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Military - Florida's Fallen Soldiers 2010

• FLORIDA'S FALLEN SOLDIERS

A Navy carry team takes a transfer case containing the remains of Seaman William F. Ortega

A Navy carry team takes a transfer case containing the remains of Seaman William F. Ortega at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Ortega died on June 18. [Photo: Steve Ruark/AP]

For the second year, our Floridian of the Year issue includes soldiers who have died in action. In 2009, 28 Floridians were killed as a result of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan — including Staff Sgt. Dennis J. Hansen, 31, from Panama City, who died Dec. 7, 2009, in Afghanistan after we went to press. In 2010, the number, as of Dec. 1, was 26. The most common causes: Small-arms fire attacks by Afghan insurgents and makeshift bombs. In fact, with much of the military's focus shifting from Iraq to Afghanistan last year, 22 of the soldiers died as a result of injuries in that war, compared to four in Iraq.

In chronological order based on when they died, here are Florida's 2010 war dead.

Spec. David A. Croft Jr. Spec. David A. Croft Jr.

Age: 22

Hometown: Plant City

Died: Jan. 5
Makeshift bomb and small-arms fire

War: Iraq

Sgt. Daniel M. Angus Sgt. Daniel M. Angus

Age: 28

Hometown: Thonotosassa

Died: Jan. 24
Land mine

War: Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners

Age: 24

Hometown: Lakeland

Died: Feb. 13
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto

Age: 26

Hometown: Largo

Died: March 14
Vehicle crash

War: Afghanistan

Sgt. Keith A. Coe Sgt. Keith A. Coe

Age: 30

Hometown: Auburndale

Died: April 27
Makeshift bomb

War: Iraq

Senior Master Sgt.

James B. Lackey
Senior Master Sgt.

Age: 45

Hometown: Green Cove Springs

Died: April 9
Helicopter crash

War: Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Philip P. Clark Lance Cpl. Philip P. Clark

Age: 19

Hometown: Gainesville

Died: May 18
Shrapnel

War: Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Amilcar H. Gonzalez Staff Sgt. Amilcar H. Gonzalez

Age: 26

Hometown: Miami

Died: May 21
Small-arms fire

War: Iraq

2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan 2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan

Age: 23

Hometown: Orlando

Died: June 6
Small-arms fire

War: Afghanistan

Sgt. Zachary

J. Walters
Sgt. Zachary

Age: 24

Hometown: Palm Coast

Died: June 8
Roadside bomb

War: Afghanistan

Seaman William F. Ortega Seaman William F. Ortega

Age: 23

Hometown: Miami

Died: June 18
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Sgt. David W. Thomas Sgt. David W. Thomas

Age: 40

Hometown: St. Petersburg

Died: June 27
Small-arms fire

War: Afghanistan

Pfc. Anthony W. Simmons Pfc. Anthony W. Simmons

Age: 25

Hometown: Tallahassee

Died: July 8
Indirect fire

War: Afghanistan

Spec. Carlos J. Negron Spec. Carlos J. Negron

Age: 40

Hometown: Fort Myers

Died: July 10
Small-arms fire

War: Afghanistan

Pvt. Brandon M. King Pvt. Brandon M. King

Age: 23

Hometown: Tallahassee

Died: July 14
Small-arms fire

War: Afghanistan

Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe

Age: 23

Hometown: Plant City

Died: Aug. 8
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bock Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bock

Age: 26

Hometown: Leesburg

Died: Aug. 13
Small-arms fire

War: Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J.A. Schultz Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J.A. Schultz

Age: 19

Hometown: Safety Harbor

Died: Aug. 21
Combat

War: Afghanistan

Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E.C. Holley Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E.C. Holley

Age: 36

Hometown: Casselberry

Died: Aug. 29
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Pfc. James A. Page Pfc. James A. Page

Age: 23

Hometown: Titusville

Died: Aug. 31
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Spec. Marc C. Whisenant Spec. Marc C. Whisenant

Age: 23

Hometown: Holly Hill

Died: Sept. 24
Vehicle rollover

War: Iraq

Sgt. Karl A. Campbell Sgt. Karl A. Campbell

Age: 34

Hometown: Chiefland

Died: Oct. 4
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez

Age: 22

Hometown: North Miami Beach

Died: Oct. 8
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Spc. David A. Hess Spc. David A. Hess

Age: 25

Hometown: Ruskin

Died: Oct. 10
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly

Age: 29

Hometown: Tallahassee

Died: Nov. 9
Makeshift bomb

War: Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira

Age: 27

Hometown: Davie

Died: Nov. 13
Suicide bomber

War: Afghanistan

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