Westmoreland County connected Fallen Heroes who are Veterans of the Global War on Terror.
Army Staff Sergeant Stevon A. Booker – 4/5/2003
Army Specialist Eric R. Hull – 8/18/2003
Army Sergeant Nicholas A. Tomko – 11/9/2003
Army Private First Class Richard “Rick” William Hafer, Jr – 11/15/2003
Army Specialist William R. Sturges, Jr. – 1/24/2004
Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry – 9/20/2004
Army Private First Class Aaron James Rusin – 10/11/2004
Marine Corps Sergeant Lonny D. Wells – 11/9/2004
Army Staff Sergeant Thor H. Ingraham – 5/8/2005
Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh – 4/2/2006
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger A. Napper, Jr. – 10/6/2006
Army Sergeant Jason A. Shaffer – 4/5/2007
Air Force Staff Sergeant David A. Wieger – 11/1/2007
Army Sergeant First Class Robert J. Fike – 6/11/2010
Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher K. Raible – 9/15/2012
Navy Chief Petty Officer Nicolas D. Checque – 12/8/2012
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew P. Ruffner – 4/9/2013
Army Sergeant Jason M. McClary – 12/2/2018
Marine Corps Sergeant Vinson Alan Pelisari – 11/18/2020
Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Tyler J. Sansonetti – 3/21/2022
Thank You and God Bless You All
Home of the Free, Because of the Brave, Freedom Isn’t Free
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Stevon Alexander Booker
Remembering today and always, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Stevon Alexander Booker, who made the ultimate sacrifice on April 5, 2003, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the raid, Booker’s platoon came under heavy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Booker immediately reacted – he communicated the situation to his chain-of-command, returned fire with his mounted machinegun and reassured his crew that they would make it to their objective.
When his crew machinegun malfunctioned, Booker completely disregarded his personal safety and took up an exposed prone position on the top of his tank. While still engaged by heavy enemy fire, Booker maintained communication with his platoon, accurately destroyed an enemy vehicle and effectively protected his platoon’s flank.
Booker continued to engage the enemy and protect his platoon while exposed for nearly five miles until he was fatally wounded.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Stevon Alexander Booker
Birth: 16 Sep 1968
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA
Death: 5 Apr 2003 (aged 34)
Baghdad, Iraq
Burial: West View Cemetery
Avonmore, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA
U.S. Army Sergeant Eric Raymond Hull
Remembering today and always, U.S. Army Sergeant Eric Raymond Hull, who made the ultimate sacrifice on August 18, 2003, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Army Sergeant Eric R Hull died on August 18, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving and assigned to the 99th Regional Support Command’s 307th Military Police Company, U.S. Army Reserves, New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, as the result of wounds sustained from injuries he received from an IED (improvised explosive device) blast from which the vehicle he was in hit as they were returning from the airport with supplies. Hull was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.
Sergeant Eric R. Hull was the son of Deborah and Raymond Hull, born on April 28, 1980. Sergeant Hull was from Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Uniontown High School in 1998 and also graduated from Westmoreland County Community College. Hull was a Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout before turning 18 years old and went on to achieve three additional Eagle Palms. Hull was a former chef at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, PA, and was a food service director for the Central Greene School District when he was called to active duty to their mobilization site at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Eric Hull’s true talent was definitely in the kitchen. His family said that he liked to follow his mother, aunts, and grandmother around in the kitchen. Sometimes, he would surprise his family with fresh-baked whole wheat bread. And his mother will say, “He made the best Alfredo you’ll ever taste.”
Sergeant Hull was survived by his beloved wife, Missy DeFabbo Hull, and their children Mia Nicole and Dominic; his parents, Raymond (July 26, 2019) & Deborah Hull; and his sister, Ashley Turbi.
