Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank (February 7, 2006)

On February 7, 2006August 8, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, Scandals, Stateside Death, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment

Army Wives Lifetime — Army Wives, a Lifetime television series based on the non-fiction book written by Tanya Biank.

In Their Name:
Colette, Kimberley & Kristen MacDonald, Fort Bragg (Feb. 17, 1970)
Michael James & Jackie Burden, Fayetteville, NC (December 7, 1995)
Captain Frank ‘Marty’ Theer, U.S. Air Force (December 17, 2000)
Lt. Col. Rennie Cory, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (April 7, 2001)
Pfc. Gary Shane Kalinofski, U.S. Army, Fort Drum (March 4, 2002)
Army Spouse Teresa Nieves, North Carolina (June 11, 2002)
Army Spouse Jennifer Wright, North Carolina (June 29, 2002)
Army Spouse Marilyn Styles-Griffin, North Carolina (July 9, 2002)
Army Spouse & Veteran Andrea Floyd, North Carolina (July 19, 2002)
Major David Shannon, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (July 23, 2002)
Sgt. Erin Edwards, U.S. Army, Fort Hood (July 22, 2004)
Sgt. Ronna Valentine, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg (May 21, 2005)

Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives or Army Wives by Tanya Biank was an excellent read. I first heard about the book when I was researching the 2002 Fort Bragg murders of Teresa Nieves, Jennifer Wright, Marilyn Griffin, Andrea Floyd and Major David Shannon. I ordered it from Amazon and threw it in a pile with all my other military crime books until I saw a Forbidden: Dying for Love episode about the murder of Army spouse Jennifer Wright. The show didn’t mention it but I knew Jennifer’s murder was one of five homicides at Fort Bragg that occurred within a two month period in 2002. I learned more about Jennifer Wright from Investigation Discovery than what’s available on-line. And at the time, the national media was quick to speculate whether war & violence, frequent deployments or anti-malaria drugs were to blame. But after the Army investigated itself, it determined that the high operational tempo after September 11, 2001 placed a great strain on already troubled marriages.

In other words, some form of domestic abuse, financial issues, and adultery in some cases were to blame for stained marriages. I researched the five murders and the motives were similar in four of the cases. Arguments were a pre-cursor to the murders and three out of four of the spouses wanted to leave the relationship. Was rejection the trigger? Domestic violence experts agree leaving the relationship is the most dangerous time. In Major Shannon’s case, it appears that the motive was greed, pure and simple, as greed is one of the most common motives for female killers. Major Shannon’s wife Joan stood to gain a large amount of money from his Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) if he died. This time the Army was most likely correct but unfortunately things haven’t changed to this day. There have been many more victims of domestic violence in the military since 2002 and this book inspired me to honor each and every one of them.

The author Tanya Biank grew up in a military family and covered military issues at Fort Bragg as a reporter for the Fayetteville Observer. Tanya was able to give us a realistic perspective of what was going on at Fort Bragg during the time period right before and after September 11, 2001. Tanya was the one writing about the rash of homicides for the local newspaper during the summer of 2002. As a result of Tanya’s reporting, the main stream media picked up the story and it went national and international. Fort Bragg was forced to answer to a frenzied pack of media outlets and in typical fashion, the Army investigated itself and found themselves not responsible. Although Tanya reported in the book that Congress authorized $5 million for domestic violence programs in the military that year. And on December 2, 2002, President Bush signed into law an act that makes domestic violence protective orders enforceable on military installations.

Tanya was the perfect person to write about Fort Bragg. She had a great understanding of the various perspectives and this was revealed in the book. She talked about how September 11th changed things for both the service member and the families. I found myself feeling thankful for the education about Fort Bragg’s missions and how they fit into the big picture. They train hard for a reason. They are some of the first on the front lines and some of the families have no idea where they are going or how long they will be gone. Unexpectedly, I experienced a myriad of emotions as I read along. Emotions about 9/11, emotions about what was happening at my own squadron, and emotions around the notifications of death. My Commander and a Chaplain informed me of my father’s unexpected death. And my colleagues helped me get home safely. I realized this was standard protocol while reading this book.

