Heroes Remembered

Im Memoriam:

1LT Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, Calif.
SGT Jeffery S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, Kan
SPC Sean K.A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, Calif.
SPC Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, Calif.
PFC Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, Mich.
all of Chosen Company, 2-503rd PIR, 173rd ABCT
and Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks, 28, of Troy, Mich.

Killed 9 November 2007 while conducting combat operations near OP Bella in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. Eight more Sky Soldiers and 11 ANA were wounded.

Eight separate air crews subsequently conducted what was to become a combined 31-hour medevac and recovery mission involving multiple lifts.

With gratitude to those CJTF-82 crews for their professionalism, selfless service and dedication to duty during our Heroes' final hours and to the AH-64 crews not only for their protection, but whose gun cameras documented this mission.



Related:
CJTF-82 Heroes of the Week
Why we fight: Because "all of humanity is our tribe", by Linda Ferrara
A Mother's Tribute