Soldiers From Hartford Michigan

2001 « Iraq » 2011 2001 « Afghanistan » Present Started October 7, 2001 in response to the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States The war in Iraq was declared officially ended on December 15, 2011
Killed in Action Wounded in action POW/MIA Died during active duty
Bailey Appleby, Elizabeth L.	Benham, Justin A.	Bohle, Emily
US Army Cook In service 1998 to present Kosovo – US Peacekeeper Served in Iraq Vilsek Germany Camp Bondstel – Kosovo St. Hood TX Ft. Jackson SC Ft. Lee VA Medals UN Peacekeeper From Hartford HHS Class of 1998 Beth is the daughter of Ralph and Marie Perry Bailey.	US Navy Seaman USS Iwo Jima, home ported out of Norfolk VA. In service 200_ to present	US Navy Electrician – ET2 (SW/AW) b 1-21-1982 In Service 6-2000 to present USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) home ported at Norfolk VA Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Awards » 2004 Senior Sailor of the Year for Combat Systems » Good Conduct Award » Sea Service (times 2), » Battle "E" Award » Unit Accommodation Award » National Defense From Hartford MI HHS Class of 2000 Emily’s grandfather, Ernest Bohle served in the US Navy during WW11. Photo and information submitted by grandmother, June Bohle, 11-2002. Emily’s address is: Emily D. Bohle ET2 (SW/AW) CS/C56 USS T Roosevelt (CVN-71) FPO AE 09599-2871
Bowman, Kevin J. US Army 1st Class Station Commander at Great lakes Recruiting Battalion, Battle Creek MI In service 19__ to present Son of Evelyn Vanderpool	Cantrell, Bruce B. US Army – Sergeant E5 67-U Chinook Mechanic Squad Leader in Alpha 8/101 b 5/1/1968 In service 1997 to Present Home based out of Ft. Campbell KY, Served in Kuwait at Camp Udairi. 2001 to present – 8/101-A. Co. Avn Rgt. 1999 to 2001- 7/101 A. Co. Avn. Rgt. From Hartford HHS Class of 1986 Married to Jennifer Klackle Cantrell. She is from the HHS Class of 1988. 2/1/2004 – update from Jennifer: Bruce is supposed to be on his way home sometime this month. He is doing okay, he’s ready to be home after almost 2 years at war. He had a really rough experience right before Christmas and had a soldier die while he was giving him CPR. That was really a terrible thing for him. He’s doing better, but like I said he needs to be home for awhile. Yes, we are still living in Tennessee. I’m still teaching 1st grade at Fort Campbell. Teaching the children of soldiers presents a multitude of new challenges. I’ve had students whose dad’s were severely wounded over there and they still come to school with smiles on their faces. For Bruce’s snail mail address to send letters of support, please contact Jennifer via email. Click here to send Jennifer an email Click here to send Bruce an email
Curl, Billy US Army – CW3 Inst Pilot AH-64/OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
June 2003 – Dressed in full flight gear beside the Kiowa Warrior on the Syrian border in IRAQ		July 10, 2003 – AlAsad Air Field IRAQ b 9-1966 Benton Harbor MI In Service 1984 – 2005 Stationed at Ft Hood TX, Ft Bragg NC, Ft Rucker AL, Ft Bliss TX Served in Iraq Medals and Awards » Army Air-Medal » Mississippi Magnolia Cross » Army Commendation Medal » National Defense Service Medal » Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary Medal » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal » Armed Forces Reserve Medal » W/M Device Army Service Ribbon » Overseas Service Bar (2nd award) Was Pilot for one of 22 helicopters to fly into Iraq at beginning of war. From Newport AR NHS Class of 1984 Attend Hartford Public Schools and Decatur Public Schools. Resided in Hartford-Keeler 1974-1982 Billy’s uncle, Hersel Berneill Madison, served during the VietNam era and cousin, Tye Berneil Madison, served during Desert Storm.
How we lived and slept for the first 120 days of the war.
