Spc. Adrian Avila, US Army, Died of a Non Combat Related Accident in Khabari Crossing, Kuwait (2009)

On October 29, 2009August 17, 2016 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

50f9aa62f15cc.image — Spc. Adrian Avila, US Army

Spc. Adrian Avila, 19, US Army, died of a non combat related accident in Khabari Crossing, Kuwait on October 29, 2009. Spc. Avila was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 1343rd Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, 115th Fires Brigade of the Alabama Army National Guard in Fort Payne, Alabama. According to the Department of Defense the incident is under investigation.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Spc. Adrian L. Avila
Opelika soldier dies in Kuwait accident
Alabama Guardsman who died in Kuwait to be buried
Alabama soldier who died in non-combat Kuwait accident remembered for his pride, service
Soldier death: Spc. Adrian L. Avila, 19, of Opelika dies of non-combat related injuries
US troops killed in Iraq and Kuwait
Adrian L Avila, Opelika, Alabama, October 29, 2009

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia Died at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas of Injuries Suffered from a Non-Combat Related Injury in Iraq (September 7, 2007)

On September 7, 2007September 8, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, died September 7, 2007 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas of injuries suffered from a non-combat related injury on July 18, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Spc. Heredia was a Petroleum Supply Specialist supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. At the time of the Department of Defense press release the circumstances surrounding the death were under investigation. According to media reports, Spc. Heredia was severely burned while refueling a generator in Iraq and died of an infection at the hospital stateside because her bodily defenses were seriously compromised due to the extent of her burns.

In war-torn Baghdad, Heredia, who held the rank of Specialist, was badly burned in an accident July 18. According to family members, the accident occurred while she was fueling a generator. –Los Angeles Times

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Spc. Marisol Heredia
Army Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, El Monte; dies after being badly burned in Baghdad
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)
September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)

Army SSG Alicia Birchett Died of Injuries Suffered From a Non-Combat Related Vehicle Accident in Baghdad, Iraq (August 9, 2007)

On August 9, 2007August 1, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death1 Comment

Army SSG Alicia Birchett, 29, died of injuries suffered from a non-combat related vehicle accident in Baghdad, Iraq on August 9, 2007. SSG Birchett was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 887th Engineer Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At the time of the Department of Defense August 15th press release, the incident was under investigation. According to media reports, her family said Alicia was fatally injured when the brakes of a military truck failed while she changed a tire.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Staff Sgt. Alicia A. Birchett
Sgt. Alicia Birchett: 101st Airborne soldier dies in Iraq 8-07
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Violent Crime, Suicide & Non Combat Death at Fort Campbell, Kentucky (US Army)

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant Died of Natural Causes While Aboard the USS Eisenhower in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (December 31, 2006)

On December 31, 2006December 31, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death1 Comment

17695945_116985239713 — Seaman Sandra Grant, US Navy

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant, 23, died of a natural causes (cardiac arrest) while aboard a ship in the Arabian Sea on December 31, 2006. Seaman Grant was a Damage Control Fireman supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Naval officials reported the death was under investigation but preliminary findings pointed to natural causes. Sandra was a sailor, a family member, a friend, a wife, and the mother of a baby boy. She was also one of three sailors announced in the Department of Defense press release that died of ‘natural causes’ or an ‘accident’ in a hostile fire zone in support of OIF. Lt. Cmdr. Jane Lanham, 43, died from natural causes on September 19, 2006 in Bahrain. Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger Napper, 20, died of trauma from a single motor vehicle accident on October 7, 2006 in Bahrain.

[Sandra’s] father said the news came as a total shock because she was always healthy and didn’t have any prior medical condition. –The-Dispatch.com

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Navy Casualties
Navy Seaman Sandra S. Grant
SMN Sandra Stephanie Grant Fry
Sandra Stephanie Grant, US Navy
Sailor carried on family’s legacy

Forensic Files Premiered ‘Capitol Crimes’: Marine Veteran Kenneth Cains Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (October 4, 2006)

On October 4, 2006October 11, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, True Crime, USMC, VeteransLeave a comment

Full Episode: The driver said he couldn’t have hit and killed a pedestrian on a Harrisburg street. The Jeep Grand Cherokee he was leasing around that time had been sold months ago to a buyer in another state. Police were able to find the vehicle. They impounded it, took it apart, and discovered evidence, which would tell them what really happened that night. -Capitol Crimes, Forensic Files (S11,E12)

Editor’s Note: Full episodes of Forensic Files are available on a variety of media platforms. FilmRise Channel and Forensic Files Channel both feature full episodes of Forensic Files on YouTube. You can also find full episodes of Forensic Files on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. On Netflix, the seasons are grouped as collection 1-9. On Amazon Prime Video, you can find Season 1-10 here; Season 11; Season 12; Season 13; Season 14; Season 15; Season 16; Season 17; Season 18; Season 19; Season 20; and Season 21. Start bingeing and see for yourself why Forensic Files is such a hit!