U.S. Army Sergeant Eric R. Hull
Birth: 28 August 1980
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 18 August 2003 (age 23)
Baghdad, Iraq
Burial: Lafayette Memorial Park in Brier Hill, Pennsylvania, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you, Sergeant Eric R. Hull, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary
Remembering today and always, U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary, who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 2, 2018, while serving during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary died on December 2, 2018, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, while serving and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO, as the result of wounds sustained from injuries he received on November 27, 2018, from an IED (improvised explosive device) blast, which struck a convoy of U.S. and Afghan forces in the Ghazni Province’s Andar District in Afghanistan en route to battle Taliban fighters. Sergeant McClary was an up-armored vehicle assistant gunner and was a driver of this combat movement of Special Forces soldiers traveling on Highway 1.
Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary was the son of JoLynn P. Maiolie, born on August 13, 1994. Sergeant McClary was originally from Export, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Kiski Area High School in 2013. While attending school he trained to be a machinist. After his graduation, it was finally time to enlist, but due to several health reasons, Jason has turned away. But after months of working hard to get healthy, Jason Mitchell McClary enlisted in January 2014 as an infantryman and fulfilled his dream of joining the United States Army, excited to finally serve his country and do the job he was meant for. Over the span of four-and-a-half years, Sergeant McClary had also served in Iraq from May 2016 to January 2017.
Sergeant McClary was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal with Service Device, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with Combat Service, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Service, Combat Infantry Badge and the Air Assault Badge..
Sergeant McClary was survived by his beloved wife, Lillie Renee Ashbaugh McClary and their two sons Jett Isaac and Jason James McClary; his parents, Raymond & Jolynn Maiolie; his brother, Jeffrey and sister-in-law, Katrina Ritter; his sister, Jennifer and brother-in-law Jason Lorent; his parents-in-law, Eric Ashbaugh and Lillie (Mike) Ayers; brothers-in-law, Eric and Ryan Ashbaugh; and sisters-in-law, Autumn and Faith Ashbaugh, and Kim Nielsen.
U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary
Birth: 13 August 1994
Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 2 December 2018 (age 24)
Landstuhl, Landkreis Kaiserslautern, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Burial: National Cemetery of the Alleghenies
Cecil, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you, Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry
Remembering today and always, U.S. Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry, who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 20, 2004, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry died on Monday, September 20, 2004, in Sharqat Iraq, while serving and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, as the result of injuries sustained when his convoy was attacked by small-arms fire.
Specialist Joshua J. Henry was born on December 27 1982 , in Salt Lake City, Utah . The son of Larry G and Perri S Justice Henry. Army Specialist Henry was of Avonmore, PA. Army Specialist Henry was a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School before he graduated in 2001. Friends said Joshua Henry was an exceptional center and defensive tackle. He joined the Army after graduating and served in Germany and Kosovo before going to Iraq in January.
Joshua is survived by his parents, Larry G. and Perri S. Justice Henry of Apollo; three brothers, Larry G. (Christy) Henry Jr. of Leechburg, Jerrad J.R. Henry and Julian L. Henry, both of Apollo; and four sisters, Jody L. Henry of Vandergrift, Jessica R. Henry and Melanie J. Henry, both of Leechburg, and Jasmine C. Henry of Pittsburgh. Also surviving are his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Phillippi; his maternal grandmother, Earlene Justice.
U.S. Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry
Birth: December 27 1982
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Death: September 20, 2004 (age 21)
Sharqat, Iraq
Burial: Riverview Cemetery
Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you, Army Specialist Joshua J. Henry, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Private First Class Aaron James Rusin
Birth: 12 Jan 1985
Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA
Baghdad, Iraq
Armagh, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells
Remembering today and always, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells, who made the ultimate sacrifice on November 9, 2004, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells died on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, in Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq, while serving and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, as the result of wounds sustained from enemy action of Iraqi insurgents on Highway Ten in Fallujah.
Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells was the son of Yvonne Lynn and Lawrence Wells, Sr., born on January 10, 1975, in Kittanning, PA. Sergeant Wells was from Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA and a graduate of the Class of 1994 from Kiski Area High School. Ever since he was a little boy, Wells knew he would be a Marine. He was an athletic, friendly kid growing up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Vandergrift. Living in the Steel City didn’t hinder his passionate zeal for the Dallas Cowboys. Wells was a good student who also excelled in playing football and baseball, loved singing Kenny Rogers songs in the car, and he loved the Marines.
As an instructor for Marine Combat Training, Sergeant Wells made an incredible impact on those around him. His energy and professionalism inspired many young Marines, he was a true role model. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him and serve. Wells had been in the Marine Corps for eight years and served in Kosovo, France, Spain, and Germany. He had been in Iraq since June and was scheduled to come home in January.
Sergeant Wells was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Sergeant Wells was survived by his wife, Jennifer Wells of Jacksonville, NC; two sons, Lonny Jr. and Daylon Wells of Apollo, PA; three daughters, Dominique White and Jade Wells of Jacksonville, NC, and Marissa Wells of Vandergrift, PA; his mother, Yvonne Lynn Weston Wells of Vandergrift, PA; his father, Lawrence Wells, Sr. of Amarillo, TX; his brother, Lawrence Wells, Jr. of Indiana, PA; his sister, Army Sergeant Angela Ackles of Fort Hood, TX; his half-brother, Adam Wells of Amarillo, TX; and his half-sister, Amandya Wells of Amarillo, TX.
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells
Birth: 10 February 1975
Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 9 November 2004 (age 29)
Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, US
Thank you, Sergeant Lonny Dion Wells, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr.
Remembering today and always, U.S. Army Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr., who made the ultimate sacrifice on January 24, 2004, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Army Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr. died on Saturday, January 24, 2004, in Khalidiyah Iraq, while serving and assigned to Company B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Fort Hood Texas; attached to Task Force All American, when a car bomb exploded next to his Humvee.
Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr. was born on January 16 1980, in New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA. The son of William Sturges Sr. and Linda Anderson Sturges. Army Specialist Sturges was of Spring Church, South Bend Township, PA. Army Specialist Sturges attended Elderton High School and was a 1998 graduate of Lenape Vo-Tech, Ford City, where he studied computer science and programming. He met his future wife at a vocational school in Armstrong County, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and they married in 2000. Deida was already in the Army, while Bill transferred from the National Guard into the Army.
Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
William is survived by his wife of three years, Deida M. Knize Sturges; two sons, Ethan C. Sherry of Dayton and Gabriel K. Sturges of South Bend; his parents, William Sturges Sr. and Linda Anderson Sturges of South Bend; a brother, Robert L. Sturges of South Bend; his maternal grandparents, Robert L. and Mary Ann Anderson of South Bend; and stepgrandparents, Anthony and Donna Giannetto of Kiski Township.
U.S. Army Specialist William Russell Sturges, Jr.
Birth: January 16 1980
New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: January 24, 2004 (age 24)
Khalidiyah, Iraq
Burial: South Bend Cemetery
Elderton, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you, Army Specialist William R. Sturges, Jr., for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholas Allen Tomko
U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholas Allen Tomko died on Sunday, November 9, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving and assigned to the 307th Military Police Company, U.S. Army Reserve, New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, as the result of wounds sustained when his team came under mortar and small-arms attack as they were performing a standard night patrol to check the camp’s perimeter for explosive devices; Sergeant Tomko was the door gunner in one of the 4 vehicles in the convoy.
Sergeant Tomko was born on February 16, 1979, in Pittsburgh, PA. The son of Jack Tomko and the late Sherry Pfab Tomko. Sergeant Tomko was of McKees Rocks, PA, formerly of Hampton Township and of Butler, PA. Sergeant Tomko was a graduate of the Class of 1997 from Hampton High School, and while working several part-time jobs at restaurants and gas stations along Route 8 to save money for a car; he discovered what he wanted to do with his life. He met a state trooper while he was working at Eat ‘n Park, and the two became very good friends. Nick was working as an armored car driver near Pittsburgh when he joined the Army Reserves in 1998 for the experience and college tuition to become a police officer. He had been stationed in Iraq since February 2003 and also had served in Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina for nine months in 2001. He wanted to serve his country, and he wanted his family to live in a country that was safe; he did it with great pride.