Chappell, Matthew US Navy In service 2-2006 to present From HHS Class of 2005	Deckard, Gary Patrick
	US Air Force Military Police – Staff Sergeant In service 2006 to Present (Reenlisted) June 2008 to present – Camp Bucca Bahsra, Iraq 2007-Present – Wright- Patterson AFB Dayton, Ohio 2006 – Keesler AFB, Biloxi MS 2006 – Beale AFB, CA 2001-2004 Beale AFB, CA 2003 – AL Udied AFB, Qutar Iraq Served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including fly away missions transportation prisoners from Afghanistan and Iraqi.	Awards and Medals » Airman of the Quarter for Security Forces Squadron » Airman of the Quarter for Mission Support Group » Achievement Medal for Outstanding Services » Outstanding Unit » Good Conduct » Expert Marksmanship From Hartford HHS Class of 2000 Resided in Hartford until 2001 Gary’s father, Joe Deckard, served in the National Guard 1981-1987.

	Edge, Duwayne C.	Goss, Bradley
	US Army Reserves – SPC Truck Driver, Combat Life Saver 401st Transportation Unit from Battle Creek MI b 8-16-1972 in Benton Harbor MI In service 8-15-2003 to Present Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 8-15-2003 to 11-25-2004 Active Duty in Mosul & Bagdad Iraq Medals and Awards » Army Commendation Medal » National Defense Service Medal » Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary Medal » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal » Armed Forces Reserve Medal » W/M Device Army Service Ribbon » Overseas Service Bar (2nd award) Helped rebuild and supply a school for Iraqi kids while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Logged over 1,000,000 miles with the 401st Transportation Unit as a truck driver. Our unit had a 2-truck accident where 4 soldiers were injured. I served as Combat Life Saver for all 4 soldiers. When help was called, I was chosen to ride in the Medavac to assist Medics with the injured soldiers. I received an Army Commendation Medal for going above the call of duty. With the combined help of others in our unit, no lives were lost. From Benton Harbor MI From BHHS Class of 1992 GED in 2001 Resident of Hartford since 6-2004 Click here to send Duwayne an email	US Navy – E4 Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler Division Air Department V1 b 6-10-1985 in Berrien Springs MI In service 5-2006 to 5-2010 Served on the USS Enterprise, home ported out of Norfolk VA. The USS Enterprise deployed to the Persian Gulf, where aircraft flew sorties into Iraq and Afghanistan. Attended Hartford Public Schools, Graduate of So. Haven High School Class of 2003 Son of Buff J. Goss HHS 1984 and Deanna Nash Goss HHS 1986 Married to Mishelle Wilson Goss HHS 2003 Medals and Awards » Global War on Terrorism » Global War Expedition » 9MM Qualification » Good Conduct » Sea Service » National Call of Defense » Battle Efficiency Resides in Paw Paw MI
Empson, Shane Sgt Recalled to duty 200__ to 2003 From Hartford HHS Class of 1990 Shane’s father, John Empson served during the Vietnam War. Shane is the son of John Empson, HHS Class of 1964, and Joyce Miller Carmichael, HHS Class of 1966. 2/7/03 – Received the following from Shane via email from his mother, Joyce Miller Empson Carmichael	Gatchell, Arthur US Marines – Sergeant Military Police In service 2000 to present 2008 – Returned to Iraq Served in Bahrain, Iraq Hawaii, and Georgia. From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1999 Arthur is is son of Gene and Maxine Huddleston Gatchell. Maxine is a graduate of the HHS Class of 1966. Photo submitted by grandmother, Doris Huddleston 11-2001	Grabovac, Wayne D. US Army Reserve – Pvt. Logistical Specialist In service 2005 to present Graduate of US Army Quartermaster Center and School, Ft. Lee at Petersburg VA From Hartford MI HHS Class of 2001 Married to Nicole Harris Grabovac (HHS 2004) Son of Dennis and Joyce Grabovac
Thank you for thinking of us! SGT Shane Empson (Somewhere in the Arabian desert) Shane wrote Please Remember in Prayer all the men & women serving the U.S.A. in the Military UPDATE: Shane is now back home in the US!!
