Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Perez

Age: 19
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 9/3/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq

Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Twentynine Palms, CA

Family-Placed Obituary

Marine Lance Corporal Embraced in the arms of God and countless angels, Marine Lance Corporal Nicholas Samuel Valdez Perez died on Friday, September 3, 2004. Lance Corporal Perez was killed in action while conducting a military maneuver in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, an extremely hostile combat zone. Nicholas was born to Yolanda Valdez and Samuel Perez on July 6, 1985. Nicholas was an extremely happy child known to all by his big grin and trusting demeanor. From a very young age, the saying ``He knew no strangers' was an apt description for this young toddler. Nicholas was born and reared in Austin, Texas. As he grew into school age, Nicholas attended Sanchez Elementary School, and Kealing Middle School. His educational progress took him to LBJ High School and later, Travis High School. He achieved graduation honors from Travis High School in May, 2003. Nicholas's fierce wish was to have a career in the military and to serve his country. Since the age of nine, he verbalized his strong desire to have a life in the United States Marine Corp. Upon identifying that goal, Nicholas actively began seeking and receiving any training that was related to the military. Nicholas began his pursuit by becoming a Boy Scout, culminating in the honor of receiving The Merit Life Badge. Nicholas's decision to transfer from one high school to another was based on his desire to enroll in the ROTC program. Nicholas was firm in his belief of his life's calling and never wavered. Nicholas was active in the community and in school. Some of the activities that he treasured most were his service as an altar boy, his active volunteerism for Clean-up Austin, his repeated participation in the Texas Beach Coast Clean-up, and his participation as a host for the Dennis Quaid Celebrity Golf Tournament. Nicholas was a gifted athlete and participated in various sports. From the age of four, Nicholas developed a love for baseball when he began playing in the Pee Wee League. His affinity for this sport continued as he participated in Little League Baseball. He played on organized teams at LBJ High School and at Travis High School. During his senior year at Travis, Nicholas had the pleasure of being on the winning team that earned them the Second Place District Title in 2003. That competition ended with Nicholas and his teammates as the proud participants in the Bi-District Play-offs. All knew Nicholas as an experienced outfielder with valued competency at any position. Nicholas's second love was golf. As a freshman at LBJ High School, he earned a spot on the varsity team. Upon transfer to Travis High School, he easily earned a spot on their golf team. Nicholas showed such prowess that he was encouraged to seek the game professionally. Nicholas enjoyed football and found a home on various Flag Football teams. He played organized football at Kealing Middle School. Nicholas was also well respected in the arena of Intra-Mural Basketball. Nicholas was an avid competitor in PlayStation 2 games. Some of Nicholas's other hobbies included fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, dancing, visiting with friends at the mall and arcade, experiencing new foods and restaurants, and going to the movies. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed the family vacations. Most of all, he enjoyed visiting with and doing all he could for his Mother and Grandmothers. However, the majority of his free time was spent with his best friend, who is also his sister. Nicholas joined the Marine Corp in July, 2003. Although his tenure was young, he excelled in his performance and commitment to his career. He earned an Expert Rifleman Badge. Nicholas was an honored recipient of The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, The National Defense Service Medal, and The Purple Heart. Nicholas was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal while on tour in Iraq. Nicholas's faith developed since infancy and continued growing stronger as he transitioned into adulthood. He never complained or allowed a situation to discourage him. Nicholas's unwavering faith, eternal optimism, and humble nature touched countless lives. Always offering a smile that could brighten a sun-filled room, Nicholas's life was fueled by a genuine interest in people, putting his family and many friends first. The twinkle in his eye and his smile warmed the hearts of many and ignited all those who he touched. Nicholas's legacy is the myriad of lives that he touched through his leadership, his exceptional character, his committed relationships, his honor and pride at being a Marine, and the exemplary way in which he led his life. Those who will cherish Nicholas's memory include: mother, Yolanda Valdez; father, Samuel Perez; sister, United States Marine Lance Corporal Briana Y. Perez; and paternal grandmother, Amelia Vallejo Perez; aunts, uncles, cousins, a host of great aunts and great uncles, and countless friends and extended family members. Nicholas was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Blanca G. Valdez; his maternal grandfather, Cipriano D. Valdez; and his paternal grandfather, Isabel M. Perez.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 9/12/2004.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

Lance Cpl. Roger D. Castleberry Jr.

Hometown: Austin, Texas, U.S.

Age: 26 years old

Died: August 1, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Marine Reserves


Marine from Cedar Park dies in Iraq

Dale Castleberry wanted to be a Marine since his camo-clad childhood, family recalls.

By Asher Price

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Dale Castleberry wanted to be a Marine so badly as a teenager that he transferred from Westwood High in Austin to Round Rock High after he found out Westwood had only an Air Force ROTC program.

