Monday, August 6, 2012

We will not forget you Shipmate


Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania gave his life for his country a year ago today while supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  He and 29 fellow warriors died in Wardak province, Afghanistan when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by enemy forces. 

As Vice Admiral Kendall Card said a year ago:

"Petty Officers Day and Strange represent the best of what we aspire to be: Warriors, fighting in service to our country.  Their dedication to the mission, our Navy, and the United States of America must not be forgotten as we join their families and Shipmates in mourning their loss.

Please join me in offering a salute to Petty Officers Strange and Day,  as well as the other 28 American heroes we lost - they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all can enjoy the freedoms many take for granted.  We honor them for their dedicated service, and offer our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and Shipmates."
You can read more about Michael HERE.

Very nice tribute on the NIOC PENSACOLA blog www.niocpblog.wordpress.com
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    CAPT,

    Thanks much for remembering our fallen shipmates.

    Are you aware of a comprehensive list of IDC personnel killed in action since the beginning of OEF / OIF? I'd like to remember them during an upcoming ceremony.

    I believe the first intel sailor killed during that timeframe was LT Kylan Jones-Huffman (2003), an activated reservist at NAVCENT/C5F killed in Hillah, Iraq.

    V/r,

    Tom

    V/r,

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 7, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    A list of Cryptologic personnel can be found here: http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/memorial_wall/memorial_wall_list.shtml

    Along with proper bios......

    ReplyDelete