Gray, Jeremy (A.J.)	Hamilton Madison, Barbara J.
U.S. Navy Seabee BU2 – E5 b 9-5-1976 In service Recalled to active duty 7-5-2005 to 4-2006 Navy Customs PAPA, LSA Kuwait 11-2-1998 to 11-2003 Builder Served in Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Naval Mobile Construction Batt.133 Naval Training Center in Gulfport MS Naval Mobile Construction Batt. 74 Awards » Sea Service Award (4 award) » Navy Battle "E" Ribbon » Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal » Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal » Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal » Armed Forces Reserve (Navy) Medal » Expert Rifleman Medal » Expert Pistol Medal » Navel Sea Service Ribbon 2nd Award » Navel Meritorious Unit Ribbon » National Defense Service Medal » Navy Good Conduct Medal » Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1995. Jeremy is the son of Russell (served during Vietnam) and Linda Glasgow Gray. Linda is a graduate of HHS Class of 1965. Click here to send Jeremy an email	Michigan Army National Guard Signal E4 SPC – Switch Operator Mobile Subscriber Equipment Certified Combat Lifesaver A Co 156th Sig – Michigan 234th Sig Battalion – Iraq b Mar 27, 1970 In service Mar 27, 1987 to present 4-2003 – Iraq, OIF 2003-2004 Called up for active duty during Iraq War. Returned from Iraq in May, 2004. **Christmas Eve, Al Taji, Iraq 2003** SPC Timmerman, SSG Bradley, SPC Madison, SGT Dudek Duty Stations: Camp Dogwood Iraq, Al Taji Iraq A Co 156th Sig Kalamazoo MI, Ft Riley KS Medals and Awards » Michigan Battalion Coin of Excellence » 5 Broad sword awards » 2 Army Achievement Medals » 2 Brigade coins » 6 Certificates of Appreciation » 5 MOS’s in Communications Who are the real heroes, the soldiers that go to war or the people that keep the family together? Ruby Curl Madison Stone presented this question to her daughter-in-law. Barbara replied: "To me, having been on both ends, I’d say it is a toss up. Staying home, and dealing with keeping life running, kids homework and support of the loved one gone. Those are all hard things. But being gone is hard too, because of all that is being missed, choir concerts, soccer games, time with family, holidays. The danger of being here is not something I factor in, we could all be killed in a crash going to work at home. It’s the way you handle yourself away from home, keeping in touch, holding to your values instead of caving in to the temptations or hardships even of being away. The real heroes are the people who hold things together at both ends, on either side." My husband, Tye, served in Desert Storm, and having been home and deployed, both sides are hard to deal with. I have 2 children in Hartford Middle school. Anyone who thinks this is a adventure, has no idea what they are talking about. HHS Class of 1988 Resides in Hartford when not deployed. Barbara’s husband, Tye Madison, and sister, Amy Hamilton were also in the military during Desert Storm..