On Monday, the 26-year-old sniper with sure hands, quick eyes and a quiet smile was killed in an ambush in a heavily fought-over area of Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Roger D. Castleberry Jr., as the Cedar Park resident was officially known, assigned to the 4th Marine Division in San Antonio, was patrolling near the town of Haditha with a small contingent of other snipers when they apparently were overcome by insurgents, according to news reports.

"He always wanted to be in the military," his sister Heather Kilpatrick said. "He was a G.I. Joe fanatic. Even when it went out of style, he would go all over town to shop for camouflage.

"He wanted to be a Marine from the get-go."

As a boy, he liked wearing camouflage so much that his parents had to assure teachers that he owned more than one outfit, his stepmother, Debbie Castleberry, said.

He had taken his initial dispatch to Iraq with guarded enthusiasm, though he had second thoughts about the length of his commitment once he saw the rough situation there, his brother, Don Castleberry, said.

"He had a very sensitive heart," Debbie Castleberry said. "He was sympathetic to the people suffering there, but most of all he wanted to protect and care for his fellow Marines.

"He's the child that if you were quiet, he would always put a hand on your back and give you a rub and ask you if you needed anything."

Marine Corps service ran in the family.

Don, his older brother, was in the service, as was an uncle, who served three tours in Vietnam. Growing up, Dale Castleberry honed his shooting skills at his grandparents' ranch.

"This is a young man that from the time he was a little kid could think of nothing better to do than to fight for his country," his stepmother said. "He hoped that by going there he could prevent the war from coming back to these shores."

Family members also remembered him for the mean tortilla soup he could cook up, his skill at cards and dominoes, and his athleticism in a swimming pool.

American officials said the six Marines were patrolling near Haditha, one of several cities along the Euphrates River said to make up a main infiltration route for guerrillas entering Iraq.

In a Web posting, Ansar al Sunna, an insurgent group, said it had killed the Marines in a "silent ambush," according to news reports.

According to The Associated Press, several masked men claiming to be insurgents appeared in the city's central market, carrying helmets, flak jackets and rifles they said had belonged to U.S. troops.

"They were on a mountain near the town, so we went up, surrounded them and asked them to surrender," the men said in a leaflet, according to The AP. "They did not surrender, so we killed them."

Besides his stepmother, sister and brother, Dale Castleberry is survived by his wife, Lauren Castleberry; his father, Roger Dale Castleberry Sr.; another sister, Cobi Fletcher; and a great-grandmother, Bertie Paddock.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

Lance Cpl. Trevor David Aston

Age: 32
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 2/22/2005
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq

Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division
Unit's Base: Austin, Texas

Trevor David Aston died in Iraq on February 22, 2005. Trevor was a U.S. Marine lance corporal assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines. Trevor was born in Wilkes-Barre, on November 6, 1972. He graduated from Irvin High School in El Paso, TX, and attended college in El Paso and Austin Texas. Trevor has called Austin home for the last 10 years.
Trevor was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Abraham and Elsie Azain and his paternal grandfather, Trevor Aston, all of Wilkes-Barre.
Trevor is survived by his mother, Jewel Ann Aston, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, presently living in Houston, TX; and by his father, Robert R. Aston and his wife, Catherine, of El Paso, TX; also living in Wilkes-Barre is Trevor's paternal grandmother, Lenore J. Aston; Trevor is also survived by longtime friend, Alfonso Hernandez, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Angelique, to whom Trevor was godfather. Trevor leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins; three step brothers and many, many very dear friends.
Trevor will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

(Source: Times Leader)

After the 2001 terrorist attacks, Trevor Aston enlisted in the Marine Reserves at the relatively advanced age of 29. "He was terribly shaken after 9/11," said his grandmother, Lenore Aston. Aston, 32, of Austin, Texas, was killed Feb. 22 in Anbar province. Aston's grandmother served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II, and his father was in the Army for 27 years. As a boy Aston lived in Texas, Germany and other locations where his father, Robert Aston, was stationed. He attended Austin Community College and had worked as a bartender and booked concert acts for a nearby nightclub. He wanted to be a firefighter either in Austin or in Houston, where his mother lives. "He was a good friend to many people," said his mother, Jewel Aston. "He was just an all-around, good, nice kid."

(Source: Associated Press)

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

Stg. Henry Ybarra III

Hometown: Austin, Texas, U.S.
Age: 32 years old
Died: September 11, 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, D Troop, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry, V Corps, Illesheim, Germany
Incident: Killed in Balad when the truck tire he was changing exploded.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

PFC Marie Priest

Age: 20
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 3/1/2006
Incident Location: Taji, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Pfc.
Unit: 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Divison
Unit's Base: Fort Hood, Texas

Family-Placed Obituary

On March 1, 2006, Tina Marie Priest, Private 1st died in Taji, Iraq. Survivors are her mother, Joy Priest of Giddings; father, Tim Priest of Smithville; and sisters, Danielle Priest (twin), Tiffany and husband Robert Reyna of Giddings; and grandmother, Beverly Priest of Smithville.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 3/8/2006.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan

Age: 40
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 6/17/2005
Incident Location: Qaim, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Master Sgt.
Unit: Special Operations Command
Unit's Base: Fort Bragg, N.C.


