Every week, I open the pages on the DoD website, hoping that there have been no casualties since my last report. That’s still not happening. Our deepest condolences to the families and units of these fallen warriors:
- Sgt. Steven L. Talamantez, 34, of Laredo, Texas, died July 10, in Al Amarah, Iraq, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.
- Spc. Rafael A. Nieves Jr., 22, of Albany, New York, died July 10 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires.
- Sgt. Christopher P. Soderlund, 23, of Pineville, Louisiana, died July 9 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with rocket-propelled grenade fire.
- Lance Cpl. Norberto Mendez Hernandez, 22, of Logan, Utah, died July 10 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
- Lance Cpl. Robert S. Greniger, 21, of Greenfield, Minnesota, died July 12 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
- Seaman Aaron D. Ullom, 20, of Midland, Michigan, died while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Now Zad district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on July 12.
- Sgt. Jeremy R. Summers, 27, of Mount Olivet, Kentucky, died Jul. 14 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, after enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire on Jul. 13.
- Staff Sgt. Wyatt A. Goldsmith, 28, of Colville, Washington, died July 15 at Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan of injuries suffered July 15 when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenade fire in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
- Sgt. Lex L. Lewis, 40, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died July 15 after injuries suffered July 15 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire in Farah province, Afghanistan.
- Spc. Frank R. Gross, 25, of Oldsmar, Florida, died July 16 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds sustained at Khowst province, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device caused a military vehicle roll-over.
