August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)

Department of Defense

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jessica Wing, 42, NCD, Kuwait, Maine Army National Guard

08/28/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Christopher Birdwell, 25, and Mabry Anders, 21, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/27/2012:  Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified: William T. Brown, US Army

08/26/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Patricia Horne, 20, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/23/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Louis Torres, 23, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/22/2012:  Airman Missing in Action from WWII Identified: John E. Hogan, US Army Air Forces

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: David V. Williams, 24, NCD, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/21/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Coater Debose, 55, Afghanistan, Camp Shelby, Mississippi

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 4 Army Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Brian Hornsby, 37, Suresh Krause, 29, Richard Essex, 23, and Luis Oliver Galbreath, NCDs, Afghanistan, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 2 Navy Casualties in Helicopter Crash: Patrick Feeks, 28, and David Warsen, 27, NCDs, Afghanistan, West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies 1 Navy Casualty in Helicopter Crash: Sean Carson, 32, NCDs, Afghanistan, EOD, San Diego, California

08/20/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine and Navy Casualties: Gregory Copes, 36, and Darrel Enos, 36, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/19/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Justice, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/18/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Demarsico II, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/17/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Holman, 39, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/16/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Keller, 22, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Scott Dickinson, 29, Richard Rivera, 20, and Gregory Buckley, 21, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

08/13/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Matthew Manoukian, 29, Ryan Jeschke, 31, and Sky Mote, 27, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Trent, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Kennedy, 35, and Kevin Griffin, 45, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ethan Martin, 22, Afghanistan, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

08/09/2012:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Walter Gray, 38, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Clayton Beauchamp, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/08/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Daniel Linnabary II, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/06/2012:  Airmen Missing from Vietnam War Identified: Charles M. Walling, US Air Force

08/05/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Russell Bell, 37, and Matthew Sitton, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/03/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Todd Lambka, 25, and Jesus Lopez, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle McClain, 25, Afghanistan, Michigan Army National Guard

08/02/2012:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Curtis Duarte, 22, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

Related Links:
Insider outrage: Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr., 21
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2002)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2003)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2008)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2009)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2010)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2011)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2013)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2014)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2015)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2016)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2017)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Afghanistan)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Other Areas)

Army Spouse Katherine Morris Found Dead in Car Near Mall; Cause of Death Initially Ruled Suicide But Further Investigation Suggests Homicide Motivated by Insurance Fraud (May 6, 2012)

Screen Shot 2017-03-24 at 12.48.18 PM
Katherine Morris

Katherine Morris, 22, was found dead in her car near the Arundel Mills Mall in Maryland on May 6, 2012. Katherine was a University of Maryland student and married to Army spouse, Isaac Goodwin, who was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. According to a website dedicated to Katherine Morris, she died from carbon monoxide poisoning from charcoal grills lit in her car. Katherine’s family questioned the ruling of suicide by the Army and the Anne Arundel County police department immediately and were eventually successful at getting some retired civilian detectives to look into their suspicions of homicide motivated by life insurance fraud. Interestingly, Anne Arundel County police department also had jurisdiction of the homicide investigation of Army soldier Karlyn Ramirez, who was murdered in 2015. Karlyn’s husband Maliek Kearney and his new girlfriend Doris Delgado face federal murder charges. Karlyn’s homicide is similar in motive to the theories Katherine’s family has about her suspicious death. Karlyn and Katherine both appear to have been targeted and became the victims of domestic violence and/or life insurance fraud. The true motivation behind the Karlyn Ramirez and Katherine Morris deaths is unknown at this time but given how many homicides occur in the military with the common motive of domestic violence and/or life insurance, the Katherine Morris case deserves a second look.

Three families have asked for similar law changes for victims of domestic violence in the military since 2011. Representative Bruce Braley introduced the Holley Lynn James Act on behalf of Fort Bragg Lt. Holley Wimunc who was murdered by her Marine husband John Wimunc in 2008. The bill was advocating for the removal of the Commander and the Chain of Command from the investigation and adjudication of felony crimes like domestic violence because of their inexperience with the modus operandi of offenders. Unfortunately the bill was never even considered and this bill may have had the power to prevent what happened to Katherine Morris, Michelle Miller, and Karlyn Ramirez. Michelle Miller’s family believes she was targeted by an Army recruiter at her Rockville, Maryland high school and became the victim of domestic violence and homicide, despite the Army’s ruling of a double suicide. As a result, Michelle’s family is advocating for Michelle’s Law, which is an effort to encourage Congress to pass a law that would try military abuse and murder cases in civilian court. Katherine’s family is currently advocating for the Katherine Morris Military Spouse Protection Act. All of these law proposals ask that the Chain of Command be removed from the investigation and adjudication of felony crimes because of their inexperience at handling these complex cases. Similar bills have also been introduced to Congress to include the Sexual Assault Training, Oversight, and Prevention Act and the Military Justice Improvement Act. The military needs experienced investigators to get to the bottom of the truth in an effort to prevent crime and save lives.