I couldn’t put the book down once I started, despite the emotions and memories it triggered. Tanya Biank did a great job of enticing the reader to learn more about the individual and the family, and just when you least expected, the unexpected would happen. It reminded me of my own life and how hard it was to put mission before self year after year when all one was doing was stuffing down the pain. But like those in the book, we don’t seek counseling because it’s considered a career ender. We don’t trust the system so most of us just keep our troubles to ourselves. And for those who want to maintain a security clearance, we know they are going to ask the question about mental health treatment. I understand why the question has to be asked because it’s important to identify someone with suicidal tendencies or anger problems but it prevents the rest of us from asking for the help we need, until it’s too late.

Tanya talked about the unusually high crime rates in Fayetteville and she said its civilians who commit most of the crime. She admitted Fort Bragg was under the shadow of the the murders of Colette, Kimberley & Kristen MacDonald in 1970 because former Captain Jeffrey MacDonald, despite being found guilty, swears he’s innocent. As recently as December 2018, MacDonald was denied a new trial by a federal appeals court and he continues to be the subject of both media and true crime programming. Tanya also talked about the racially motivated murders of Michael James & Jackie Burden in 1995. Army privates James Burmeister and Malcolm Wright were found guilty of the crime. This too made national news and the Army was forced to weed out any perceived Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and skinheads. The media speculated the Army was full of them; turns out this random attack by Fort Bragg soldiers was an isolated incident.

After researching the five Fort Bragg murders in 2002 on-line, I realized that Tanya’s book was the most comprehensive discussion of the incidents. The book gave us an inside look at the people involved and the way it unfolded real-time. Tanya shared that the military likes to keep their problems under wrap because of the way the media speculates. I can see why they would be annoyed with how scandals are reported. Once the information is out there, it’s hard to fight off the perception. But the bottom line is the acts of a few don’t represent the whole. Unfortunately, I could write book after book about clusters of domestic violence related homicides in the military since 2002. This book made me realize how long the military has known about the problems and that throwing money at the problem doesn’t fix it. We need real solutions that save lives.

Editor’s Note: Tanya Biank’s book Under the Sabers inspired the creation of Army Wives on Lifetime television. After reading the book, I can understand why the series was created in 2007. I included links to the show below if you are interested in watching the series. It was cancelled after seven seasons.

Army Soldier Katherine ‘Kat’ Singleton Died in Iraq; Department of Defense Did Not Publish Press Release Notifying Public of Death (2006)

On January 18, 2006January 7, 2018 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, In Their Name, Military Policy, ScandalsLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2018-01-06 at 9.56.47 PM — Katherine Singleton, US Army

The parents of Army soldier Katherine ‘Kat’ Singleton, 25, confirmed that she died in Iraq on January 18, 2006 but did not wish to comment further. Kat Singleton’s home of record is listed as Pensacola, Florida and she enlisted in the Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2001. Singleton worked as a 15F10 (MOS) and was assigned to the HHC Training Support Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Singleton’s first deployment to Iraq was with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from March 2003 to May 2003 (not confirmed). The Department of Defense did not publish a press release notifying the public of Katherine Singleton’s cause of death in Iraq. As a matter of fact, no credible information is available on the web except in an obituary.

HER FRIEND’S LAST WORDS AND REQUEST:

“I just want to let you know that there is no need to yell “cover up” in this case. The death of Kat P. Singleton was kept private for reasons that are no one’s business, but I assure you she is dead and that the government didn’t hide things from the public. She didn’t die overseas and what happened was very tragic but not for the public eye. She was a brave soldier who said on many occasions that she never regretted enrolling in the army and would go back to Iraq to fight for her country to secure our freedoms over and over again. She was a wonderful person and I am glad that our lives touched. I am sending this article that most of you seem to have over looked so that you may see that she is dead and she is buried. I feel that her father said little to the press because he didn’t want the world to know his family business and I believe also that it is time for you to close this thread and let Kat rest in peace. She will be forever loved and missed deeply and never forgotten.” -Anonymous

Navy Reservist Paul Berkley Murdered While Home on Leave From Middle East; Wife Monique Berkley Sentenced to Life in Prison (December 18, 2005)

On December 18, 2005August 24, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Stateside DeathLeave a comment

