FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command will honor Special Operations Soldiers killed while supporting combat operations during the past year in a ceremony, Thursday, May 26, at 2:30 p.m. at the USASOC Memorial Plaza, adjacent to the USASOC headquarters building.
USASOC commanding general, Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo, will add the Soldiers' names to the USASOC Memorial Wall, paying tribute to them, and more than 300 Army Special Operations Forces Soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the United States in the war against terrorism.
Family members, friends and special guests of those fallen Soldiers from many hometowns across the country are expected to attend.
After the Memorial Wall is unveiled, the names of those who died during current combat operations will be read.
They are:
• 1st Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna, Jr. - 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Master Sgt. Joshua Lloyd Wheeler -- Headquarters USASOC
• Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Quinn McClintock -- 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Re-invited families of the following fallen Soldiers
• Staff Sgt. Jason Andrew McDonald -- 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Staff Sgt. Scott Richard Studenmund -- 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Tarrant Weathers -- 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• Staff Sgt. Matthew Ryan Ammerman -- 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Note to news media: News media interested in covering the ceremony should contact the USASOC Public Affairs Office at (910) 432-6005, or email pao@soc.mil. Please provide the number of news team members/photographers who will attend, any special interview requests and if you plan on live coverage.
Members of the media who wish to cover the ceremony must register with USASOC PAO by May 25 before 2 p.m.
USASOC PAO will meet registered media at Stryker Golf Course on Bragg Boulevard at 12:30 p.m., May 26. The media convoy will depart Stryker no later than 12:45 p.m. due to the heavy traffic associated with that time of the day.
*Photo Opportunity:
During the ceremony there will be a drummer, the unveiling of the USASOC Memorial Wall, a bell ringer and placement of memorial wreaths by USASOC and its subordinate commands. There will also be the playing of "Taps" and a bag piper playing "Amazing Grace." Following the ceremony, the Gold Star families will be invited to approach the wall and lay roses in remembrance of their loved ones.
Related Links:
Staff Sgt. Matthew Ryan Ammerman
Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Quinn McClintock
Staff Sgt. Jason Andrew McDonald
1st Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna, Jr
Staff Sgt. Scott Richard Studenmund
Social Sharing