Former Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) Introduced the Holley Lynn James Act (April 12, 2011)

[Former] Rep. Bruce Braley introduces the Holley Lynn James Act — a bill to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the military get justice. The bill is named after Holley Lynn James, a constituent of [former] Rep. Braley who was killed by her husband while both were in the service. -[Former] Rep. Bruce Braley (April 12, 2011)

In Their Name:

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Holley Lynn James Wimunc 2
2nd Lt. Holley Lynn James, U.S. Army

“The U.S. military could crack down on internal cases of sexual and domestic abuse. That’s if a bill that [former] Congressman Bruce Braley has written becomes law. The bill is named after this former Dubuque [Iowa] woman. In 2008, Holley Lynn James’ husband killed her at their home at a military base in North Carolina. Both James and her husband John Wimunc were in the military. [KCRG spoke with James’ father] Call it a gut feeling or a father’s intuition, during the spring of 2008 Jesse James knew something wasn’t right with his daughter’s marriage. ‘We were constantly calling the unit, calling the unit and they would do something but it didn’t last very long’ (Jesse James) Two months before her death, Army 2nd Lt. Holley James filed a domestic violence complaint with police against her estranged husband Marine Corporal John Wimunc.

[Wimunc] later killed Holley, dismembered her body, then set her apartment on fire. ‘The military has never had a system of investigating and prosecuting these cases’ (Jesse James). But [former] Congressman Braley’s new bill aims to change all that. It would create an Inspector General’s office to handle abuse cases. There would be a resource department for victims and would include a neutral third party investigator. ‘This isn’t an indictment on military leaders, it’s just that people who are more qualified with the life experiences to investigate and prosecute these things need to be doing it’ (Jesse James). James says he’ll never know but a department like this may have saved his daughter’s life…John Wimunc pleaded guilty to Holley James murder and a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole. James had two children from a previous relationship. Jesse James says the children are doing well and living with their father…”

“Last year the Department of Defense reported more than 3000 instances of sexual assault in the military. Now [former] Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley has introduced legislation that aims to bring that number down. ‘When it has to do with woman serving their country in the military, I can’t think of a better reason for people to come together and come up with a solution to an alarming problem’ (Rep. Bruce Braley). In Dubuque today, Braley spoke about the Holley Lynn James Act. It would help victims of sexual and domestic abuse in the military. The bill is named after the Dubuque native and Army 2nd Lt. [Holley Lynn James] who was killed by her husband [John Wimunc] in 2008. The bill would enlist the office of Inspector General to provide independent oversight in reported cases.” –KCRG-TV (April 12, 2011)

Related Links:
Rep. Braley introduces Holley Lynn James Act (April 12, 2011)
H.R.1517 – Holley Lynn James Act (112th Congress, 2011-2012)
To amend titles 10 and 28, United States Code, to provide for military sexual assault and domestic violence accountability, and for other purposes.
Domestic Violence, Where Does it End? (Interview with Jesse James)
Braley says Defense Department moves involving domestic violence are encouraging
Accountability for Sexual Assault Perpetrator in the Military
Battle over dedication to the military
New Braley ad pushes Senate hopeful’s ability to work across party lines
Slain soldier’s father lauds Braley
Sgt. Bill Coffin Murdered Ex-Fiancee After Civilian Courts Issued Protective Order, Judge Alleges Army Routinely Ignores Court Orders (December 15, 1997)
Army Staff Sgt. Paul Norris Fatally Shot Army Spc. Kamisha Block in Iraq After She Ended a Forbidden Relationship, Then Ended His Own Life (August 16, 2007)
Camp Lejeune Marine Maria Lauterbach & Unborn Child Murdered, Remains Discovered in Fellow Marine’s Backyard; Cesar Laurean Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (December 15, 2007)
Army Nurse Lt. Holley Lynn James Murdered by Marine Husband the Day After She Announced Divorce; John Wimunc Plead Guilty, Sentenced to Life in Prison (July 9, 2008)
HOR Oversight Subcommittee on National Security & Foreign Affairs Held a Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military (July 31, 2008)
History: The Military And Domestic Abuse (2009)
Congress Told That DOD Data on Sexual Assault and Rape in Military Is ‘Lacking in Accuracy, Reliability and Validity’ (2010)
Lauterbach Case Prompts Policy Reforms for Victims of Crime in the Military (December 25, 2011)
Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Evidence Reveals Army Reserve Recruiter Adam Arndt Murdered High School Student & Recruit Michelle Miller, Then Killed Self; Army Claims Double Suicide (April 8, 2013)
WMAR-2 News: Family of Katherine Morris wants Dept. of Justice to investigate death (August 10, 2015)
An Open Letter to the Senate and House of Representatives in Support of the Military Justice Improvement Act (June 1, 2016)
Army Pfc. Shadow McClaine Reported Missing at Fort Campbell; Ex-Husband Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray & Spc. Charles Robinson Pleaded Guilty to Murder (September 2, 2016)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members (2016)
Army Pvt. Paige Fontenot Briles Found Unresponsive in Vehicle at Fort Hood Housing in Texas; Initially CID Investigated as Homicide But Later Ruled Suicide (December 24, 2016)
30 Domestic Abuse Cases in the Military That Ended in the Murder of Female Partners
48 Hours NCIS Premiered ‘Trail of Fire’ on CBS: Holley Wimunc, Domestic Violence, and the Holley Lynn James Act (June 26, 2018)
Military Families for Justice