Navy Reservist Paul Berkley was murdered by his wife, Monique Wallace Berkley, her teenage lover, and his friend in Raleigh, North Carolina on December 18, 2005. Paul was home for Christmas on leave from a deployment in the Middle East. Monique, Andrew Deshawn Canty, and Latwon Darrell Johnson were all charged with first degree murder. The motive was the $400,000 Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance payout. Monique pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The state announced it was going to seek the death penalty if Berkley had gone to trial. Andrew Canty pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Latwon Darrell Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Johnson appealed his sentence claiming that it was too harsh given his role in the slaying and his cooperation with police and prosecutors.

Paul Berkley survived his deployment in the Middle East without any injury, but he couldn’t survive one week with his wife Monique. -Profiler Candice DeLong

Oxygen:

A military wife is caught in deadly love triangle. -Monique Berkley, Snapped, Oxygen (S8,E8)

Investigation Discovery:

The young and wild Monique Wallace is married to 40-year-old Paul Berkley, a navy reservist and father of two in suburban North Carolina. But with Paul leaving on a mission overseas, temptation and lust will lead them all down a dark path to murder. -Rules of Engagement, Scorned: Love Kills (S2,E7)

Some women like others to do their dirty work. A drama queen brings her love triangle to a permanent end; an intimate betrayal turns friends into deadly foes; and a loose woman will do anything to protect her freedom. -Murder for Me, Deadly Women (S9,E11)

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.

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)

On September 30, 2005August 26, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/30/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Daniel Arnold, 27, George Pugliese, 39, Eric Siebodnik, 21, Lee Wiegand, 20, and Oliver Brown, 19, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

09/29/2005: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, Iraq, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas

09/29/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Steve Morin Jr, 34, Iraq, Texas Army National Guard

09/29/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Benford, 30, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/28/2005: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Robert Macrum, 22, NCD, Arabian Gulf, USS Princeton

09/28/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert White, 34, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/28/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Tulsa Tuliau, 33, and Casey Howe, 32, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Andrew Wallace, 25, and Michael Wendling, 20, Iraq, Wisconsin Army National Guard

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Derrick, 25, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mike Sonoda Jr, 34, Iraq, California Army National Guard

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Howard Allen, 31, Iraq, Arizona Army National Guard

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Shawn Graham, 34, Iraq, Texas Army National Guard

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Elijah Ortega, 19, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/27/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Steven Valdez, 20, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: John Flynn, 36, and Patrick Stewart, 35, NCD, Afghanistan, Nevada Army National Guard

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Adrian Stump, 22, and Tane Baum, 30, NCD, Afghanistan, Oregon Army National Guard

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kenneth Ross, 24, NCD, Afghanistan, Giebelstadt, Germany

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Daniel Scheile, 37, and Paul Neubauer, 40, Iraq, California Army National Guard

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Brian Dunlap, 34, Iraq, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

09/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Jones, 21, Iraq, Mannheim, Germany

09/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Pierre Raymond, 28, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army Reserve

09/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Travis Arndt, 23, NCD, Iraq, Montana Army National Guard

09/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Scott McLaughlin, 29, Iraq, Vermont Army National Guard

09/22/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lawrence Morrison, 45, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/22/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: William Allers III, 28, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/21/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: William Evans, 22, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

09/21/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Michael Egan, 36, and William Fernandez, 37, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

09/21/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Mark Dooley, 27, Iraq, Vermont Army National Guard

09/20/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Alan Gifford, 39, and David Ford IV, 20, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/20/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Regilio Nelom, 45, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/20/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Deckard, 29, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/16/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Alfredo Silva, 35, Iraq, California Army National Guard

09/16/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Shane Swanberg, 24, Iraq, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

09/14/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kurtis Arcala, 22, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/13/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy Campbell, 21, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/13/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Everett, 23, NCD, Iraq, Texas Army National Guard

09/08/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeffrey Williams, 20, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/08/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jude Jonaus, 27, and Franklin Vilorio, 26, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/07/2005: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Robert Martens, 20, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/07/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Bohling, 22, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/06/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luke Williams, 35, NCD, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/06/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Nass, 21, NCD, Afghanistan, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/05/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lonnie Parson, 39, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/05/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: George Draughn Jr, 29, and Robert Hollar Jr, 35, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/03/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Derek Hines, 25, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

