He was seriously wounded in a fire fight with the enemy during a combat operation in Konar Province, Afghanistan. Wright was treated immediately by unit medical personnel and quickly evacuated to the nearest treatment facility where he died of his wounds.

He was on his third deployment in support of the War on Terror. He had previously deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
After graduating from high school in Tollesboro, Ky, Wright enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 2005. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman. Then after graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he served as a rifleman assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash., and later was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Armor Calvary Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

In 2009, Wright was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program at Fort Benning, Ga. Following graduation from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, he was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in June 2009 where he served as a rifleman and a squad automatic weapons gunner.

Wright’s military education included the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, and the Sniper Course.

His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with combat star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart.
Wright is survived by his father, James Cochran and stepmother, Michele Cochran of Tollesboro, Ky., and his mother, Linda Dennis of Jeffersonville, Ind.

As a Ranger, Wright selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of the War on Terror, and fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and the Nation.

Pfc. Nathan E. Stahl, 20, was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash.

He was killed in action while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on Sept. 21, 2004, during a combat patrol in central Iraq after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

A native of Highland, Ind., Stahl enlisted in the Army in June 2003. After completing infantry, airborne and Ranger indoctrination training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., in January 2004.

Stahl deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom earlier this year.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Towina G. Nightingale and Rodney Nightingale, ofHighland, IN, and by his father and stepmother, Max E. Stahl and Virginia S. Stahl, of Clayton, NC.

As a Ranger, Pfc. Nathan Stahl distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

He was killed in action on Aug. 25, 2005, while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom after an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near his vehicle.

A native of Sonoma, Calif., Shea was born Sept. 13, 1982. He enlisted in the Army Jan. 28, 2003. After completing One Station Unit Training, Airborne School and Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to 3rd Bn. on Aug. 21, 2003.

Shea deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July 2005. He was a five-time veteran of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a rifleman, automatic rifleman, grenadier and machine gun team leader.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal and awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Shea is survived by his parents, William and Mary Shea, also of Sonoma, Calif., and a sister, Sara Shea Frank, of Seattle, Wash.

As a Ranger, Shea distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

He was wounded in a ground assault raid targeting associates of senior Al Qaeda leader when enemy fighters, some armed with suicide vests, engaged the U.S. forces with small arms fire.

This was Rudd’s eighth deployment in support of the War on Terrorism with two previous deployments to Afghanistan and five to Iraq.

He volunteered and enlisted in the Army on Oct. 2, 2003. After completion of the one station unit training, he volunteered for service as an Army Ranger and completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning. Rudd was assigned to Company B on Aug. 9, 2004, where he served as a rifleman, grenadier, and fire team leader.

Rudd completed numerous military courses while serving in the Army, including the Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Indoctrination Program, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Jumpmaster Course, the Master Breacher Course, and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.

His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Rudd is survived by his father, William E. and stepmother, Barbara Rudd, and step brother, Josh of Madisonville, Ky.; his mother, Pamela Lam and sister, Elizabeth of Nortonville, Ky.

As a Ranger, Rudd distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

In April 2002, he was assigned to Company A, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., where he served as a fire support officer. He was previously assigned to Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, N. C., where he had served as both a fire direction officer and a fire support officer.

Rippetoe’s military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Basic Airborne Course, and Ranger School.

From October 2001 until January 2002, Rippetoe deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Ranger Tab and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor and the Purple Heart.

Rippetoe is survived by his parents, Joe and Rita Rippetoe of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Joe Rippetoe is a retired Army Colonel. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca, her husband, Tom Kim and their daughter.

After graduating from Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., Sgt. Regan attended Duke University, Durham, N.C., where he majored in economics with a minor in business and marketing.

During his high school years, Sgt. Regan excelled in academic, sports and community achievements. In 1997, he was earned a spot on the New York State Empire Lacrosse Team. It was while he was a senior that his that he earned All American Lacrosse Player, All State Scholar for football and Nassau County Sports Commission Award for Outstanding Academic Achievements, Athletic Achievements and for Service to the Community. Because of his successes on the lacrosse field, Sgt. Regan was recruited by Duke University on lacrosse scholarship. As a mid-field lacrosse player, he helped the Duke team reach ACC Championships in 2001 and 2002 and they played in the Final Four in 2002.

He later volunteered for military service and entered the Army Feb. 11, 2004. During Infantry Basic Combat Training, he graduated first in a class of 400 as the “Soldier of the Cycle” in May 2004. By September 2004, he had completed the Basic Airborne Course and Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning.