	Hilburn, James US Army Cavalry Scout E-Trp 2/3 Acr 3D Acr 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment b 12-28-1980 West Monroe LA Wounded in action In service 2003 to present Served at Ft Hood TX, Q-west, FOB Sykes, COP Hieder, LSA Diamondback, LAS Anaconda, Kabul and Farah Afghanistan, Vilseck Germany with 2 CR. James has served 2 tours in Iraq and 2 tours in Afghanistan. Medals and Awards » Purple Heart » Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) » Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) » National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) » Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM-CS) » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) » Army Service Ribbon (ASR) » Overseas Service Ribbons (OSR) » Armed Forces Reserve Medal L with M device (AFRMM) » Combat Action Badge Resided in Hartford 1993-1999 HHS Class of 1999 Son of Gary Hilburn & Tami Clements Married to Samantha Hilburn
Hurley, James Army National Guard Spc – E4 Maintenance b 11-18-1965 In Service 2004 to present Moved to Hartford in 1998 Attended Bangor High School Serving in Iraq through end of 2005 under Operation Iraqi Freedom Click here to send and email	Johnson, James Elton US Army – Sergeant First Class Infantry Mortar
	In service 1991 to 7-31-2008 Retired 2-04 to 2-05 Iraq 10-02 to 5-03 Kosovo 1983-1986 Served in Ft. Stewart GA, 2 tours in Korea, 2 tours in Germany, Ft. Hood TX, Ft. Leonard Wood MO, Ft. Knox KY Medals and Awards » Meritorious Service Medal upon retirement » Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) in 2004-2005 for service in Iraq. » Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) in 2002 » NATO medal » 4 Overseas Service Ribbons (OSR) » Army Service Ribbon (ASR) » 3 Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons (NCOPD) » Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWTEM) » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWTSM) » Kosovo Campaign Medal (KOSCM) » Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) » 2 National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) » 5 Good Conduct Medals (GCDM) » Army Achievement Medal (AAM) » 6 Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) » Presidential Unit Citation Award » Joint Meritorious Unit Award.	James Johnson and wife, O Kyung b 11-5-1961 Watervliet MI From HHS Class of 1980 Resided in Hartford 1965 – 1983 Son of James and Eva (Huffman) Johnson Resides in Elizabethtown KY upon retirement
Johnson, Lonnie In service 19__ to 19__ Served in Vietnam. 2-2003 Recalled to active duty during Iraq War. UPDATE: Lonnie is back home in the US. Lonnie is married to the former Diane Harmon and lives in Hartford. Diane is a former student of Hartford and their sons, Chad (1990) and John (1993) are Hartford graduates.	Keller, Michael L.	Kilburn, Robert
	US Army – Pvt. b 11-27-1982 In service 2002 to present Ft. Benning, GA Attended HHS From Bangor MI BHS Class of 2002	Command Sgt Major In Service 1977 to 2004 – Retired Army Reserve – Military Police 766th Transportation Hdq. Battalion, So. Bend, IN 1969 to 1977 US Navy Under Water Demolition Team, Aircraft Mechanic, Plane Captain on Gruman E2 A&B Radar Planes Drill Sgt – 70th Div. Training Unit Medical Combat Support Hospital Served in Vietnam 1978 to 2002 Michigan State Police – retired. Married Connie Swinford Kilburn, who is from the HHS Class of 1961.
		Lightner, Robert Lewis
		US Navy ABE3 – PO 3rd Class In service 2-2-2004 to present ▪ USS Harry S. Truman CVN75, Norfolk VA ▪ Pensacola FL ▪ Great Lakes Naval Station Medals and Awards » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal » Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal » Battle E Award »Sea Service Medal » National Medal of Defense From Hartford HHS Class of 1992 After Bob left for service, he was named the 2004 Fireman of the Year by the Hartford Fire Department Bob is the son of Robert (HHS Class of 1959) and Bernice Madison Lightner, who attend Hartford Schools through the 10th grade. He is a cousin to Tye Madison, served during Desert Storm, and nephew to Berneil Madison, served during VietNam. Click here to send Bob an email Click here to view USS Harry S. Truman flight deck landing.
Lopez, Kristina M Army National Guard – Pfc from HHS Class of 2008 Basic Combat Training, Ft. Jackson in Columbia SC Daughter of Shirley Nichols and Jose Lopez	Melvin, Steffen	Montgomery, Cory US Air Force In service 2001 to present From Hartford HHS Class of 2001
	US Marines – Cpl C Company, Bulk and Fuel 1st Platoon, with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th FSSG b 3-11/1972 d 6-17-2007 Ft. Bragg NC Phoenix AZ Age 36y, 3m, 8d Military burial at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Phoenix AZ In service 19__ to 19__ Served during Desert Storm in Kuwait. 2002 – Re-entered service and served during the Iraq War in Kuwait. HHS Class of 1989 From Hartford 2007 – Journeyman Lineman with Arizona Public Service Utilities Steffen is the son of Brenda McFarlin Melvin (HHS Class of 1969). His father, Douglas Melvin (HHS Class of 1967), served during the Vietnam War
Newnum, Thomas Lee
US Army PFC In service 2009 to present Son of Thomas and Joanne Newnum From Hartford MI HHS Class of 2007 Tom’s father, Thomas Joseph Newnum served in the US Air Force during Vietnam and his grandfather, Thomas Wilson Newnum Jr. served in the US Army during WW11.