09/02/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lowell Miller II, 35, Iraq, Mississippi Army National Guard

09/02/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Ames, 21, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/02/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Monta Ruth, 26, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/01/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Fester, 41, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)

On August 31, 2005August 19, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their NameLeave a comment

08/31/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Rubado, 23, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/31/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Dennis Hay, 32, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/30/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joseph Martinez, 21, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/30/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Obediah Kolath, 32, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/29/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Damion Campbell, 23, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Trevor Diesing, 30, and Ivica Jerak, 42, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/27/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Timothy Shea, 22, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

08/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Hatim Kathiria, 23, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

08/26/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Chris Chapin, 39, Iraq, Vermont Army National Guard

08/24/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Victoir Lieurance, 34, and Joseph Hunt, 27, Iraq, Tennessee Army National Guard

08/24/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Carlos Diaz, 27, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joseph Nurre, 22, Iraq, West Virginia Army Reserve

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ramon Romero, 19, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Elden Arcand, 22, and Brian Morris, 38, NCDs, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: James Cathey, 24, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Phillip George, 22, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Willard Partridge, 35, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/23/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Blake Hall, 20, Joshua Hyland, 31, Michael Lehmiller, 23, and Christopher Palmer, 22, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

08/22/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Nathan Bouchard, 24, Jeremy Doyle, 24, Ray Fuhrmann II, 28, and Timothy Seamans, 20, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

08/19/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Laura Walker, 24, and Robert Davis, 23, Afghanistan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/19/2005: Air Force Officer MIA From Vietnam War is Identified: Gregg Hartness

08/17/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Stokely, 23, Iraq, Georgia Army National Guard

08/16/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jose Ruiz, 28, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/16/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Strickland, 27, Joshua Dingler, 19, and Paul Saylor, 21, NCDs, Iraq, Georgia Army National Guard

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Asbury Hawn II, 35, Gary Reese Jr, 22, and Shannon Taylor, 30, Iraq, Tennessee Army National Guard

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Toccara Green, 23, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Rusty Bell, 21, NCD, Iraq, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brian Derks, 21, Iraq, Fort Irwin, California

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Giaimo, 24, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

08/15/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy Chandler, 30, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/12/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Anthony Kalladeen, 26, and Hernando Rios, 29, Iraq, New York Army National Guard

08/12/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Edward Heselton, 23, Afghanistan, South Carolina Army Reserve

08/12/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan Ostrom, 25, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

08/12/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Miguel Carrasquillo, 25, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

08/12/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Evenor Herrera, 22, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/11/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Nathaniel Detample, 19, John Kulick, 35, Gennaro Pellegrini Jr, 31, and Francis Straub Jr, 24, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

08/11/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Katzenberger, 25, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/11/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Benson, 40, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

08/10/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Falkel, 22, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

08/10/2005: Twelve MIAS from Vietnam War are Identified

08/10/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ramon Gonzales Cordova, 30, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/09/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jonathon Haggin, 26, Iraq, Georgia Army National Guard

08/09/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Brahim Jeffcoat, 25, and Kurt Krout, 43, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

08/09/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Chase Comley, 21, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/08/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Seferino Reyna, 20, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

08/08/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert Derenda, 42, NCD, Iraq, New York Army Reserve

08/08/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brett Walden, 40, NCD, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

08/08/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Terry Ball Jr, 36, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

08/07/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Damian Garza, 19, and John Henderson Jr, 21, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Benning, Georgia

08/07/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nils Thompson, 19, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

08/06/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Theodore Clark Jr, 31, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

08/05/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Victor Anderson, 39, David Jones Sr, 45, and Ronnie Shelley, 34, Iraq, Georgia Army National Guard

08/05/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Victor Anderson, 39, Mathew Gibbs, 21, and Charles Warren, 36, Iraq, Georgia Army National Guard

08/05/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Chad Simon, 32, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Wisconsin

08/05/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Dyer, 19, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Ohio

08/05/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Adam Strain, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nicholas Bloem, 20, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Montana