Related Links:
Thomas W. Druce – Wikipedia
Capitol Crimes | Forensic Files | IMDb
Capitol Crimes | Forensic Files | FilmRise (S11,E12)
Capitol Crimes | Forensic Files | Full Episodes (YouTube)
Capitol Crimes | Forensic Files | Netflix (Collection 2,E32)
Capitol Crimes | Forensic Files | Amazon Prime Video (S11,E3)
Forensic Files – Season 11, ep 12 – Capitol crimes | Readable
Thomas Druce: Pennsylvania’s Not Proud – Forensic Files Now
Thomas Druce: The Epilogue – Forensic Files Now
10 Great ‘Forensic Files’ Episodes and How to Find Them on Netflix
Forensic Files: 12 Active Duty Military and Veteran Homicide Cases [Full Episodes]
Accusations cause turmoil for caucus
In Harrisburg: A moment of truth
Lawmaker Sentenced for Hit-and-Run
Jailed Pa. Politician Bailed Out for Holidays
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Thomas W. DRUCE, III (March 15, 2002)
Pa. Court Upholds Sentence of Former Rep. Druce
Ex-Rep. Druce heads back to prison
Druce free after serving 2 years for hit-run ** Ex-legislator’s vehicle struck and killed man in ’99. He faces divorce.
Scandals ingrained in state government history
Pa. lawmaker charged in fatal hit-and-run to terror attack: Ed Marsico as DA ‘best of the best’

Fort Bragg Army Captain Jeremy Chandler Died After Explosives Detonated During Training Operations in Afghanistan (August 11, 2005)

On August 11, 2005August 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Captain Jeremy Chandler, 30, died while he was conducting training operations at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on August 11, 2005. Capt. Chandler died while he was preparing for combat operations in Afghanistan. Capt. Chandler was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the incident was under investigation. According to an article in Savannah Now, Jeremy and his team were conducting pre-mission training operations at FOB Ripley when explosives issued to the team detonated and killed Jeremy.

“The Captain Jeremy Chandler Leadership Scholarship was established at North Georgia College & State University immediately following Jeremy’s death. The scholarship is offered annually to a participant of Ranger Challenge, one of the cadet organizations at the school. The Jeremy Chandler Medical Clinic in Afghanistan was dedicated in Jeremy’s name in November 2006. Jonnie and Al said they wept upon hearing the news of the dedication….Jeremy’s legacy is also being carried on through the Captain Jeremy Chandler Marine Marathon Team in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The event raises money to provide educational assistance for the children of fallen Special Operations personnel.” -Savannah Now (May 16, 2007)

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Honor the Fallen: Army Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler
Special Forces: Capt. Jeremy Allen Chandler
Green Beret Foundation: Jeremy A. Chandler
The last word he would use to describe himself was hero’
4th annual Captain Jeremy Alan Chandler Memorial scholarship
Jamie Alden, A Warrior’s Request for Memorial Day
August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
DoD: Flag for a Friend

Forensic Files Premiered ‘Plastic Puzzle’: Navy Veteran Kirk Hudson Struck & Killed in Hit-And-Run Accident in Kalamazoo, Michigan (June 1, 2005)

On June 1, 2005August 6, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Navy, True Crime, VeteransLeave a comment

A man riding a bicycle was fatally injured, and police believed he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Tiny clues found at the scene created a picture of the vehicle which struck him and led police to its driver. -Plastic Puzzle, Forensic Files (S10,E3)

Editor’s Note: Full episodes of Forensic Files are available on a variety of media platforms. Forensic Files Channel features full episodes of Forensic Files on YouTube. You can also find full episodes of Forensic Files on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. On Netflix, the seasons are grouped as collection 1-9. On Amazon Prime Video, you can find Season 1-10 here; Season 11; Season 12; Season 13; Season 14; Season 15; Season 16; Season 17; Season 18; Season 19; Season 20; and Season 21. Start bingeing and see for yourself why Forensic Files is such a hit!