Noles, Allen Michigan Army National Guard – Sergeant US Navy – Avation Electronics Technician – 3rd Class
b 10-10-1970 South Haven MI From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1988 Resided in Hartford 1981-1988	In service 2000-2006 Michigan Army National Guard 1988-1992 US Navy – Persian Gulf-Desert Storm » HHC – 126 Armor (Michigan Army National Guard) Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2006, FOB Freedom, Baghdad » USS Forrestal (US Navy) Operation Desert Storm 1991 Medals and Awards » Army Good Conduct Medal » Army Commendation Medal » 2 Army Achievement Medals » Navy Good Conduct Medal » 2 National Defense Medals » Southwest Asia Service Medal » Iraq Campaign Medal » Global War on Terror Medal 1994 to present Police Officer Accident Investigator Grand Rapids MI Allen also served during Desert Storm
Peters, Gary Gary is the son of Wilson and Gloria Peters From Hartford HHS Class of 1969 Gary’s service started during the Vietnam War. Click here to view his profile.	Rennie, Michael S.	Rodriguez, Amanda M. Michigan Army National Guard. Specialist – Heavy Equipment Vehicle Driver Sturgis-based 1463rd Transportation Co. In service 2009 – Basic and advanced training at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. Medals and Awards » Army Service Ribbon » National Defense Service Medal. Parents Patricia Schroeder, of Hartford, and the late Tomas Rodriguez III of San Antonio. Amanda is working toward a degree in criminal justice and sociology from Western Michigan University.
	US Marine Corps Corporal – E4 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Specialist, Marine Security Guard b 7-28-1979 St Joseph MI In service 6-16-1997 to 1-15-2002 Photo is with Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from when I was in Paris. Served in MCRD San Diego, CA Camp Pendleton, CA Goodfellow AFB, TX MCAS Futenma Okinawa, Japan MCB Quantico, VA American Embassy Paris, France American Consulate Lagos, Nigeria MCAF Quantico, VA Medals and Awards » Sea Service Deployment Ribbon » Overseas Service Ribbon » Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon » Good Conduct Medal From Hartford HHS Class of 1997 Resided in Hartford 1979-2003 and 2004-2006 Resides in Kalamazoo 2009 Son of Mark & Robin (Moore) Rennie Maried to Anastasia (Gilchrist) Rennie
Schroeder, Christopher US Air Force Airman – Security Forces b 9-13-1986 St. Joseph MI From Hartford HHS Class of 2004 In service 9-12-2006 to present Resided in Hartford 1986-2004 Served in Lakeland AFB – San Antonio TX F E Warren AFT – Cheyenne WY Click here to send Christopher an email.	Short, David	Wade, Michael US Marine Corps Corporal In Service 200_ to 200_ Stationed at: Cherry Point NC From Hartford Class of HHS 2001 Son of James and Pam Wade
	US Army Information Systems Operator – Analyst Assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. b 9-12-1989 d 11-23-2009 St Joseph MI Clarksville TN Age 20y, 2m, 13d Buried at Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In Service 4-2008 to 11-23-2009 David arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2009. Awards and Medals » National Defense Service Medal » Global War on Terrorism Service Medal » Army Service Ribbon » Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert) From Hartford MI HHS Class of 2008 Married to Carolina Vidal Caggiano Short Son of Julie and Bruce Strunk David died in an automobile accident outside of the base where he was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Clarkville TN
Overcoming a new world of terror that began with the World Trade Center bombing on 9-11-2001 is expressed in a poem by Hartford WW11 Veteran, Claire Chamberlain Olds The American World, 2001
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