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Bradley Harper, 25, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Virginia

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: David Stewart, 24, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Mississippi

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Timothy Bell Jr, 22, Eric Bernholtz, 23, Justin Hoffman, 27, and David Kreuter, 26, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Ohio

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Thomas Hull, 41, NCD, Arabian Gulf, USS Princeton, San Diego, California

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Grant Fraser, 22, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Alaska

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kevin Waruinge, 22, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Mississippi

08/04/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Michael Cifuentes, 25, Aaron Reed, 21, Edward Schroeder II, 23, and William Wightman, 22, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Ohio

08/03/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James McNaughton, 27, Iraq, New York Army Reserve

08/03/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Roger Castleberry Jr, 26, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Texas

08/03/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Jeffrey Boskovitch, 25, David Coullard, 32, Daniel Deyarmin Jr, 22, Brian Montgomery, 26, and Nathaniel Rock, 26, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Ohio

08/02/2005: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: James Graham III, 25, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Oklahoma

08/02/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Adrian Butler, 28, and John Tollefson, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

08/01/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jason Montefering, 27, Ernest Dallas Jr, 21, Milton Monzon, 21, and Ramon Villatoro Jr, 19, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/01/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Scheuerman, 20, NCD, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

08/01/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert Swaney, 21, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

08/01/2005: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Carroll, 23, Iraq, Tennessee Army National Guard

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)

Fort Bragg Army Sgt. Ronna Valentine Found Fatally Shot by Army Spouse James Valentine in Murder-Suicide at North Carolina Home (May 21, 2005)

On May 21, 2005August 8, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Stateside Death, SuicideLeave a comment

Army Sgt. Ronna R. Valentine, 28, was found shot to death in her Fayetteville, North Carolina home hours after she returned stateside from Iraq on May 21, 2005. The Fayetteville Police Department said Sgt. Ronna Valentine was shot by her Army spouse, James Valentine, 42, who then turned the gun on himself. Reports indicate police received a call from a man who said he just shot his wife and was about to turn the gun on himself. When officers arrived at the apartment, they found the couple dead inside. Sgt. Ronna Valentine’s home of record was listed as Brandenburg, Kentucky and she was an equipment records and parts specialist for the 327th Signal Battalion of the 35th Signal Brigade at Fort Bragg. Sgt. Ronna Valentine enlisted in the Army in 1997 and deployed to Iraq in November 2004; she was home on leave when the murder-suicide occurred.

Former Air Force Reservist Michelle Theer Convicted of Murder of Husband Frank Theer; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (December 3, 2004)

On December 3, 2004August 25, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, Scandals, USAFLeave a comment

Michelle,September,2007(2) — Michelle Theer

Former Air Force Reservist Michelle Theer was indicted in 2002 for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of her husband Air Force Captain Marty Theer on December 17, 2000. Theer was accused of killing her husband with her lover, Army Special Forces soldier John Diamond. In August 2001, John Diamond was found guilty by a military jury of first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Around the date of the 2002 indictment, Michelle, who had moved to New Orleans since the murder, left Louisiana to “start a new life.” Michelle moved to Florida where she rented an apartment and had plastic surgery performed under an assumed name.

The police located and arrested Michelle Theer in August 2002 and her trial concluded on December 3, 2004. The jury returned verdicts of guilty of first-degree murder by aiding and abetting and of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The motive for the homicide was an early attempt to collect Marty’s $500,000 Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance policy. The prosecutor ascertained Michelle manipulated John Diamond into murdering her husband. Diamond was accused of shooting Marty multiple times execution style as he ascended a stairwell at Michelle’s place of employment in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The civilian trial court sentenced Michelle Theer to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Investigation Discovery:

In 2000, Michelle Theer was an Air Force wife in the military town of Fayetteville until a fatal shooting made her a widow. The investigation into her husband’s death led police to the door of an Army Ranger – taking orders from very unlikely accomplices. -Fayetteville, Sins and Secrets (S2,E3)

Sexy psychologist and doting Air Force wife Michelle begins a swinging affair with Army Sgt. Diamond while her husband, Captain Marty Theer, is away. But all’s fair in love and war, and Marty’s return will remind them that love is a battlefield. -Sergeant Swinger, Scorned: Love Kills (S4,E1)