U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholas Allen Tomko was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge.
Nick is the son of the late Jack and Sherry Pfab Tomko. He is survived by his proud Uncle William “Bill” Tomko, who is a Vietnam Veteran, and his son, Ethan Tomko. His father, Jack Tomko, was quoted when asked about his son, “He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have freedom here, With men and women like that, we’re going to be safe for a long time.”
U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholas Allen Tomko
Birth: 16 February 1979
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 9 November 2003 (age 24)
Baghdad, Iraq
Burial: Allegheny County Memorial Park
Allison Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, US
Thank you, Sergeant Nicholas Allen Tomko, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Army Private First Class Richard "Rick" William Hafer, Jr
Birth: 13 Aug 1982
Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA
Mosul, Iraq
Blairsville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA
U.S. Air Force - OSI Special Agent - Staff Sergeant David Alan Wieger
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant David Alan Weiger died on Thursday, November 1, 2007, near Balad Air Base, Iraq, while serving and assigned to Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 303, Travis Air Force Base, CA., as the result of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device (IED).
Staff Sergeant Wieger was an Air Force Special Agent and his primary responsibility on the battlefield was to perform reconnaissance missions of tracking and monitoring IEDs. His humvee was struck by an IED roadside bomb, killing him and Air Force Master Sergeant Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho, MO, and Nathan J. Schuldheiss, 27, an Air Force Defense Department civilian investigator from Newport, RI. The three were on their way back from meeting with sources related to an intelligence investigation when their convoy hit the explosive.
Even on the Iraqi road Wieger was traveling, moments before he died, the North Huntingdon native had his squadmates howling. “We asked them what kind of spirits he was in,” said his mother, Lori Wieger. “They said, as always, David was on the radio with the two other Humvees, just making them laugh up until the last second.”
Staff Sergeant David Alan Wieger was born on May 5, 1979, in Pittsburgh, PA. He lived and grew up in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, PA. David graduated in the Class of 1997 from Norwin High School, where he was active in the Norwin Soccer Club and was also a member of the Penns Forest Football Club. He additionally was a member of Norwin Christian Church. After graduation, he attended and earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA. When he decided on the Air Force, he opted for a six-year enlistment, attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Six years later he re-enlisted.
“Since high school, he wanted to get into the military,” said his brother, Michael Wieger. “He loved the job he was doing. That was the thing he was always saying.” Michael said his brother was eager to serve in Iraq despite the obvious risks associated with his deployment. “David had confidence and did not shy away from those issues, and he thought it was very important to do his duty.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant David Alan Wieger was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
David is survived by his loving parents, Loreene R. (Harper) and Michael J. Wieger, Sr., of North Huntingdon, PA, and his brother Michael J. Wieger, Jr. and his wife Brenda, of Port Vue, PA.
U.S. Air Force – OSI Special Agent – Staff Sergeant David Alan Wieger
Birth: 5 May 1979
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 1 November 2007 (age 28)
Balad, Saladin Governorate, Iraq
Burial: Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park
North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you, Staff Sergeant David Alan Wieger, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
U.S. Navy Master-At-Arms Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger Alan Napper, Jr.
Birth: 13 February 1976
Death: 7 October 2006 (age 30)
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery
North Branch, Lapeer County, Michigan, USA
U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher K. Raible
Remembering today and always, Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher K. “Otis” Raible, who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 14, 2012, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Marine Corps LtCol Christopher K. Raible died on Friday, September 14, 2012, in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, while serving and assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), when insurgents breached the base using small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
Marine Corps LtCol Christopher K. Raible was born on August 18, 1972, in McKeesport, PA, USA. LtCol Raible grew up in North Huntingdon Township, PA, was a Class of 1990 Norwin High School graduate and was the Class of 1995 Carnegie Mellon University graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering. LtCol Raible was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma in Yuma, Arizona. Christopher is the son of Alvin C. and Kim Piotrowski Raible, of North Huntingdon, PA. Christopher began his military career as an AV8 Harrier fighter pilot and went on to become commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211 Avengers (VMA-211).