In the News:

Family of Katherine Morris wants Dept. of Justice to investigate death. -WMAR-2 News (August 10, 2015)

Related Links:
For Kathy’s Sake, Inc.
Obituary: Katherine Sarah “Kat” Morris
U.Md. student found dead in car near Arundel Mills Mall
Questions abound after student death
Fort Bragg soldier accused of fraud after wife’s suicide
Army investigates allegation soldier drove UMd. student to suicide
Retired officers to give Anne Arundel County cold cases new life
Retired detectives to review 2012 suicide near Arundel Mills
Police reopen probe of Rev. Morris’ daughter’s death
Police Launch Independent Review Into UMD Student’s Suicide Death
Police re-open ‘suicide’ case of wife who was heartbroken after she discovered ‘soldier husband only wed her for Army benefits and was sleeping with other women’
Mother of apparent suicide seeks answers
Marguerite Morris v. Prudential Insurance Company of America (2013)
NAACP seeks federal probe of 2012 death in Hanover
Anne Arundel County mom not convinced her daughter committed suicide, calls for DOJ investigation
Morris v. Goodwin (2014)
Mother’s Search for Answers in Daughter’s Death Leads to Shelter Closure
Anne Arundel Police Response to Freedom of Information Request
Mother seeks emails in daughter’s death investigation
When Katherine Morris, 22, died suddenly, police ruled it suicide, but her mother continues to investigate
Marguerite R. Morris, Personal Representative of the Estate of Katherine Sarah Morris v. Isaac Jerome Goodwin (2016)
Fort Bragg Army Nurse Lt Holley Wimunc Murdered by Marine Husband the Day After She Announced Divorce, John Wimunc Sentenced to Life in Prison (2008)
Evidence Reveals Army Reserve Recruiter Adam Arndt Murdered High School Student Michelle Miller & Then Killed Self, Army Investigators Claim Double Suicide (2013)
Army Pfc Karlyn Ramirez Found Shot to Death in Home, Army Sgt Maliek Kearney & Army Veteran Dolores Delgado Charged with Across State Lines Murder, Feds Prosecuting (2015)
Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance is a Common Motive for Murder
Family of Katherine Morris wants Dept. of Justice to investigate death
Army Specialist Isaac Goodwin allegedly marries for money, and his wife commits suicide
WMAR-2 News: Family of Katherine Morris wants Dept. of Justice to investigate death (August 10, 2015)

Fort Bragg Army Spc. Kelli Bordeaux Disappeared; Convicted Sex Offender Nicholas Holbert Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder (April 14, 2012)

Kelli Bordeaux, US Army
Kelli Bordeaux, U.S. Army (photo: AP)

The cold case of missing US Army soldier Kelli Bordeaux was featured on Investigation Discovery‘s show Swamp Murders (“Murder of the Medic”). Kelli was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina when she disappeared in 2012. The Army contacted the local Fayetteville Police Department and asked them to check on her in her off-base housing because she didn’t show up for work. She was considered Absent Without Leave (AWOL) which is an arrestable offense in the military. She was not located at her home and eventually considered a missing persons case. Her family, friends, and volunteers searched tirelessly for her around the Fayetteville area. Detectives continued their investigation while private investigator David Marshburn began conducting his own investigation. After a lengthy investigation by both the Fayetteville detectives and Marshburn, it was determined that she was murdered by Nick Holbert.

