8 soldiers killed in Afghanistan in 2013 were Floridians

This year’s Floridian of the Year issue includes eight American soldiers from Florida who died serving their country in 2013. Seven died in Afghanistan and one, Justin Kyle Adams, died in South Korea. In the list below, presented in chronological order, those eight are joined by one other Florida soldier who died in 2012 after TREND’S 2012 list went to press.

Army Pfc. Markie T. Sims, 20
Citra
Dec. 29, 2012
Improvised explosive device

Army Spc. Zachary L. Shannon, 21
Dunedin
March 11, 2013
Helicopter crash

Army Staff Sgt. Marc A. Scialdo, 31
Naples
March 11, 2013
Helicopter crash

Army Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28
South Miami
March 11, 2013
Small-arms fire from an Afghan security forces member

Air Force Capt. James M. Steel, 29
Tampa
April 3, 2013
F-16 crash

Army Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Thomas Jr., 31
Pensacola
June 10, 2013
Unspecified

Marine Lance Cpl. Jared W. Brown, 20
Youngstown
June 16, 2013
Combat

Army Sgt. Justin R. Johnson, 25
Hobe Sound
June 18, 2013
Indirect fire

Army Spc. Justin Kyle Adams, 21
Largo
Nov. 22, 2013
Vehicle accident