Related Links:
Kirk Glenstan Hudson (February 18, 1995)
Plastic Puzzle | Forensic Files | IMDb
Plastic Puzzle | Forensic Files | Full Episodes (S10,E3)
Plastic Puzzle | Forensic Files | Netflix (Collection 2, E11)
Plastic Puzzle | Forensic Files | Amazon Prime Video (S10,E1)
Forensic Files: 13 Active Duty Military and Veteran Homicide Cases [Full Episodes]
PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellant v. James Arthur NORTHEY, Defendant-Appellee (Court of Appeals of Michigan, 1998)

Army Lt. Col. Dominic ‘Rocky’ Baragona Died After a Tractor-Trailer Jackknifed on the Road and Collided with his HMMWV in Iraq (May 19, 2003)

On May 19, 2003May 5, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

LTC Rocky Baragona, US Army (2003) — LTC Dominic ‘Rocky’ Baragona, US Army

Army Lt. Col. Dominic ‘Rocky’ Baragona, 42, was killed on May 19, 2003 in Iraq (specific location not provided). A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the road and collided with Lt. Col. Baragona’s HMMWV causing his death. Baragona was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 19th Maintenance Battalion at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. At the time of the press release, the incident was under investigation.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Lt. Col. Dominic R. Baragona
Dominic Rocco Baragona, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army
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Glimpses of U.S. soldiers killed in May
Love and sacrifice
Vice President’s Remarks at the U.S. Military Academy Commencement
Baragona V. Kuwait Gulf Links Transport Co
Court: Contractor owes $5 million to U.S. soldier’s family
Dad of dead Ohio soldier seeks justice from Congress
Soldier’s family brings fight with contractor to Congress
Congressman Ryan to Introduce Baragona at Senate Hearing
Father of valley soldier testifies before Congress
Senators introduce enhanced Baragona legislation
Lieutenant Colonel Dominic “Rocky” Baragona Justice for American Heroes Harmed by Contractors Act
Kuwait Contractor Fights $4.9 Million Ga. Judgment on Jurisdictional Grounds
Judge overturns $4.9M award in Iraq death of Ohio soldier
Court Dismisses Dominic “Rocky” Baragona Lawsuit
Should Foreign Contractors Be Held Accountable in US Courts?
The struggle to police foreign subcontractors in Iraq and Afghanistan
Letter to Roberts Gates from Senator Claire McCaskill (2011)
Dads mourn sons lost in wars

Kathleen Hunt Found Deceased at Bottom of Stairs in NC Home; Spouse Michael Peterson Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter to Avoid Second Trial (Dec. 9, 2001)

On December 9, 2001June 12, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Scandals, USMCLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2018-05-18 at 3.45.47 PM — Kathleen Hunt Peterson (December 9, 2001)

Kathleen Hunt Peterson was found deceased by her husband Michael Peterson at the bottom of the stairs in her Durham, North Carolina home. When investigators arrived at the home, they were suspicious because the scene did not appear to match Michael’s theory of what had occurred. Kathleen’s head had been bludgeoned with a blunt instrument. Once the prosecutors learned that Michael also found military widow Elizabeth Ratliff deceased at the bottom of her stairs in Germany, they felt this was not a coincidence. Michael Peterson and his wife at the time adopted Ratliff’s two daughters. Years later Peterson divorced his wife and eventually married Kathleen Hunt (Peterson). Sixteen years after Ratliff died, Kathleen was dead and it was in the same manner as Elizabeth Ratliff. Investigators decided that they needed to take a look at the Ratliff case again and exhumed her body. Peterson was never charged with the death of Elizabeth Ratliff and her two daughters stand behind their adopted father.

After an extensive investigation, Michael Peterson was charged with the first degree murder of his wife Kathleen Peterson. In 2003, Peterson was convicted of the first degree murder of Kathleen and sentenced to life in prison with no parole. Although a few years later in 2011 Michael Peterson was able to get a retrial on appeal. In the second trial, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2017, using an Alford Plea, and was freed from prison with time served after 8 years. Investigation Discovery (ID) featured a series called “An American Murder Mystery: The Staircase” that showcased the case details of both Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson. Michael Peterson maintains his innocence and his attorney’s theorized that an owl most likely caused the injuries on Kathleen’s head. Netflix is also featuring a series titled “The Staircase” and it is premiering on June 8, 2018. The ID docu-series left the viewer seriously questioning the actions of the courts after Peterson was released.