Nick was supposed to give Kelli a ride home the night she went missing and was the last person to see her alive. Holbert was also a convicted sex offender listed on the sex offender registry and out on probation. As a result Holbert was a suspect in the case from the very beginning but the case stalled because the detectives didn’t have any evidence. Although Holbert was arrested and jailed for not keeping his address up to date on the sex offender registry while detectives continued to dig for evidence. Eventually they had to let him out. A couple years later in 2014, Nick finally admitted to David Marshburn that he killed Kelli. He shared that he made a sexual advance towards her and she rejected him which made him angry. She walked away. So he then struck her from behind and beat her to death. He buried her in a shallow grave behind the Froggy Bottoms in a marshy area. Thanks to the persistence of the local Fayetteville investigators and David Marshburn, Kelli’s body was found and the case was solved. Nicholas Michael Holbert was sentenced to life in prison without parole and signed away his right to appeal the sentence.

In The News:

A new photo of Kelli Bordeaux, taken just hours before she disappeared, is released. -HLN (April 26, 2012)

The remains of a Fort Bragg soldier who had been missing for more than two years were found Wednesday. WESH 2 News (May 14, 2014)

Nicholas Holbert, the man accused of killing Fort Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux, pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon, bringing to a conclusion a three-year case of a missing young soldier. -CBS 17 (August 7, 2015)

48 Hours: “The Hunter” | Finding Kelli Bordeaux -CBS Miami (October 23, 2015)

True Crime:

When a young U.S. Army combat medic goes missing, a bounty hunter takes on his biggest case ever. -48 Hours (October 21, 2105)

Olivia Cox and Matt Henson share what they miss most about their “fearless” younger sister and how they are keeping her memory alive. -48 Hours (October 22, 2015)

David Marshburn, a bounty hunter-turned-P.I., tells “48 Hours” correspondent Troy Roberts about his mission and how he became involved in the search for Kelli Bordeaux, a missing Fort Bragg combat medic. -48 Hours (October 23, 2015)

In never-before-seen video recorded by Fayetteville Police on May 14, 2014, prime suspect Nick Holbert describes in chilling detail what happened the night Kelli Bordeaux vanished. -48 Hours (October 24, 2015)

In never-before-seen video recorded by Fayetteville,, N.C., Police on May 14, 2014, prime suspect Nick Holbert describes in chilling detail what happened the night Kelli Bordeaux vanished. -48 Hours (October 24, 2015)

Gilbert Baez was the only person to interview Nick Holbert before his arrest for the murder of the Fort Bragg soldier. Baez explains how he got the interview and what Holbert had to say. -48 Hours (October 24, 2015)

A week before she disappeared, Kelli Bordeaux and Justin Thompson went to Froggy Bottoms bar in Fayetteville, N.C. Thompson shares his first impressions of Holbert and why he was worried about Kelli the night she vanished. -48 Hours (October 24, 2015)

Matt Henson and Olivia Cox tell “48 Hours” why they immediately suspected Nick Holbert had hurt their sister and what it was like to come face to face with him. -48 Hours (October 24, 2015)

While her husband is away, a vivacious Army Medic enjoys a night out at a dive bar near Fort Bragg, NC. But she never makes it home. And though dogs pick up her scent in a nearby swamp, her fate baffles police. Until a local PI takes up the case. -Murder of the Medic, Swamp Murders (September 30, 2015)

Related Links:
Missing Fort Bragg soldier declared dead one year after she went missing – though her body has never been found
Kelli Bordeaux, Fort Bragg Soldier’s Remains Found Near Bar
Remains of Kelli Bordeaux Found, Nicholas Holbert Charged
Nicholas Michael Holbert: Sex Offender Charged with Murder after Remains of Kelli Bordeaux Found
Suspect in missing Fort Bragg soldier’s death held without bail
Kelli Bordeaux’s mother: suspect led cops to grave
Autopsy reveals how Fort Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux died
St. Cloud soldier died from blunt force head injuries
Bragg soldier Bordeaux died of blunt force head injuries
Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux’s remains found; suspect arrested
Additional bones recovered at Kelli Bordeaux site
Kelli Bordeaux funeral: Service set for slain St. Cloud soldier
Soldiers Pack Chapel to Honor Spc. Kelli Bordeaux
Suspect in murder of Kelli Bordeaux could face death penalty
Guilty Plea Expected in Murder of Fort Bragg Soldier Kelli Bordeaux
DA: Suspect to plead guilty in slaying of Fort Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux
Fayetteville man pleads guilty to killing Kelli Bordeaux
Man Charged in Fort Bragg Soldier Kelli Bordeaux’s Death Pleads Guilty
Nicholas Holbert given life in prison without parole for killing Army Spc. Kelli Bordeaux
Sex offender, 28, who murdered Fort Bragg soldier and kept her shallow grave secret for two years is sentenced to life in prison
Army Soldier Kelli Bordeaux Murdered by Sexual Predator on Sex Offender Registry List
Nicholas Holbert: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Sneak peek: The Hunter: Searching for Kelli Bordeaux
The Hunter: Searching for Kelli Bordeaux
’48 Hours’ details investigation of St. Cloud woman who vanished near Fort Bragg
Facebook: Find Kelli Bordeaux

