Fallen Heroes

Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation New Dawn

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SGTE Nicole L. Gee, USMC 

from Sacramento, CA age: 23

SACRAMENTO CA 24TH MEU, CLR 27, 2D MLG, CAMP LEJEUNE

Died: 26 AUG 2021, Kabul, Afghanistan

Gee was one of 13 US service members killed in a terrorist attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday that left more than 170 other people dead. At least 20 US Marines were among the hundreds of people wounded.

Just six days earlier, Gee had posted a photo onInstagram, which was also posted on the Department of Defense'ssocial media pages, showing her holding an Afghan infant. Gee captioned the photo, "I love my job."

SGT Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC

from Lawrence MA age 25

CE 5TH MEB, MARFOR, CENTCOM 

Died: 26 Aug 21, Kabul Afghanistan

Rosario, 25, was among 13 U.S. service members killed in an Aug. 26 suicide bombing outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital Kabul. She was helping to screen evacuees at a checkpoint at the airport's Abbey Gate when the bomb ripped through a crowd. She became a supply chief, a role usually held by a more senior noncommissioned officer, according to the Marines, and volunteered to be a member of the female engagement team to interact with Afghan women.  She is survived by her mother and younger sister.

 

Major Phyllis Pelky, USAF

From Rio Ranchos, NM Age 45

USAFA, CO

Died: 11 OCT 15, Kabul Afghanistan

While serving with a Train, Advise, Assist Command, Major Pelky died in the non-hostile crash of a British Puma Mk2 helicopter. She was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Major Pelky was an assistant professor of German and an aide-de-camp at the USAF.  She is survived by her husband, two sons, and six siblings.

SRA Kcey Ruiz, USAF

From McDonough, GA, Age 21

66th Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA

Died 2 OCT 15, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Senior Airman Ruiz died when when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in which she was riding crashed.  A member of the Fly Away Security Team, she served on 52 combat missions.  She is survived by her parents, both of whom served in the USMC.

 

Major Kelliann Leli, USAF

from Parlin NJ, age 30

60TH HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS SQUADRON, TRAVIS AFB, CA 

Did 27 NOV 20, Al Dharfra AB, UAE

Kelli earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy and graduated from Rutgers Medical School. In 2018, she was named Travis Air Force Base’s Family Medicine ‘Resident of the Year’. She is survived by her husband, who is an USAF pilot.

Major Adrianna Vorderbruggen, USAF

from Bogota, Columbia, age 36

9th Field Investigations Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL

Died: 21 Dec 15 in Bajawri Village, Afghanistan

Major Vorderbruggen was a US Air Force Academy graduate, who was selected to be a special agent. She enjoyed sports, and participated in many Tough Mudders and Ragnar relays. While deployed as a Commander in 2015, she was killed when a motorcyclist detonated a exposive device, killing 6 people. She is survived by her wife and their son

 

Major Maria “Vicky” Sanchez, USAF

From Bakersfield CA, Ag 43

60th Medical Support Squadron, Travis AFB

Died 26 FEB 15, Bakersfied, CA

Major Sanchez enlisted into the USAF Reserves in 1998 and attended Cal State Bakersfield, where she obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing. She returned to Active Duty in as 2nd Lieutenant Nurse, and also obtained an MBA. She served one tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one tour in Afghanistan as a Trauma Nurse and a total of 24 years in the USAF.  Vicky was a marathon runner and a proud mom to three children. She died after a battle with cancer, and is survived by her children, parents, and siblings.

Petty Officer Second Class Dominique Cruz, USN 

from Panama City, FL  Age: 26

Stationed aboard the USS Halsey (Homeport: San Diego, CA)

Died: 18 Jan 11, Gulf of Oman, Fifth Fleet area of operations

PO2 Cruz was reported missing from the USS HALSEY on Jan 18. After an extensive search and rescue effort by multiple helicopters, her body was found in the Gulf of Oman later that day.