort Bragg, NC. Please pray for their families as they endure through these troubling times. Also pray for SPC Adam Keys and his family as he continues to recover from his wounds. Their memorial ceremony was held today at FOB Lagman, we will post a memorial tribute in the near future." The fallen soldiers were
- Sgt. Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, Calif.
Memorial Ceremony for Soldiers from 618th Engineer Company
24 July 2010: Four Soldiers of C Battery, 5-3 Field Artillery, Killed in Action
Staff Sgt. Conrad Mora
Sgt. Daniel Lim
Spc. Joseph Bauer
Pfc. Andrew Hand
In a 24 July 2010 message from LTC Peter Andrysiak, the battalion commander, "To our family and friends: It is with great regret that I inform you of the loss of 4 Soldiers from C 5/3 of Ft. Lewis. They died when their vehicle struck an IED while on patrol early this morning. A fifth Soldier, SPC Tim Martin from 510th [Engineer Company, Fort Hood], was injured, but is currently stable and receiving excellent care. Please keep the families of our fallen heroes in your prayers, as we also wish SPC Martin a speedy recovery." The fallen soldiers were
- Staff Sgt. Conrad Mora, age 24, from San Diego. This was his second tour in Afghanistan. As the vehicle commander he set the example for his Soldiers to emulate.
- Sgt. Daniel Lim, age 23, from Cypress, Calif. He was a father figure to many of the younger soldiers in the platoon.
- Spc. Joseph Bauer, age 27 from Cincinnati. He joined the military in 2007, and this was his first deployment. His platoon counted on him to make tough decisions and use sound judgment on a daily basis.
- Pfc. Andrew Hand, age 25, from Georgia was the vehicle driver. He previously deployed with the National Guard twice- to Iraq and Kuwait before switching to active duty.
Memorial Ceremony for Soldiers from C Battery, 5-3 Field Artillery
Ramp Ceremony As deceased soldiers are loaded into an aircraft destined for Dover AFB, the battalion conducts a "Ramp Ceremony":
26 September 2010: Two Soldiers of the 584th Engineer Company, Killed in Action
Sgt. Mark Simpson
Spec. Scott Morrison
In a 26 September 2010 message from LTC Peter Andrysiak, the battalion commander, "Family & friends, it is with great sorrow that I must inform you of the loss of SGT Mark Simpson and SPC Scott Morrison of 584th. Our hearts go out their families, please keep them in your prayers. Two others were injured, SGT Daniel Krause & SPC Steven Heberlein, but are both doing well." The fallen soldiers were
- Sergeant Mark Simpson, age 40, from Peoria, Illinois.
SGT Simpson was born on February 3, 1970, to George and Carol Simpson. The youngest of five children, he attended and graduated from Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois. After school he went on to pursue careers in many locations across the U.S. He worked in construction in Colorado, as a sheiff in El Paso, and as a bailiff in Colorado Springs.
In December of 2004 he enlisted in the Army as a combat engineer and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then assigned to Fort Drum, NY, with the 10th Mountain Division. In August of 2006, he deployed to Iraq as a Husky Operator for Task Force Iron Claw operating in a volatile region known as the "Triangle of Death". In March 2008 he transferred to Fort Hood to serve with the 20th Engineer Battalion. He was assigned to the 584th Mobility Augmentation Company and deployed to Afghanistan in January 2010. He died September 26, 2010, when his patrol struck an IED.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign medal with Campaign Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Aletha, and their three daughters, Shantallia, Krystin, and Jamie.
- SPC Donald "Scott" Morrison was born on October 27, 1986. He grew up in Cincinnati, OH, graduating from Sycamore High School. He enlisted in the Army as a combat engineer in October of 2008 and attended Bacis Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then assigned to the 584th Mobility Augmentation Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, at Fort Hood, TX.
In his spare time, he was a sports fanatic who loved to play football, softball, and soccer. He was an adiv Bengals fan, and he followed professional Soccer Religiously. He loved his home state and maintained close contact with his family and many friends back home.
