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 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. | |
Age: 22 Hometown: Plant City Died: Jan. 5 War: Iraq |
Sgt. Daniel M. Angus | |
Age: 28 Hometown: Thonotosassa Died: Jan. 24 War: Afghanistan |
Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners | |
Age: 24 Hometown: Lakeland Died: Feb. 13 War: Afghanistan |
Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto | |
Age: 26 Hometown: Largo Died: March 14 War: Afghanistan |
Sgt. Keith A. Coe | |
Age: 30 Hometown: Auburndale Died: April 27 War: Iraq |
Senior Master Sgt. James B. Lackey | |
Age: 45 Hometown: Green Cove Springs Died: April 9 War: Afghanistan |
Lance Cpl. Philip P. Clark | |
Age: 19 Hometown: Gainesville Died: May 18 War: Afghanistan |
Staff Sgt. Amilcar H. Gonzalez | |
Age: 26 Hometown: Miami Died: May 21 War: Iraq |
2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Orlando Died: June 6 War: Afghanistan |
Sgt. Zachary J. Walters | |
Age: 24 Hometown: Palm Coast Died: June 8 War: Afghanistan |
Seaman William F. Ortega | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Miami Died: June 18 War: Afghanistan |
Sgt. David W. Thomas | |
Age: 40 Hometown: St. Petersburg Died: June 27 War: Afghanistan |
Pfc. Anthony W. Simmons | |
Age: 25 Hometown: Tallahassee Died: July 8 War: Afghanistan |
Spec. Carlos J. Negron | |
Age: 40 Hometown: Fort Myers Died: July 10 War: Afghanistan |
Pvt. Brandon M. King | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Tallahassee Died: July 14 War: Afghanistan |
Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Plant City Died: Aug. 8 War: Afghanistan |
Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bock | |
Age: 26 Hometown: Leesburg Died: Aug. 13 War: Afghanistan |
Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J.A. Schultz | |
Age: 19 Hometown: Safety Harbor Died: Aug. 21 War: Afghanistan |
Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E.C. Holley | |
Age: 36 Hometown: Casselberry Died: Aug. 29 War: Afghanistan |
Pfc. James A. Page | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Titusville Died: Aug. 31 War: Afghanistan |
Spec. Marc C. Whisenant | |
Age: 23 Hometown: Holly Hill Died: Sept. 24 War: Iraq |
Sgt. Karl A. Campbell | |
Age: 34 Hometown: Chiefland Died: Oct. 4 War: Afghanistan |
Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez | |
Age: 22 Hometown: North Miami Beach Died: Oct. 8 War: Afghanistan |
Spc. David A. Hess | |
Age: 25 Hometown: Ruskin Died: Oct. 10 War: Afghanistan |
2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly | |
Age: 29 Hometown: Tallahassee Died: Nov. 9 War: Afghanistan |
Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira | |
Age: 27 Hometown: Davie Died: Nov. 13 War: Afghanistan |
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