Video Links:
New photo of Kelli Bordeaux surfaces
New photo released of Kelli Bordeaux
‘We never gave up on her,’ says Kelli Bordeaux’s sister
Bordeaux’s mom to killer: ‘You, Mr. Holbert, I hate’
48 Hours: “The Hunter” – Finding Kelli Bordeaux
Preview: The Hunter: Searching for Kelli Bordeaux
Sneak peek: The Hunter: Searching for Kelli Bordeaux
Suspect’s confession captured on police body cam [Part 1]
Suspect’s confession captured on police body cam [Part 2]
Private investigator: “Everyone is meant to be found”
Reporter on interviewing prime suspect in Kelli Bordeaux disappearance
Kelli Bordeaux’s boyfriend on meeting Nick Holbert
Kelli Bordeaux’s family speaks out about her killer
Remembering Kelli Bordeaux
Murder of the Medic | Swamp Murders | Investigation Discovery (S3,E8)
Murder of the Medic | Swamp Murders | Investigation Discovery (YouTube)
Murder of the Medic | Swamp Murders | Investigation Discovery (Prime Video)

Fort Bragg Army Soldier Joshua Eisenhauer Shot at Police & Firefighters During 4-Hour Standoff at Fayetteville Home (2012)

US Army Seal

Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer was sentenced to 10 to 18 years in prison for shooting at police and firefighters from his apartment in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Related Links:
Bragg soldier charged after standoff at Fayetteville apartment
Former Fort Bragg soldier pleads not guilty in 2012 shooting; Joshua Eisenhauer says he suffered from PTSD when he shot at police, firefighters
Soldier accused in standoff appears in court
Police get help with vets who are ticking bombs
Veteran with PTSD, jailed on attempted murder charges, sues D.A.
Suicides, disputes spur probe of Bragg WTU
Soldier wants a military trial in off-base shooting
Past Friend Speaks Up About Serving with 1st Sgt. Joshua P. Eisenhauer
Parents: Soldier Thought He Was Firing At Afghans
Request the US Army to accept jurisdiction over Josh Eisenhauer’s case
PTSD, Searching for Treatment, Help Staff Sgt Joshua Eisenhauer
Soldier accused in firefight with police is prisoner to PTSD
The Military Doesn’t Always Want Jurisdiction When Prosecuting Service Members
Hearing set for Fort Bragg soldier who fired at police, firefighters in Fayetteville in 2012
Soldier who fired at police in 2012 to be sentenced
Lawyer: Army reneged on Eisenhauer plea deal in PTSD shooting case
Fort Bragg postpones discharge hearing for Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer
Fort Bragg Postpones Discharge Hearing for Accused Shooter
Army board deliberating over fate of Fort Bragg soldier, Joshua Eisenhauer
Fort Bragg Soldier Sentenced for Shooting at Police and Firefighters
Fort Bragg soldier with PTSD gets up to 18 years for flashback-sparked attack
Soldier convicted of shooting at police and firefighters now eligible for VA benefits
2 cases that rocked Fayetteville: New developments this week
Tragedy, Trauma Mark Fort Bragg Soldier’s Path to Prison

Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon’s Mom Speaks Out on Suicide; Family Hopes to Inspire Military-Wide Change (October 14, 2010)

The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes her death may spark change. The 2004 Belding graduate’s body will return to West Michigan on Thursday night, about one week after Sheldon took her own life while serving at a Fort Bragg, N.C., military base. -WOOD TV8 (October 14, 2010)

“Just like any other soldier, whether she died in combat or some other way, she’s still a fallen soldier. She served her country and she served it well.” -Renee Orcatt (Amanda Sheldon’s mom)

Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon, 24, took her own life while stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Sgt. Sheldon was found unresponsive at her off-post home in Fayetteville and was pronounced dead at the local hospital on October 7, 2010. Sgt. Sheldon was attached to the 18th Fires Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. She joined the Army in October 2005 and was assigned to Fort Bragg in February 2010. The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes the circumstances surrounding her untimely death will spark military-wide change. In 2010, the Department of Defense was concerned about the increase in active duty suicides and since then the numbers have only increased. CNN reported the suicide rates among active-duty Marines and the Navy are at a 10-year high on January 28, 2019. Task and Purpose reported Army suicides reached a five-year high on January 31, 2019. Military.com reported Active-Duty military suicides are at Record Highs in 2018.