Oxygen:

A frantic, distraught woman runs into a video rental store screaming that her husband has been shot. -Michelle Theer & John Diamond, Killer Couples

Killer Couples: S8 E5 Preview – Michelle Theer and John Diamond | Oxygen

Killer Couples: S8 E5 After the Verdict – Michelle Theer and John Diamond | Oxygen

Psychologist Debbie Layton-Tholl talks about her experience meeting with Michelle Theer. -Michelle Theer & John Diamond, Killer Couples

A lonely military wife and psychologist go searching for sex on the Internet with deadly results. -Michelle Theer & John Diamond, Killer Couples (S8,E5)

Marine Veteran Jonathan Blackwell Killed by Girlfriend’s Jealous Ex in North Carolina; Stacey Webster Sentenced to 16 1/2 Years in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder (October 7, 2004)

On October 7, 2004July 14, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, USMCLeave a comment

Marine veteran Jonathan Blackwell of Reidsville, North Carolina went missing on October 7, 2004. Eight days later Jonathan’s car was found burned out in the countryside of North Carolina but no signs of Jonathan’s remains were discovered in the fiery wreckage. Jonathan Blackwell was a US Marine Corps veteran who served proudly in the first Gulf War and since his honorable discharge worked at a Goodyear Plant just across the North Carolina state line in Virginia. Early in the investigation police learned that Jonathan’s new girlfriend Viola was also dating her ex Stacey Webster. According to Viola, neither man was aware of the other and Viola pointed to Jonathan’s ex-girlfriend Patsy who also had a 10 month old child with Blackwell. Police ruled both women out and other leads were also dead ends so the missing persons case went cold for two years.

In December 2006, Walter Daldron was arrested and told police that he had information about the Jonathan Blackwell missing persons case. He told investigators that Jonathan’s body was located off Highway 29 and buried in a shallow grave under some old tires. Police located the body and an autopsy confirmed that the body was that of Jonathan Blackwell. Jonathan had evidence of blunt force trauma to the back of the head and his skull was cracked. Daldron also knew who did it. Daldron admitted that his best friend Stacey Webster murdered Jonathan Blackwell. It turns out that Jonathan was a victim of a love triangle with his new girlfriend Viola and her ex Stacey Webster, but he didn’t know it. Stacey knew about Jonathan because he stalked Viola and Jonathan for months until finally his obsession, jealousy and rage reached a boiling point. If he couldn’t have Viola, no one could have her. Webster initially denied committing the murder but after faced with the eye witness testimony from his best friend and the discovery of Jonathan’s body, he went silent.

On December 15, 2006, Stacey Webster was arrested for the first degree murder of Jonathan Blackwell. Investigators learned that Webster confronted Jonathan at his home. When Jonathan turned his back to Webster to go into his home and call police, Webster hit Jonathan in the back of the head with a rock and knocked him out. Webster then hit Jonathan’s head multiple times with a rock until he was dead. He put Jonathan’s body in his vehicle, cleaned up the crime scene, and then contacted his cousin to help him hide the body. Webster took Jonathan’s body to the countryside of North Carolina off Highway 29 and covered Jonathan’s body with lyme before he buried him in a shallow grave in an attempt to hide evidence but inadvertently helped preserve Jonathan’s body instead. On September 24, 2010, Stacey Webster was arraigned for Jonathan Blackwell’s murder. Webster accepted a plea deal and plead guilty to second degree murder. Stacey Webster was sentenced to 16 1/2 years in prison. Stacey was an unusual suspect because he was a successful business man with no criminal history. Webster showed no remorse for his crimes.