He received numerous military honors including Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and is a recipient of the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, and an Air Medal with Strike 15 Award.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Belvina “Grace” Piotrowski, of McKeesport; his wife, Donella Tanner Raible; three children, Catherine, Allison and Brian, all at home; and one sister, Lona L. Bosley and her husband, Dennis.
Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher K. Raible
Birth: August 18, 1972
McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: September 14, 2012 (age 40)
Camp Bastion, Helmand P,rovince, Afghanistan
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA
Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher K. “Otis” Raible, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
Navy Chief Petty Officer Nicolas D. Checque
Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)(CPO) Nicolas D. Checque died on Saturay, December 8, 2012, in Laghman, Afghanistan, while serving and assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, of injuries sustained in the successful rescue of an American doctor from the Taliban. CPO Checque was a member of the Navy’s Elite SEAL Team 6.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Nicolas D. Checque was born on March 5, 1984 in Monroeville, PA. CPO Checque was a Class of 2002 Norwin High School graduate and was on the Norwin wrestling team.
CPO Checque received numerous medals and awards, including the Bronze Star Medal w/Combat ‘V’; Joint Service Commendation Medal w/Combat ‘V’; Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/Combat ‘V’; Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Combat Action Ribbons ; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest honor for military valor.
Birth: March 5, 1984
Death: December 8, 2012 (age 28)
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA
Thank you, Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)(CPO) Nicolas D. Checque, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
Sergeant First Class Robert James Fike
Sergeant First Class Robert James Fike died on Friday, June 11, 2010, while serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment in Zabul, Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Fike, along with Sergeant First Class Bryan A. Hoover, from West Elizabeth, PA, was on foot patrol providing security with the Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul when they came upon insurgents who met them with a suicide bomb attack. They both perished from wounds sustained by the improvised explosive device at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Bullard.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his daughter, MacKenzie, the love and joy of his life. Bob is survived by his daughter MacKenzie of Meadville, parents James and Christine of Trafford, and brother Christopher of Monroeville.
Staff Sergeant Thor Harrison Ingraham
Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh
Remembering today and always, Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh, who made the ultimate sacrifice on October 6, 2006, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh died on Sunday, April 2, 2006, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, while serving and assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, when his Humvee struck a roadside bomb.
Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh was born on March 9, 1976, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The son of (Late) Carlos V and Betty (Fitzpatrick) McIntosh. Staff Sergeant McIntosh was of Trafford, PA. He joined the Marine Corps in September 1996, after graduating from Penn Trafford High School, and planned to continue his military career.
Sgt. McIntosh received numerous medals and awards, including the Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Eric is survived by his his wife, Cynthia, of North Carolina. The couple married on Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the terrorist attacks that ultimately led to U.S. troops being deployed to Afghanistan. A brother, Richard McIntosh, and his mother, Betty McIntosh.
Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh
Birth: March 9, 1976
San Diego, Ca, USA
Death: April 2, 2006 (age 30)
Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA
Thank you, Marine Staff Sergeant Eric A. McIntosh, for your service, dedication, and sacrifice!