Assigned to 3rd Bn. in September 2004, he served as a machine gunner and gun team leader. Sgt. Regan was on his fourth deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and serving as a fire team leader with his company when he was killed. In addition to a previous deployment to Iraq, Sgt. Regan had also deployed to Afghanistan twice supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on Feb.1, 2007.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Sgt. Regan is survived by his parents, John P. and Mary R. Regan of Manhasset, his sisters Maribeth, Colleen and Michaela, and his grandfather John Desmond. He is also survived by his fiancée, Mary R. McHugh of Atlanta, Ga., who is a third-year medical student at Emory University.

At the request of the Regan family, donations may be made in memoriam to Sgt Regan at:

- the Jim Regan Scholarship, c/o Chaminade Development Office, 340 Jackson Avenue, Mineola, N.Y. 11501

- the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 13483, Tampa, FL 33681-3483, www.specialops.org Donations may be made in the name of Sergeant Jim Regan, and mailed in or made on line.

As a Ranger, Sgt. Regan distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

Patton died April 18, 2010 while conducting a combat operation in northern Iraq when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in which he was riding crashed.

He was on his seventh deployment in support of the War on Terror. He had previously deployed twice to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan.

After graduation from Spencer High School in Columbus, Ga., Staff Sgt. Patton enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2004. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga. as an Infantryman. Then after graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.

Following graduation from the Ranger Indoctrination Program Patton was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in February 2005 where he served as a Grenadier, Fire Team Leader, Team Leader and Squad Leader.

His military education includes the Airborne Course, the Ranger Indoctrination Program, the U.S. Army Ranger Course, the Jumpmaster Course, the Master Breacher Course, the Mountain Warfare Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, and the Advanced Leaders Course.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

Patton is survived by his wife Beatriz and their daughter Cecilia of Columbus, Ga., and his parents Command Sgt.Maj. Gregory and Mrs. Sheila Patton of Indian Mound, Tenn.; brother Cliff Edward Patton and sister Megan Sue Marie.

As a Ranger, Patton selflessly lived his life for others while he distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, which remains continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In every instance he fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.

He was killed by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Central Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces. The unit was conducting operations to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell known to be operating in the area.

McGhee was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Afghanistan.

After graduating from high school, McGhee enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Fredericksburg, Va., in August 1, 2006. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.

He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in February 2007 and was then assigned to Company B, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment March 1, 2007. McGhee served as a Rifleman and Grenadier in Company B before serving as a Weapons Squad Team Leader with Company D.

His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.

His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutist Badge.

McGhee is survived by his father Steven McGhee of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; his mother Sherrie Battle McGhee, and maternal grandparents Dr. Williams C. and Joann Battle of Knoxville, Tenn.; paternal grandparents Mike and Roberta McGhee of Newsport News, Va., and his brother Zachary.

He completed basic training and advanced individual training in the military operational specialty of Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. Specialist Long continued his military training at Fort Benning when he attended Airborne School and graduated in 2000. Following graduation from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in April 2000.

Specialist Long was a Rifleman with Company A, 3rd Battalion. He died in combat after a civilian vehicle exploded at a Coalition checkpoint 18 km southwest of Hadithah Dam in Iraq.

His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Purple Heart. From October 2001 until January 2002, Specialist Long deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His parents, Rudy and Donna Long of Seaford, Del, survive him.

As a Ranger, Specialist Long distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to uphold the prestige, honor, and high “esprit de corps” of my Ranger Regiment.

He completed basic training and advanced individual training in the military operational specialty of Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. Staff Sergeant Livaudais continued his military training at Fort Benning when he attended Airborne School and graduated in June, 1998. On July 31, 1998, he was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He earned his Ranger Tab after graduating from the U.S. Army Ranger Course in 1999 at Fort Benning.

Staff Sergeant Livaudais was a Squad Leader with Company A, 3d Battalion. He died in combat after a civilian vehicle exploded at a Coalition checkpoint 18 km southwest of Hadithah Dam in Iraq.

His awards and decorations include a Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, three Army Achievement Medals, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the German Parachutist Badge. From October 2001 until January 2002, Staff Sgt. Livaudais deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie and two children, Destre and Carson, of Fort Mitchell, Alabama. He is also survived by his mother, Divina Livaudais of Utah.

As a Ranger, Staff Sergeant Livaudais distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to uphold the prestige, honor, and high “esprit de corps” of my Ranger Regiment.