Related Links:
Sgt Amanda Ann “Mandy” Sheldon | Find a Grave
Grand Rapids soldier Sgt. Amanda Sheldon, 24, dies in N.C. hospital
Female soldier dies at Fayetteville hospital
Police, family say Belding area soldier took her own life
Soldier’s mom speaks out on suicide (YouTube)
Ada family of soldier who died off-base in North Carolina says death was not suspicious
The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes her death may spark change
Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon’s Mom Speaks Out on Suicide; Family Hopes to Inspire Military-Wide Change (October 14, 2010)
The Challenge and the Promise: Strengthening the Force, Preventing Suicide and Saving Lives (2011)
Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Retired Marine Stephanie Schroeder Fights for Servicemember’s Rights at the United Nation’s Geneva Conventions (November 11, 2014)
Ali and Josh Hobson: Sexual Assault and Retaliation in the US Air Force (2015)
62 Percent of Military Sex Assault Reports Result in Retaliation (2015)
Highlights of Lt Col Teresa James, Army National Guard, Military Sexual Assault and Retaliation Case (2015)
Heath Phillips, Active Duty Military & Veterans Advocate, a Voice for Male Victims of Crime (2016)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members (2016)
What Happens When a Rape is Reported in the Military? (2017)
How do we stop the retaliation from happening so victims of crimes in the military feel safe to report? (2017)
Dignified transfer performed for Fort Carson soldier who died on post (2018)
Failing Private Burnham: How the Army Did Not Protect a Minnesota Soldier after a Sexual Assault (2018)
Tribute to a Fallen Soldier | Amanda Sheldon
In Loving Memory of Amanda Ann Sheldon | Facebook

Ada family of soldier who died off-base in North Carolina says death was not suspicious

Ada family of soldier who died off-base in North Carolina says death was not suspicious

Family members say her death is not considered suspicious. Military officials continued to investigate. Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/ada_family_of_soldier_who_died.html

Military Rape Survivor Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon Died by Suicide After Suffering With Depression; Family Hopes Her Death May Spark Change (October 7, 2010)

Sgt Amanda Sheldon, US Army (2010)
Sgt. Amanda Sheldon, U.S. Army

Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon, 24, took her own life while stationed with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Sgt. Sheldon was found unresponsive at her off-post home in Fayetteville and was pronounced dead at the local hospital on October 7, 2010. Sgt. Sheldon’s mom, Renee Orcatt, went public with Amanda’s story in an effort to raise awareness, change policy, and save lives. Renee told the local media that Amanda was a victim of rape in the military at the hands of a superior officer. Amanda reported the crime to the Army and informed them she had been drugged and raped. As a result, the suspect was criminally convicted and discharged from the Army. Initially, Amanda sought help from military counselors and the family reported that she was getting better, yet still struggled with depression. Amanda wanted to deal with it and move on to serve her country as she had originally intended to do.

Unfortunately, according to Renee, this wasn’t the last time Amanda would have to confront her past while serving in the Army. When Amanda was up for promotion, she was asked why she was going to counseling. She would go on to get her promotion, but this line of questioning was something she never wanted to experience again. After making the realization that her past and seeking help was not confidential, counseling was out of the question in her future if she wanted to preserve her career. Sgt. Sheldon felt judged for seeking treatment for military sexual trauma. Her mom reported that Amanda recognized she needed counseling again and was planning on getting out of the military. When she died, she was serving out her final year of enlistment, had plans to go to college, and wanted to start a new life outside the military, with her new love. But her unit got tasked with a deployment to Afghanistan and she set about making plans to go to Afghanistan with her unit before she was discharged from the Army.

Amanda would learn that in order to accomplish this, she would need to re-enlist for two more years. Amanda didn’t want to stay in for two more years and made the devastating decision to stay back. She felt like no matter what decision she made, she was letting someone down. Renee observed that Amanda never came to grips with this decision and entered into depression. Amanda’s mom begged her to get counseling but to Amanda that was no longer an option. Sgt. Sheldon was attached to the 18th Fires Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. She joined the Army in October 2005 and was assigned to Fort Bragg in February 2010. The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes the circumstances surrounding her untimely death will spark military-wide change. In 2010, the Department of Defense was concerned about the increase in active duty suicides and since then the number of suicides in the military has increased.

