17th Artillery In Memorial

17th Artillery Unit Members In Memorial Page

World War I

World War II

List of Korean War

List of Vietnam War

List of Gulf Wars

Close Window

17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Division World War I Data

Rank / Name Battery Died

2D LT BAUER, ROY L. October 8, 1918
Entered the Service from: Georgia
Died: October 8, 1918
Buried at: Plot E Row 20 Grave 16
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
Romagn, France

PVT ANDERSON, WILFORD W. A October 28, 1918

CORP. BARTLETT, GORDON D September 17, 1918
Entered Service from: Rhode Island
Died: September 17, 1918
Buried at: Plot D Row 28 Grave 21
St. Mihiel American Cemetery
Thiaucourt, France

CORP. BEHRENS, WALTER J. F July 5, 1918

Home Town: Lafayette, Indiana
Born: May 7, 1893
Son of Henry and Rose Behrens
Wounded in action Chateau Thierry near Belleau Woods,
Died: July 5, 1918
Buried in village cemetery at Laferte, France

PFC BURNS, WILLIAM A June 18, 1918

Entered Service from: New York

Died: June 18, 1918

Buried at: Plot A Row 12 Grave 9

Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

Belleau, France

PVT BUTLER, DENNIS D June 23, 1918

PVT CAYA, ALVY F July 22, 1918

PVT COPELAND, JOE S. B June 30, 1918
Entered the Service from: Arkansas
Died: June 30, 1918
Buried at: Plot A Row 10 Grave 42
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Belleau, France

PFC GEISERT, VICTOE D June 23, 1918

PFC HALM, ROY W. D October 7, 1918

PVT HEIN, LOWELL L. C July 20, 1918

PFC HICKMAN, JACK C. MC July 20, 1918

PFC HORNKE, FRITZ F July 12, 1918
Entered the Service from: Wisconsin
Died: July 12, 1918
Buried at Plot A Row 12 Grave 17
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Belleau, France

PVT HURD, JAMES H. D June 20, 1918
Entered the Service from: Michigan
Died: June 20, 1918
Buried at: Plot A Row 03 Grave 64
Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
Belleau, France

CORP JENSEN, CARL A. Hqs November 10, 1918

BGLR. JOHNSON, FRANCIS L. F July 25, 1918

PVT LILLIS, FRANK P. C He died of his wounds on 22, July 1918 at approximately 19 years of age.

PVT MASON, CHARLES W. C July 20, 1918

PFC OSTER, LESTER W. B October 9, 1918

PFC SNYDER, HARRIS R. C October 7, 1918
Entered the Service from: Pennsylvania
Died: October 7, 1918
Buried at: Plot B Row 20 Grave 31
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery

PFC STELMASZEK, WALTER F June 11, 1918

CORP. STRUNK, ALBERT L. C July 20, 1918

PVT TAYLOR, ROBERT B. B September 11, 1918

SGT UMPHENEUR, CHESTER G. C October 6, 1918
Entered the Service from: Kansas
Died: October 6, 1918
Buried at: Plot G Row 05 Grave 02
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
Romagne, France

PFC WESTFALL, CORNELIUS R. A October 4, 1918
Entered the Service from: West Virginia
Died: October 4, 1918
Buried at: plot G Row 29 Grave 40
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
Romagne, France

CORP. WILHEIM, CLAUDE D September 15, 1918

17th Field Artillery Regiment and 17th Field Artillery Battalion, World War II Data.

The following names are listed on the American Battle Monument Commission site, www.abmc.gov. The list contains only veterans who are buried in overseas cemeteries or MIA's whose remains were never recovered.

Pfc. William H. Mc Elfresh
C Battery, 17th FA
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ser. No. 32191251
Date of Death Oct. 30, 1943
Buried at Farmingdale National Cemetery NY

Tec5 Homer J. Adsitt
New York
Ser. No. 32252382
Date of Death May 7, 1945
Buried at Epinal American Cemetery France

Sgt. Furman A. Boone
South Carolina
Ser. No. 06928294
Date of Death Feb. 14, 1944
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Pvt. Edward Castel
New York
Ser. No. 32089101
Date of Death Nov. 18, 1943
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Italy

Pfc. Pete Coletta
New Jersey
Ser. No. 32307616
Date of Death Jan. 23, 1944
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Italy

Pfc. Harold Goldie
New York
Ser. No. 32160098
Date of Death Feb. 15, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Cpl. Eric Guthman
Illinois
Ser. No. 36305080
Date of Death Dec. 10, 1944
Buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery Belgium

Pvt. Henry Q. Harbort
South Carolina
Ser. No. 06380600
Date of Death Feb. 16, 1943
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

1Lt. Richard W. Kelley
Massachusetts
Ser. No. O-389206
Date of Death June 25, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