Navy Lt. CDR Fred Trayers Fatally Stabbed by Jealous Wife Angered by Infidelity; Jennifer Trayers Sentenced to 16 Years to Life (December 4, 2010)

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Lt CDR Fred Trayers, US Navy
  • Fred Trayers was stabbed to death on December 4th, 2010.
  • Fred Trayer’s wife Jennifer was charged with his murder.
  • Jennifer Trayers was found guilty of second degree murder in 2012.
  • Jennifer was sentenced to 16 years to life in a California state prison.

Investigation Discovery:

Fred and Jennifer have a picture perfect marriage. But when Fred meets Danielle, a young doctor in the Navy, Jennifer fights to keep Fred for herself. The love triangle explodes, leaving police struggling to understand a grisly crime scene. -Naval Affairs, Scorned: Love Kills (S3, E1)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Peabody native slain in Calif.
Navy doctor’s wife arrested in husband’s killing in San Diego
Jennifer Trayers/Fred Trayers/Danielle Robins Love Triangle: Five Riddles!
Mistress Testifies in Love Triangle Murder Trial
Mistress of Doctor Who Was Stabbed to Death Testifies at Widow’s Trial
New Details Emerge In Love Triangle Murder Trial
Did Jealous Wife Commit Murder?
Navy Doc’s Wife Was Also Having An Affair
Deadly love triangle: Mistress of murdered Navy doctor tells court how lover was going to leave his wife ‘before she stabbed him ten times after learning of affair’
Closing arguments in Navy wife’s murder trial
Deadly love triangle case goes to jury
Navy Wife Guilty of Second-Degree Murder
Wife guilty of killing her Navy doctor husband
Wife sentenced in killing of Navy doctor
Jury finds Navy wife guilty of second-degree murder in husband’s death
Navy husband killer gets 16 years to life in prison
Navy Doc Hacked to Death by Jealous Wife
The People v Jennifer Michelle Trayers, California Appellate Court (2014)
Wife Kills Navy Doctor in Love Triangle
Jennifer Trayers killed her husband, Navy Lt. Commander Fred Trayers, for having an affair with Danielle Robbins
Investigation Discovery: Scorned: Love Kills, “A Revenge Affair”
Naval Affairs | Scorned: Love Kills | Investigation Discovery (S3,E1)
Naval Affairs | Scorned: Love Kills | Investigation Discovery (website)
Naval Affairs | Scorned: Love Kills | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Scorned, Love Kills Premiered ‘Naval Affairs’ on Investigation Discovery: Jealous Wife Kills Fred Trayers After Learning About Affair (January 4, 2014)
Scorned, Love Kills: 6 Active Duty Military Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet Shot & Killed as He Got Ready to Leave for Work; Spouse Michelle Paet Sentenced to Life, No Parole for Murder (December 1, 2010)