Editor’s Note: CNN reported the suicide rates among active-duty Marines and the Navy are at a 10-year high on January 28, 2019. Task and Purpose reported Army suicides reached a five-year high on January 31, 2019. Military.com reported Active-Duty military suicides are at Record Highs in 2018. 

“Just like any other soldier, whether she died in combat or some other way, she’s still a fallen soldier. She served her country and she served it well.” -Renee Orcatt (Amanda Sheldon’s mom)

Source: Soldier’s Mom speaks out on suicide, WOOD TV8 (October 14, 2010)

The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes her death may spark change. The 2004 Belding graduate’s body will return to West Michigan on Thursday night, about one week after Sheldon took her own life while serving at a Fort Bragg, N.C., military base. -WOOD TV8 (October 14, 2010)

Related Links:
Sgt Amanda Ann “Mandy” Sheldon | Find a Grave
Grand Rapids soldier Sgt. Amanda Sheldon, 24, dies in N.C. hospital
Female soldier dies at Fayetteville hospital
Police, family say Belding area soldier took her own life
Soldier’s mom speaks out on suicide (YouTube)
Ada family of soldier who died off-base in North Carolina says death was not suspicious
The family of Sgt. Amanda Sheldon hopes her death may spark change
Army Sgt. Amanda Sheldon’s Mom Speaks Out on Suicide; Family Hopes to Inspire Military-Wide Change (October 14, 2010)
The Challenge and the Promise: Strengthening the Force, Preventing Suicide and Saving Lives (2011)
Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Retired Marine Stephanie Schroeder Fights for Servicemember’s Rights at the United Nation’s Geneva Conventions (November 11, 2014)
Ali and Josh Hobson: Sexual Assault and Retaliation in the US Air Force (2015)
62 Percent of Military Sex Assault Reports Result in Retaliation (2015)
Highlights of Lt Col Teresa James, Army National Guard, Military Sexual Assault and Retaliation Case (2015)
Heath Phillips, Active Duty Military & Veterans Advocate, a Voice for Male Victims of Crime (2016)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members (2016)
What Happens When a Rape is Reported in the Military? (2017)
How do we stop the retaliation from happening so victims of crimes in the military feel safe to report? (2017)
Dignified transfer performed for Fort Carson soldier who died on post (2018)
Failing Private Burnham: How the Army Did Not Protect a Minnesota Soldier after a Sexual Assault (2018)
Tribute to a Fallen Soldier | Amanda Sheldon
In Loving Memory of Amanda Ann Sheldon | Facebook

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2010)

xl_deptofdefenselogo

09/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Mark Forester, 29, Afghanistan, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina

09/29/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ralph Fabbri, 20, Afghanstan, Camp Pendleton, California

09/28/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Mark Simpson, 40, and Donald Morrison, 23, Afghanistan, Fort Hood, Texas

09/27/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: William Dawson, 20, and Jaysine Petree, 19, Afghanistan, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

09/27/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Marc Whisenant, 23, NCD, Kuwait, Florida Army National Guard

09/27/2010:  Missing WWII Naval Aviators Identified

09/27/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: John Carrillo Jr, 20, and Gebrah Noonan, 26, NCDs, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/27/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Clinton Springer II, 21, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Drum, New York

09/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Anthony Rosa, 20, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/23/2010:  Missing WWII Soldier is Identified in Germany

09/22/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Robert Baldwin, 39, Matthew Wagstaff, 34, Jonah McClellan, 26, Joshua Powell, 25, and Marvin Calhoun Jr, 23, NCDs, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/22/2010:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Brendan Looney, 29, NCD, Afghanistan, West Coast Based SEAL Team

09/22/2010:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualties: David McLendon, 30, Adam Smith, 26, and Denis Miranda, 24, NCDs, East Coast Based SEAL Team

09/22/2010:  Missing WWII Soldier is Identified

09/22/2010:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Michael Buras, 23, Afghanistan, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

09/21/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Joshua Ose, 19, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Harton, 23, Afghanistan, Fort Drum, New York

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Paul Carron, 33, NCD, Afghanistan, Vilseck, Germany

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Barbara Vieyra, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Hood, Texas