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) Matthew Paul Ruffner
Sergeant Jason Alan Shaffer
Marine Corps Sergeant Vinson Alan Pelisari
Sergeant Vinson Alan Pelisari, USMC, 24, of Beaufort, SC, formerly of New Kensington, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 in Beaufort, SC. He was born in Monroeville on December 11, 1995 to Vinson A. and Michele Rana (Lucchetti) Pelisari. Sgt. Pelisari was a graduate of Valley High School Class of 14′. He attained a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at Kiski Martial Arts receiving the school’s “Most Improved” award two consecutive years. In High School he was involved with the JROTC Program serving as Battalion Commander. Being community minded he helped set the record of food tonnage collected for the Westmoreland County Food Bank and Project Seed in New Kensington. While in High School he enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program for the Marines and was known for rounding up his buddies (willing or not) to attend the PT events for Marines Three Rivers Recruiting in Pittsburgh, he was awarded the Poolee “Most Improved” award in April 2014. Sgt. Pelisari left for boot camp immediately after High School graduation, earning his brotherhood in the Marines on Sept. 20th of 2014. After boot camp he was enrolled in the Aviation Logistics Tactical Information Systems Specialist Course in Newport, RI. earning an Associate Degree in 8 months and receiving the school’s “Meritorious Mast” and the “Peer Leadership Award”. Stationed in Yuma, AZ he managed the VMFA-211 F35 Special Access Program Security, holding Top Secret Clearance. Sgt Pelisari was deployed on the USS Essex for 9 months with the first F35 to be deployed by the Marine Corps for military action. While in Yuma, he attained a black belt in Marine Martial Arts and was qualified to instruct fellow Marines. His current assignment was Drill Instructor with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Mike Company, Parris Island, SC.
Sgt. Pelisari is survived by his parents: Vinson A. and Michele R.(Lucchetti) Pelisari; sister Rayna L. Pelisari; Paternal grandmother Helen (Shumsky) Pelisari; Maternal grandparents; Martina (Rusnock) (James) Parkhill and Ray Lucchetti (Marcie French); Aunts and Uncle; Laura Pelisari, Lisa Grabigel and Nicole (Shawn) Eckenrod; Cousins; Nicklas and Roman Grabigel; Isaac and Julia Eckenrod.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather William H. Pelisari (2015) and Great grandparents Vincent (2004) and Louise (2012) Lucchetti.
Vince always stood up for what he believed in, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers along the way. He enjoyed four wheeling in his JEEP. Growing up he enjoyed chillin with the villins (his skateboard crew), video games and training in Tae Kwon Do.
Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend will always be in our heart, mind & spirt. His dedication and determination to be the best Marine and person he could be was truly an inspiration to us all. We are and always will be very proud of him. Vince was our Hero.
SSgt. Tyler J. Sansonetti, USMC
SSgt. Tyler Sansonetti was born on December 27, 1992. He grew up in Harrison City and graduated from Penn Trafford High School in 2011. When he was 17 yrs. old, he made a decision to become a Marine and enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). He left for bootcamp right after high school graduation. Tyler was very athletic and spent most of his childhood playing baseball, basketball and other sports and loved his dogs, Thumper & Jake. Known for his terrific sense of humor and highly competitive nature, he was a win-at-all-costs and a have fun-at-all-costs person. He was highly social, made friends everywhere he went and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends.
Tyler married when he was 19 and he and his wife moved to North Carolina where he was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He was deployed many times in the 11 years he served and obtained various leadership positions within the Corp namely Section Chief of his artillery unit and Platoon Sergeant. He lived by the Marine Corp. values of Honor, Courage and Commitment and was dedicated to the Corp. and to his brotherhood within the Corp.
While serving he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, Certificate of Appreciation, Meritorious Mast and Good Conduct Medal. He also obtained his Black Belt in the Marine Corp. Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Tyler served in many areas of the world including Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Red Sea, Norway and parts of the North Atlantic.
Tyler died on March 21, 2022 at the age of 29 while proudly serving his country.
He left behind his beloved wife, Bethany, parents Paul & Maureen, brothers Paul & Andrew and sister Nicole, three brothers-in-law, parents-in-law, four nieces, three nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Tyler is greatly missed by all who knew him.
USMC SSgt. Tyler J. Sansonetti
Birth: December 27, 1992
Harrison City, PA., USA
Death: March 21, 2022 (age 29)
Hubert, NC
Burial: Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Verona, PA
We were honored to know you and appreciate your service and sacrifice, Tyler. Semper Fi!