With the knowledge of the criminal evidence against him, Aphrodite Jones speaks with convicted murderer, Michael Peterson, about the murder of his wife and his bisexual affair. -True Crime with Aphrodite Jones

MJFA Links:
Military Widow Elizabeth Ratliff Found Deceased at the Bottom of Stairs in Germany; Michael Peterson Last Person to See Alive, Adopted Ratliff’s 2 Daughters (Nov. 25, 1985)
Marine Corps Veteran Michael Peterson Convicted of the Murder of Wife Kathleen; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (October 10, 2003)
Marine Vet Michael Peterson Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter of Wife Kathleen to Avoid 2nd Trial; Agreed to Alford Plea, Released with Time Served (Feb. 24, 2017)
Investigation Discovery Premiered ‘An American Murder Mystery: The Staircase’ (April 8, 2018)
Netflix Premiered ‘The Staircase’: A Docuseries Examining Marine Veteran Michael Peterson’s Durham, North Carolina Murder Trial (2018)

Investigators are stunned to discover that sixteen years ago, Michael Peterson’s good friend Liz Ratliff also died at the bottom of a staircase, lying in a pool of blood. The trial begins and experts battle over the interpretation of blood spatter. -An American Murder Mystery: The Staircase

Department of Defense: Statement of Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Accident in Vietnam (April 7, 2001)

On April 7, 2001August 7, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld today released the following statement (April 7, 2001):

“Americans are saddened by today’s tragic loss of life of both U.S. and Vietnamese service personnel in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Those of us in the Department of Defense, and the families of our missing, are keenly aware of the dedication of both the American and Vietnamese team members who were, on this very day, searching for servicemen who have been missing in action since the end of the war.”

Read more from the Department of Defense here.

7 Americans, 9 Vietnamese Die in Viet Helo Crash (April 10, 2001):

“The Americans killed in the crash were identified as Army Lt. Col. Rennie M. Cory Jr., commander, Detachment 2, Joint Task Force-Full Accounting; Army Lt. Col. George D. Martin III, incoming commander; Air Force Maj. Charles E. Lewis, deputy commander; Army Sgt. 1st Class Tommy J. Murphy, mortuary affairs team sergeant, Central Identification Laboratory-Hawaii; Navy Chief Petty Officer Pedro J. Gonzales, corpsman; and Air Force Master Sgt. Steven L. Moser and Tech. Sgt. Robert M. Flynn, linguists. U.S. Pacific Command officials in Hawaii released the names April 9 at 7 p.m. The Vietnamese dead include the three-member crew and four aircraft technicians. Also killed were two members of the Vietnamese agency that assists U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint Task Force-Full Accounting in its investigation and recovery efforts.”

Read more from the Department of Defense here.

“A Pacific Command investigation into an April 7 helicopter crash that killed seven U.S. servicemen in Vietnam found that deteriorating weather conditions, poor visibility and the Vietnamese pilot’s failure to “properly react” to those conditions were predominant factors in the accident.” –Honolulu Advertiser (October 17, 2001)

Related Links:
Statement of Secretary Rumsfeld on Accident in Vietnam (April 7, 2001)
7 Americans, 9 Vietnamese Die in Viet Helo Crash (April 10, 2001)
US officials mourn Vietnamese helicopter crash victims
U.S. Releases Names of Those Killed in Vietnam Crash
Army, Air Force identify dead in Vietnam crash
Hawaii residents among dead in Vietnam chopper crash
Bodies of 7 returned from Vietnam
Remains of 7 MIA Hunters Return to U.S.
Vietnam crash brings pain to the isle
Never Forgotten: Accounting for American MIAs
Fayetteville Soldier Killed In Helicopter Crash In Vietnam
Virtual Vietnam Veterans In Memory Honor Roll | Rennie Melville Cory Jr.
In Memory of Lt. Col. Rennie Cory Jr
The Bone Collectors | Newsweek
Honoring JTF-FA Heroes
Poor visibility, pilot blamed in Vietnam copter crash
Gone but Never Forgotten

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: Accident

Navy Seaman Sandra Grant Died of Natural Causes While Aboard the USS Eisenhower in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (December 31, 2006)

Army Lt. Col. Dominic ‘Rocky’ Baragona Died After a Tractor-Trailer Jackknifed on the Road and Collided with his HMMWV in Iraq (May 19, 2003)

Kathleen Hunt Found Deceased at Bottom of Stairs in NC Home; Spouse Michael Peterson Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter to Avoid Second Trial (Dec. 9, 2001)

Department of Defense: Statement of Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Accident in Vietnam (April 7, 2001)

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