Nathan Paet
Nathan Paet, U.S. Air Force (photo: Facebook)

Air Force service member Nathan Paet was shot and killed after opening his garage door as he was leaving for work on December 1st, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nathan and Michelle Paet were both from Guam, were high school sweethearts, and had four beautiful children together. Nathan was an assistant NCOIC for the Strike Aircraft Maintenance Supply section of the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The couple were struggling financially after they bought a new home in Las Vegas so Nathan volunteered for a six-month deployment to Iraq and Michelle got a part-time job. Upon Nathan’s return to Nevada, he treated his family to an extra special Christmas. And Nathan’s brother Eric Paet paid him a special visit. Eric said the last time he saw his brother, he could sense something wasn’t right. Eric observed that Nathan and Michelle didn’t appear to be getting along and the couple were struggling to pay the bills. As Eric and his wife were leaving, they sensed Nathan wanted to tell them something, but he didn’t.

On December 1, 2010, Michelle called 911 to get help for Nathan who had been shot in the neck and couldn’t talk but was still alive. Unfortunately, despite the doctor’s best efforts, Nathan died at the hospital. Police wasted no time hunting for Nathan’s killer because this wasn’t something they were used to in the Mountain’s Edge suburb. A witness observed a man speed away in a black Cadillac on the day in question. When Michelle Paet was interviewed, she admitted to knowing someone who owned a black Cadillac and his name was Michael Rodriguez. Rodriguez had a police record but nothing violent. When Rodriguez was questioned, he admitted to having a casual affair with Michelle but nothing sexual. His alibi at the time of the murder was that he was sleeping with a woman he met at a Wal-Mart. He even offered up a video of the encounter. Police went to the motel he claimed he was at and they indeed found him on the security camera footage. In the meantime, Michael’s alibi, the woman he claimed to be with, saw the media coverage and decided to go to the police.

Michael’s alibi told police that Jessica Austin asked her to be an alibi for Corry Hawkins and Michael Rodriguez. She was supposed to say she was with them all day. The alibi claimed when the pair got back from murdering Nathan Paet, Jessica burned their clothes in the fire place. The police also learned that Michael worked with Michelle Paet. While the Nellis AFB community was honoring Nathan, the Las Vegas Police Department were turning up the heat on Michelle. She finally admitted to having a sexual relationship with Michael Rodriguez. And at this point, detectives suspected that Michelle was involved with Nathan’s murder. Michelle admitted that Nathan suspected her of having an affair and she was afraid Nathan would leave her. She didn’t want to leave the marriage empty handed. Michelle and Michael started discussing ways to kill her husband so they could cash out on the life insurance proceeds. The day of the murder, Michelle texted Michael as Nathan was running out the door. She set up the ambush that lead to Nathan’s death. Hours after he was dead, Michelle texted Michael a smiley face.

Michelle Paet was arrested on suspicion of murder. The district attorney theorized Michael Rodriguez and Corry Hawkins lied in wait for Nathan to leave for work. The plan was to kidnap Nathan at gunpoint, drive him out to the desert, kill him and leave him. As soon as Nathan opened up the garage door, he was confronted and refused to cooperate so Rodriguez shot him and fled the scene. Nathan immediately went inside his home thinking he was running away from danger but instead he was running right into it. On December 7, 2010, Michael Rodriguez was arrested for the murder of Nathan Paet. Rodriguez was found guilty of first degree murder, Corry Hawkins pleaded guilty to first degree murder, and Jessica Austin was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. Michelle Paet was the cold, calculating and cunning planner. She wanted to take the $650,000, go to Guam with her children, and live like a queen. To avoid the death penalty, Michelle Paet pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Source: ‘Watch Your Back’ American Monster, Investigation Discovery

In the News:

Michelle Paet sobbed in court as she pleaded guilty to plotting her husband’s death with her ex-lover, Michael Rodriguez, who was also found guilty last week of gunning down Nathan Paet. -PNC News

Michelle Paet had pleaded guilty to murdering her husband to avoid the death penalty. -PNC News

Corry Hawkins, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the slaying of Nellis airman Nathan Paet, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. -Las Vegas Review-Journal