In 2004, a former marine goes missing from his North Carolina home. Investigators sift through a mountain of tips and small-town rumors before a surprise witness comes forward who may hold the key to the mysterious disappearance. -When Evil Strikes, Unusual Suspects (S5,E11)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

On September 30, 2004August 23, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Titcomb, 20, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/30/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tyler Prewitt, 22, Iraq, Vilseck, Germany

09/29/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Gregory Cox, 21, NCD, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/29/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kenneth Sickels, 20, NCD, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/28/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joselito Villanueva, 36, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/28/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Allton, 34, Iraq, Camp Hovey, Korea

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robert Oliver Unruh, 25, Iraq, Camp Howze, Korea

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clifford Moxley Jr, 51, NCD, Iraq, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

09/27/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Johnson, 37, Iraq, Oregon Army National Guard

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Aaron Boyles, 24, and Ramon Mateo, 20, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Timothy Folmar, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/25/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Leduc, 28, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/24/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Skipper Soram, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/24/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lance Koenig, 33, Iraq, North Dakota Army National Guard

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Adam Harris, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nathan Stahl, 20, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Benjamin Smith, 24, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/23/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Adams, 22, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Wesley Wells, 21, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Robert Goodwin, 35, and Tony Olaes, 30, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Foster Harrington, 31, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Alabama

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Henry, 21, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/22/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Steven Cates, 22, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/21/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Thomas Rosenbaum, 25, and James Price, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/20/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Gregory Howman, 28, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/18/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Ebert, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/18/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Steven Rintamaki, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/17/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Andrew Stern, 24, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/17/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jaygee Meluat, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Drew Uhles, 20, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Adrian Soltau, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/16/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tyler Brown, 26, Iraq, Camp Hovey, Tongduchon City, Korea

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: David Weisenburg, 26, and Benjamin Isenberg, 27, Iraq, Oregon Army National Guard

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Lauro DeLeon Jr, 20, Iraq, Texas Army Reserve

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Mathew Puckett, 19, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Kevin Shea, 38, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jacob Demand, 29, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Carl Thomas, 29, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Guy Hagy Jr, 31, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Dominic Brown, 19, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Michael Halal, 22, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/15/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Edgar Daclan Jr, 24, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Martinez, 29, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jason Sparks, 19, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Cesar Machado-Olmos, 20, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/14/2004: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: David Cedergren, 25, NCD, Iraq, 2^nd Marine Division Fleet, Marine Forces Atlantic

09/13/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Jason Poindexter, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/13/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Alexander Wetherbee, 27, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Read, 21, Iraq, Kentucky Army Reserve

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Yoe Aneiros, 20, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Faulkner, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Elvis Bourdon, 36, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/10/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan McCauley, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Chad Drake, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2004: Remains of American MIAs Found in North Korea

09/09/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Timothy Price, 25, Iraq, Hanau, Germany

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Shawna Morrison, 26, Iraq, Illinois Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Lamb, 23, Iraq, Illinois Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clarence Adams III, 28, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: John Boria, 29, NCD, Qatar, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Tomas Garces, 19, Iraq, Texas Army National Guard

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Devin Grella, 21, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

09/08/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Michael Allred, 22, David Burridge, 19, Derek Gardner, 20, Quinn Keith, 21, Joseph McCarthy, 21, Mick Nygardbekowsky, 21, and Lamont Wilson, 20, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/07/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Gary Vaillant, 41, Iraq, Camp Casey, Korea

09/07/2004: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Eric Knott, 21, Iraq, Port Hueneme, California

09/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Nicholas Wilt, 23, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/05/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ronald Winchester, 25, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/04/2004: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Nicholas Perez, 19, and Alan Rowe, 35, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/03/2004: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joseph Thibodeaux, 24, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: North Carolina

Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank (February 7, 2006)

Army Soldier Katherine ‘Kat’ Singleton Died in Iraq; Department of Defense Did Not Publish Press Release Notifying Public of Death (2006)

Navy Reservist Paul Berkley Murdered While Home on Leave From Middle East; Wife Monique Berkley Sentenced to Life in Prison (December 18, 2005)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)

August: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2005)

Fort Bragg Army Sgt. Ronna Valentine Found Fatally Shot by Army Spouse James Valentine in Murder-Suicide at North Carolina Home (May 21, 2005)

Former Air Force Reservist Michelle Theer Convicted of Murder of Husband Frank Theer; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (December 3, 2004)

Marine Veteran Jonathan Blackwell Killed by Girlfriend’s Jealous Ex in North Carolina; Stacey Webster Sentenced to 16 1/2 Years in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder (October 7, 2004)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2004)

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