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Timothy Johnson, 24, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ronald Grider, 30, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Eric Yates, 26, and Jaime Newman, 27, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Scott Fleming, 24, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/18/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Deangelo Snow, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/17/2010:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Daniel Sanchez, 23, Afghanistan, Hurlburt Field, Florida

09/17/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Kramer, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/17/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: John Burner III, 32, NCD, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/16/2010:  DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty: James Hansen, 25, NCD, Iraq, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

09/16/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan Hopkins, 21, NCD, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/16/2010:  Army Releases August Suicide Data

09/10/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Todd Weaver, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: John Bishop, 25, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Philip Jenkins, 26, and James McClamrock, 22, NCDs, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jesse Balthaser, 23, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

09/08/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Philip Charte, 22, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/07/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ross Carver, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/07/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason McMahon, 35, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/07/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Diego Montoya, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Hood, Texas

09/03/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Vinson Adkinson III, 26, Raymond Alcaraz, 20, Matthew George, 22, and James Page, 23, Afghanistan, Bamberg, Germany

09/03/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Joshua Twigg, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/02/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Mark Noziska, 24, and Casey Grochowiak, 34, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/02/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Rodgers, 20, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/01/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Cody Roberts, 22, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/01/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Joseph Bovia, 24, Afghanistan, Okinawa, Japan

09/01/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Dale Goetz, 43, Jesse Infante, 30, Kevin Kessler, 32, Matthew West, 36, and Chad Clements, 26, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/01/2010:  U.S. Soldier MIA from Korean War Identified

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2010)

Department of Defense
08/31/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Patrick Durham, 24, and Andrew Castro, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Floyd Holley, 36, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Ellery Wallace, 33, and Bryn Raver, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Chad Coleman, 20, and Adam Novak, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Robinson, 27, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: James Ide, 32, Afghanistan, Sembach, Germany

08/30/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Daniel Fedder, 34, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/29/2010:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: James Swink, 20, Afghanistan, II Marine Expeditionary Forces

08/25/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Justin Shoecraft, 28, Afghanistan, Vilseck, Germany

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Robert Newton, 21, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ronald Rodriguez, 26, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Steven Deluzio, 25, and Tristan Southworth, 21, Afghanistan, Vermont Army National Guard

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Pedro Millet Meletiche, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jason Calo, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/24/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Maggart, 24, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/23/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Alexis Maldonado, 20, Afghanistan, Fort Hood, Texas

08/23/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nathaniel Schultz, 19, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/23/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Wright, 23, Afghanistan, Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia

08/21/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Cody Childers, 19, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Boyd, 22, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Navy Casualty: Collin Thomas, 33, Afghanistan, east-coast based SEAL team

08/20/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Martin Lugo, 24, Afghanistan, Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia

08/19/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Edgar Roberts, 39, Afghanistan, Georgia Army National Guard

08/19/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kevin Oratowski, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/18/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Benjamen Chisholm, 24, and Charles High IV, 21, NCDs, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/18/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Derek Farley, 24, Afghanistan, Grafenwoehr, Germany

08/17/2010:  Airman Missing In Action From WWII Identified: Ray F. Fletcher, US Army Air Forces

08/17/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Jamal Rhett, 24, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

08/16/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Michael Bock, 26, Afghanistan, Twentynine Palms, California

08/13/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kristopher Greer, 25, Afghanistan, Marine Forces Reserve, Knoxville, Tennessee

08/13/2010:  Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified: Roy Stewart, US Army

08/12/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Karch, 23, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/12/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jose Saenz III, 30, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: John Andrade, 19, Afghanistan, Vilseck, Germany

08/11/2010:  Soldiers Missing in Action from Vietnam War Identified: Paul G. Magers, US Army

08/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Paul Cuzzupe, 23, Afghanistan, Vilseck, Germany

08/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualties: Kevin Cornelius, 20, and Vincent Gammone III, 19, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, California

08/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualties: Andrew Nicol, 23, and Bradley Rappuhn, 24, Afghanistan, Fort Benning, Georgia

08/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Faith Hinkley, 23, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/09/2010:  DOD Identifies Marine Casualty: Max Donahue, 23, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/02/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Kyle Stout, 25, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/01/2010:  DOD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Stansbery, 21, Afghanistan, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Related Links:
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2002)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2003)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2008)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2009)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2011)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2012)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2013)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2014)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2015)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2016)
August: Department of Defense Casualties Report (2017)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Afghanistan)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Other Areas)