He was an extremely valuable and versatile Soldier. He was an accomlished vehicle operator, gunner, and sapper with the 584th. He was more than just a good Soldier to members of his unit; he was a true friend. He was always there to help anyone with their problems, personal or professional. He took pride in his team, and truly believed in his mission. He died on September 26, 2010, when his patrol struck an IED.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
He is survived by his parents, Donald Sr. and Susan Morrison, his brother Gary, and his sister Katie.
Memorial Ceremony for Sgt. Simpson and Spec. Morrison, 584th Engineer Company
Soldiers of the 20th Engineers salute their fallen brothers
- Pfc. Aaron Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah. He was assigned to the 510th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
- Pfc. Michael Pearson, 22, of Bolinbrook, Ill. He was assigned to the 510th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
- Spc. Kham Xiong, 23, of St. Paul, Minn. He was assigned to the 510th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
- Spc. Frederick Greene, 29, of Mountain City, Tenn. Greene was assigned to the 510th Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion.
Nemelka graduated from high school and enlisted in the military in the same year -- 2008. He was set to deploy to Afghanistan in January, his family told CNN affiliate KUTV. Nemelka, the youngest of four children, was happy to offer his service, the family said in a letter read aloud by Lt. Col. Lisa Olsen of the National Guard to KUTV.
"Aaron was very happy as a combat engineer. He was anxious to be deployed to Afghanistan in January."
Family members said they were devastated by their loss.
Nemelka's uncle, Maj. Michael Blades, read a statement from his nephew's family.
"Aaron was very proud to serve in the military," Blades said, adding that many others in his family had also served in the armed forces.
"His mission is completed in this life. He now serves a higher calling in heaven," Blades read. "We love him, we miss him, and we look forward to that glorious day when the family will be reunited with him."
Nemelka had a girlfriend and he may have had plans to marry her, KUTV reported.
Mother of Aaron Nemelka, Teena Nemelka, hugs the picture of Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah, and touches the boots of the fallen soldier memorial.
Michael Pearson, 22, enlisted in the Army more than a year ago to realize his musical dream. He hoped the military would be his path to college, where he could study musical theory, his brother Kristopher Craig told CNN affiliate WGN-TV in Chicago, Illinois. "He was a genius as far as we were concerned," Craig told WGN-TV, reeling from the news that his 21-year-old "little kid brother" was dead.
"He was really living his life playing guitar," Craig said. "When he picked up a guitar, we all understood that he was expressing himself."
Pearson was scheduled to deploy either to Iraq or Afghanistan in January, his brother said. He was learning to deactivate bombs and training in the Mojave Desert, said his mother, Sheryll Pearson. She was looking forward to seeing her son at Christmas.
He was shot three times in the spine and chest and died on the operating table, she said, according to TV affiliates in Chicago.
"His father is still in shock and very angry," Sheryll Pearson said. "We're all very angry."
Craig, who also had been stationed at Fort Hood and now serves in the Illinois National Guard, said he cannot accept a fellow soldier gunned down his brother.
"It's unfathomable," he said. "I couldn't imagine something like that -- attacking another soldier. It's just ridiculous. I don't understand it."
A dogtag belonging to PFC Michael Pearson, at the Memorial Ceremony at Fort Hood
Kham Xiong, 23, was preparing for his first deployment since joining the Army, his sister told CNN affiliate KARE. Xiong enlisted last year and was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in January, Mee Xiong said.
She thinks her brother was at the site of the shooting because he was getting a medical checkup and vaccinations, she said.
With another brother serving in Afghanistan, the news of Kham Xiong's death is "hard on the family," his sister said.
"He is a loving person, everyone loves him and adores him," Mee Xiong told KARE. Xiong was the father of three children.
[It is also reported that Xiong's father fought against the communists in Laos.]
The family of Kham Xiong at the Fort Hood Memorial Ceremony
Soldiers and Colors of the 20th Engineers honoring their fallen brothers