Family-Placed Obituary

Robert was born January 13th, 1965 in Limestone, Maine. Robert graduated in 1984 from Crockett High School in Austin, Texas. He then enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and served in 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment at Ft. Benning, Ga. In 1991 he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, NC. His last assignment was with the United States Army Special Operations Command. Robert had completed tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Master Sgt. Horrigan's awards and decorations included the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the 6th award of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Campaign Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO medal, the Ranger Tab, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Diver's Badge. Robert was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart. MSG Robert Horrigan died in Iraq on June 17th, 2005 ("Bringin' it to'em!"). Robert was the best of the best serving his country while protecting everyone's right to life and liberty. This was Robert's fifth and final tour to Iraq and was to return home in July and retire in April 2006. "Every man dies but not every man truly lives..." Robert truly lived -- for family, for nation and for the guys next to him. Robert was an avid outdoorsman and loved turkey and deer hunting, as well as fishing. He was an aspiring Bladesmith and was looking forward to obtaining his Master Smith with the American Bladesmith Society upon his retirement. His knives are cherished by many throughout the world. Robert excelled in all tasks that he pursued. Robert is preceded in death by his father, John P. Horrigan. He is survived by his wife, Denise, daughter, Courtney of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and his mother, Mary Horrigan of Belfast, Maine. He leaves a sister, Lisa Shine of Dayton, Ohio, twin brother, John, of Burnet, Texas, and younger brother, Daniel of Austin. He leaves five nephews, John Matthew Horrigan, Jack Shine, Paul Schwenk, Daniel and Timmy England; along with eight nieces, Karissa Reed, Sarah Brown, Kacey Schwenk; Jenny, Kate and Tori Hassmann and Danielle and Krystal Horrigan who all admired him.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 6/24/2005.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

Lance Cpl. Dominic Christopher Brown

Age: 19
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 9/13/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Family-Placed Obituary

Marine Lance Corporal Dominic Christopher Brown, age 19, passed away on Monday, September 13, 2004. Lance Corporal Brown was killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq where he had been serving his country for only two weeks. Dominic was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Dominic was born to Ken and Brigette Brown on August 18, 1985, in San Antonio, TX, and was a 2003 graduate of Westwood High School. Those who will cherish Dominic's memory include his beloved mother, Brigette, of Austin; his father, Ken, of Austin; his brother and best friend, Stewart, of Austin; his grandparents, Hank and Judy Brown, of San Antonio; grandmother, Martha Gale Robbins, of Little Rock, AR; his great- grandfather, Tom Robbins, of San Antonio; and his great-grandparents, Hank and Sophie Brown of San Antonio. Dominic is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Dominic was preceded in death by his grandparents, Patrick and Marinell Crawley. Dominic was a loving, caring, devoted son, brother and friend. He always had a smile that could light up a room and loved to show his quiet but mischievous personality. He touched many people with his love of life, his caring concern for others, his easy, outgoing personality and his ability to create laughter in all situations. Dominic was a natural artist and pursued his love of art during his years at Westwood High School. From a very young age Dominic's desire was to serve his country as a Marine. He studied hard and worked towards this goal, joining the Marines soon after he graduated from Westwood High. Although his service to his country was short, he excelled in his performance and commitment to his career. While in boot camp Dominic was selected as a squad leader. When he continued his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, Dominic was chosen by his peers to receive the Gung Ho award for displaying superior motivation and leadership. Dominic was an honored recipient of The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and The National Defense Service Medal. Dominic's legacy is reflected in the lives that he touched through his leadership, his exceptional character, his committed relationships, his pride and honor at being a Marine, and the exemplary way in which he led his life.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 9/19/2004.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post

LCPL Nickalous Neil Aldrich

Age: 21
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 8/27/2004
Incident Location: Anbar province, Iraq
Branch of Military: Marines
Rank: Lance Cpl.
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Unit's Base: Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Family-Placed Obituary

LCPL Nickalous Neil Aldrich, ``PUG', age 21, was born on August 12, 1983 in Amarillo, TX, to Jonna and Vern Aldrich. He joined the United States Marine Corps on June 4, 2001, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. While proudly serving his country, he lost his life while fighting in Iraq, on August 27, 2004. Nickalous was a ``2001' Graduated from Lanier High School in Austin, TX. He attended church at Trinity Baptist Church in Austin since age 4. During his high school years, he was a member of the FFA. He is survived by his mother, Jonna Aldrich; father, Vern Aldrich; brother, John David Alley; and sister, Jennifer Alley; grandparents, LeRoy and Rose Aldrich; along with other relatives and many friends. He is very much loved and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Jacquelin Lynam.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 9/2/2004.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post