Oxygen:

A happy military family kept walls up that were soon to be knocked down. Did Michelle’s husband bring his fate upon himself, or was she behind the whole thing? -Michelle Paet, Snapped

Those involved with the case give their input on the verdict and Michelle’s future. -Michelle Paet, Snapped

Michelle Fleck details all the ways Michelle Paet plotted to “get rid” of her late husband, Nathan. -Michelle Paet, Snapped

Michelle’s sister, Melissa, speaks fondly of Michelle. -Michelle Paet, Snapped

An Air Force sergeant is gunned down in his garage revealing an elaborate conspiracy with an unlikely mastermind. -Michelle Paet, Snapped

Investigation Discovery:

US Air Force sergeant Nathan Paet and his family appear to live a blissfully normal life – as these never-before-aired home videos attest. But blind greed would bring about the destruction of this loving family. -Watch Your Back, American Monster (S3, E6)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
In Memory Of Nathan Paet | Facebook
Wife of Nellis airman arrested in husband’s death
Wife of Murdered Iraq War Vet Arrested in Las Vegas Shooting Death
Ex-con found guilty in Vegas slaying of US airman from Guam
Ex-convict found guilty in Las Vegas murder, conspiracy plot with wife of US airman
Cheating widow sobs as she pleads guilty to setting up the shooting murder of her airman husband who was left bleeding to death in front of their four children
Wife plotted with lover to kill airman husband so she could claim life insurance
Woman gets life in prison without parole in death of husband, a Nellis airman
Michelle Paet sentenced to life without parole for conspiring to kill her husband
Man gets life in prison without parole for slaying of Nellis airman
No parole for defendant in slaying of U.S. airman from Guam
Vegas mom gets life in prison for life insurance death of husband
Wife of Slain Airman Pleads Guilty to Avoid Death Penalty
Paet Sentenced to Life in Murder-For-Hire of Husband
Woman sentenced to life for killing airman husband
Man gets life without parole for murder of Nellis airman
Michelle Paet | Snapped | Oxygen (S21, E8)
Michelle Paet | Snapped | Oxygen (Amazon)
Snapped: Sneak Peek – Did Michelle Do It? (Season 21, Episode 8) | Oxygen
Snapped: After The Verdict – Michelle Paet (Season 21, Episode 8) | Oxygen
Snapped: Bonus Clip – Prosecutor Michelle Fleck (Season 21, Episode 8) | Oxygen
Snapped: Bonus Clip – Kind Words for Michelle (Season 21, Episode 8) | Oxygen
Watch Your Back | American Monster | Investigation Discovery (S3, E6)
Watch Your Back | American Monster | Investigation Discovery (website)
Watch Your Back | American Monster | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Snapped Premiered ‘Michelle Paet’ on Oxygen: Air Force Sergeant Gunned Down in Garage Reveals Baffling Conspiracy (September 24, 2017)
American Monster Premiered ‘Watch Your Back’ on ID: Michelle Paet Pleaded Guilty to Conspiring to Murder Husband Nathan Paet (August 19, 2018)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

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)

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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)

Fort Bragg Army Spc. Morganne McBeth Killed by Fellow Soldier in Iraq; Spc. Nicholas Bailey Sentenced to Nine Months in Prison (July 2, 2010)

Morganne McBeth.png
Spc. Morganne McBeth, U.S. Army

Army Spc. Morganne McBeth, 19, died July 2, 2010 of wounds sustained on July 1. This was considered a non combat death in Iraq and her death was ruled a homicide. Morganne was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. McBeth was stabbed by a fellow Army soldier Specialist Nicholas Bailey. According to court testimony, Bailey stabbed Morganne McBeth while ‘horsing around’ in a tent in Iraq. Nicholas Bailey was sentenced to nine months in prison, demoted to private, and given a bad conduct discharge.