SSgt. Marvin W. King
North Carolina
Ser. No. 06968913
Date of Death Feb. 14, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Pfc. Paul J. LaBlanc
Massachusetts
Ser. No. 31017032
Date of Death Feb. 14, 1943
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Cpl. Edwin M. Majeski
South Carolina
Ser. No. 14037579
Date of Death Mar. 9, 1944
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Italy

Sgt. Claus Mangels
Maine
Ser. No. 31000892
Date of Death Feb. 14, 1944
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Pfc. Denny T. Meeker
Florida
Ser. No. 34059537
Date of Death Feb. 20, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Cpl. Norman J. Moran
Massachusetts
Ser. No. 31016957
Date of Death Oct. 12, 1943
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Italy

Pvt. Robert D. Newson
North Carolina
Ser. No. 07006147
Date of Death Feb. 15, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Pfc. James R. Phillips
South Carolina
Ser. No. 14037709
Date of Death Mar. 21, 1943
Buried at North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Cpl. Edward Roeben
New York
Ser. No. 12006577
Date of Death Feb. 14, 1943
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Pfc. Jesse W. Slagle
North Carolina
Ser. No. 06969234
Date of Death Nov. 10, 1953
Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Italy

Cpl. George P. Zilinski
Connecticut
Ser. No. 31020565
Date of Death Feb. 28, 1943
MIA - North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia

Back to top of page

17th Field Artillery Battalion Korean War Data

Names of the (Korean War) 17th Field Artillery Battalion (8in Towed Howitzer)

Name: PFC FLOYD THOMPSON
Battery: Unknown
Military Service Number: RA 18347541
Home: Hockley, TX
Year of Birth: 1931
MOS: 4812
Date of Casualty: November 30, 1950
Cause of Death: Unknown

Name: CPT PAUL RICHARD BLEW
Battery: C
Military Service Number: O-1169428
Home: Benton, AR
Year of Birth: 1921
MOS: 2110
Date of Casualty: October 21, 1951
Captured with driver behind enemy lines. Body never recovered.

Name: PFC RICHARD F. DODMEAD
Battery: C
Military Service Number: US 5514681
Home: Clark, WI
Year of Birth: 1931
MOS: 3884
Date of Casualty: June 15, 1952
Killed by incoming 152mm round.

Name: PFC MIKE M. GARAZ
Battery: C
Military Service Number: US 56096069
Home: Los Angeles, CA
Year of Birth: 1928
MOS: 3844
Date of Casualty: June 15, 1952
Killed by incoming 152mm round.

Name: PFC DONALD B. PERRIN
Battery: C
Military Service Number: US 55185461
Home: Wayne, IN
Year of Birth: 1929
MOS: 3844
Date of Casualty: June 15, 1952
Reason Unknown

Name: PFC ALLEN R. DALE
Battery: C
Military Service Number: RA 17316732
Home: Renville, MN
Year of Birth: 1932
MOS: 1844
Date of Casualty: November 15, 1952
Killed by incoming 152mm round.

Name: CPL HENRY LEE CHAMBERS
Battery: Unknown
Military Service Number: RA 14069544
Home: Dothan, AL
Year of Birth: Unknown
MOS; Unknown
Date of Casualty: December 8, 1952
Friendly Fire

Name: PVT CHARLES HENRY EVANS
Battery: A
Military Service Number: RA 13425372
Home: Hyattsville, MD
Year of Birth: Unknown
MOS: Unknown
Date of Casualty: January 16, 1953
Friendly Fire

Name: PVT FRED HAMLIN
Battery: B
Military Service Number: US 52131363
Home: Portsmouth, VA
Year of Birth: Unknown
Date of Casualty: February 8, 1953
Friendly Fire

Name: PVT Calos Manuel Hernandez

Battery A

Military Service Number: 51062063

Home: New York, New York

Year of Birth: 1926

MOS: Unk

Date of Casualty: January 16, 1952

Cause of Death: Non-Hostile near Chaj-Ahgni, South Korea

Name: PFC Frederick William Lankford

Battery A

Military Service Number: 55148498

Home: Saint Joseph, Missouri

Year of Birth: 1930

MOS: Unk

Date of Casualty: July 19, 1952

Cause of Death: Non-Hostile - He drowned while wading in deep water near Komipo, North Korea.

NAME: CPT HAROLD EUGENE VAN LEHN
Battery: Unknown
Military Service Number: O-0410791
Home: Unknown
Year of Birth: August 1, 1913
MOS: Unknown
Date of Casualty: May 24, 1953
Non-Hostile-Died of other causes

2d Howitzer Battalion, 17th Artillery, Vietnam Data

On the morning of 3 April, 1968, an enemy sapper unit of unknown size attacked C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 17th Artillery, More