“Involuntary manslaughter can be committed in one of two ways,” an 82nd Airborne official said in an e-mail. “…through culpable negligence or by causing a death while committing or attempting to commit an offense directly affecting the person, other than burglary, sodomy, rape, robbery, or aggravated arson. Note that these are the five offenses covered in the felony murder rule. As the manual for court martials points out, culpable negligence is a degree of carelessness greater than simple negligence. It is a negligent act or omission which is accompanied by a culpable disregard for the foreseeable consequences to others of that act or omission.” -Army Times

Related Links:
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Spc. Morganne M. McBeth
Army Spc. Morganne McBeth | Military Wall of Honor Facebook
Morganne Marie McBeth, Specialist, United States Army
82nd Airborne combat medic dies in Iraq
Fredericksburg Service Woman Dies in Iraq
Army reported Va. medic’s death in Iraq as accidental, then self-inflicted, now murder
Soldier’s Death Called Murder
Army: 2 soldiers charged in medic’s death in Iraq
Two Ft. Bragg Soldiers Charged in the July 2, 2010 Death of Spc. Morganne McBeth in Iraq (Update)
2 Bragg soldiers charged in stabbing of spc. (Army Times)
Witness: Paratrooper tired of lying to cover up medic’s death
Stepmother of Slain Female Soldier Asks Court to Show Leniency
Guilty plea in death of local medic
Soldier pleads guilty in McBeth’s death
Soldier gets 9 months for stabbing death
Bragg soldier gets nine months in prison for medic’s death
Hiding Military Sexual Trauma
Military women die in suspicious non-combat events. Families ask: Why?
No End in Sight for a Family’s Agonizing Guessing Game
Violent Crime, Non Combat Death and Suicide at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (US Army)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the U.S. Military (Iraq)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members

The Nation | In the Name of Pat Tillman: Good Riddance to Stanley McChrystal (June 25, 2010)

Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman, U.S. Army

In the Name of Pat Tillman: Good Riddance to Stanley McChrystal

When NFL player-turned-Army Ranger Pat Tillman died at the hands of US troops in a case of “friendly fire,” the spin machine at the Pentagon went into overdrive. Rumsfeld and company couldn’t have their most high-profile soldier dying in such an inelegant fashion, especially with the release of those pesky photos from Abu Ghraib hitting the airwaves. So an obscene lie was told to Tillman’s family, his friends and the American public. The chickenhawks in charge, whose only exposure to war was watching John Wayne movies, claimed that he died charging a hill and was cut down by the radical Islamic enemies of freedom. In the weeks preceding his death, Tillman was beginning to question what exactly he was fighting for, telling friends that he believed the war in Iraq was ” [expletive] illegal.” He may not have known what he was fighting for, but it’s now clear what he died for: public relations. Today, after five years, six investigations and two Congressional hearings, questions still linger about how Tillman died and why it was covered up.

Read more from The Nation here.

Army Spc. Christopher Opat Died of a Non Combat-Related Incident in Baquah, Iraq (June 15, 2010)

opat-older
Spc. Christopher Opat, U.S. Army

Army Spc. Christopher W. Opat, 29, died of a non combat related incident on June 15, 2010 in Baquah, Iraq. Spc. Opat was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. According to the Department of Defense, at the time of the press release the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation.

Related Links:
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
Army Spc. Christopher W. Opat
Cresco soldier dies in Iraq
Local residents show support for fallen soldier
Father of fallen soldier says son was dedicated to service
Christopher Wesley Opat | Remembering the Fallen
Spc. Christopher W. Opat
Christopher Opat, 29, Lime Springs
Procession for fallen Army soldier to go through Spring Valley Tuesday morning
U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Opat laid to rest
A family buries a hero
Flags lowered in Iowa in honor of soldier Christopher Opat
US troops who have died while serving in Iraq and Kuwait

Army Pvt. Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez Died By Suicide After Jumping Off the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York (June 10, 2010)

Elizabeth Lynch
Pvt. Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez, U.S. Army

Army Pvt. Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez, 19, died on June 10, 2010 after jumping off the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Related Links:
19-Year-Old Dies in Plunge Off Tappan Zee Bridge
Police Confirm Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez’s Body Washes Ashore
Witnesses recount pleading with TZ jumper
Community Says Farewell to Elizabeth Lynch-Gonzalez
Army pvt. bound for Hood jumps from NY bridge
Soldier who jumped to her death was upset about deployment