Click on Name for Details

Hiram D. Strickland - B Btry

Gilbert B. Bush - A Btry

Billy R. Foster - C Btry

James P. Schueller - HHB

Joseph W. Cruz - D Btry

Jimmy G. Mayfield - A Btry

Larry W. Barrett - C Btry

Felipe D. Camarillo - C Btry

Robert L. Caswell - C Btry

Gilbert De La Pena - C Btry

Fred R. Glover - C Btry

Ralph C. McCowan - C Btry

Danny J. Richardson - C Btry

Edgar L. Simmons - C Btry

Thomas P. Visker - C Btry

Kirk Wallace

Elbert B. Walker - C Btry

John T. Wilkinson C Btry

Clifford A. Draper - B Btry

Stephen A. Jordan - B Btry

David E. Bryant - B Btry

Francis B. Madden - HHB

Donald L. Brightman - HHB

Valereriano D. Contreras - HHB

Richard J. Parnell - HHB

Nickolaus C. Zozula - C Btry

George B. Colgan - HHB

Robert R. Brown - C Btry

Andrew MaChristie - HHB

Peter C. Behrens - HHB

James R. Heimbold - HHB

Roger A. De Die

Kermit Leslie Matthews

MSG Robert Joseph Gritte

PFC David W. Lauritsen

PFC William Cutshaw

Report from the 1 May, 1968 O.R.L.L.

The following 11 "C" Battery Personnel died in this incident.

On the morning of 3 April, 1968, an enemy sapper unit of unknown size attacked Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 17th Artillery, which was occupying a fire base near Tuy Phuoc in Binh Dinh Province.

At 0130 hours, bunkers in the battery area were engaged by B-40 rockets launched from outside the perimeter. The fire direction center bunker received the first round. Several enemy entered the perimeter unnoticed either before or during the B-40 attack and destroyed the battery observation post with satchel charges. At approximately the same time, part of the perimeter barrier wire was destroyed allowing the enemy to breach the position in force.

A second breach of the perimeter was made while sappers inside the perimeter attacked the fire direction center, executive post, two howitzer emplacements and perimeter bunkers on the north side of the battery area with satchel charges, grenades and small arms. RF personal supporting the battery regrouped at the M55 position and remained there out of the action until the sappers withdrew. During the attack the battery fired direct fire with a 105mm howitzer and was supported by a platoon of ARVN 105mm howitzers firing illumination. Additional support was provided by a helicopter flare ship, gun ships and an observation aircraft. With the aid of repeated strikes by supporting gun ships and observation by the pilot of the OH-1 the battery regained control of the position and the observation post. At approximately 0530 hours, the enemy withdrew.

PFC HIRAM D. STRICKLAND

Home: Graham, NC

DOB: October 20, 1945

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: February 1, 1966

The Wall: Panel 04E Row 131

2LT GILBERT B. BUSH

Home: Lamarie, WY

DOB: January 17, 1941

MOS: 1193

Date of Casualty: May 8, 1966

LT Bush was FO for A Battery during OP Davy Crockett and was killed by small arms fire. He was serving as platoon leader of a 1/9th Cav unit whose regular platoon leader was incapacitated.

The Wall: Panel 07E Row 039

PFC BILLY RAY FOSTER

Home: Minden, LA

DOB: December 6, 1943

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: June 15, 1966

Battery was at Catecka Plantation participating in Operation Hooker . Foster died from a wound to the abdomen from a muzzle blast.

The Wall: Panel 08E - Row 049

1LT JAMES P. SCHUELLER

Home: Marshfield, WI

DOB: August 16, 1942

MOS: 1193

Date of Casualty: June 17, 1967

1LT Schueller died in the crash of a C-130

The Wall: Panel 22E Row 002

SP-4 JOSEPH W. CRUZ

HOME: Agana Heights, GU

DOB: October 14, 1945

MOS: 13E20

Date of Casualty: August 13, 1967

SP-4 Cruz died as result of injuries received as a gunner on 155mm when a premature round detonated.

The Wall: Panel 24E Row 106

CPL JIMMY G. MAYFIELD

Home: Forth Worth, TX

DOB: February 22, 1942

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: September 3, 1967

The Wall: Panel 25E Row 093

dsalkdjlaksjd

PFC LARRY W. BARRETT

Home: Redkey, IN

DOB: September 16, 1947

MOS: 13E20

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 045

SSG FELIPE D. CAMARILLO

Home: Seguin, TX
DOB: May 26, 1933
MOS: 13B40
Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968
The Wall: Panel 47E Row 047

SP-4 ROBERT L. CASWELL

Home: Pontiac, MI

DOB: October 22, 1947

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 047

SP-4 GILBERT DE LA PENA

HOME: PINEDALE, CA

DOB: JULY 4, 1942

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 048

SP-4 FRED R. GLOVER

Home: Fartow, FL

DOB: July 9, 1946

MOS: 13E40

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 050

PFC RALPH C. McCOWAN

HOME: Trenton, ND

DOB: April 26, 1948 MOS: 36K20

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 053

SP-4 DANNY J. RICHARDSON

Home: Covington, GA

DOB: March 26, 1948

MOS: 13E20

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 053

CPL EDGAR L. SIMMONS

HOME: Pine Bluff, AR

DOB: March 18, 1946

MOS: 13B40

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 055

PFC THOMAS P. VISKER

HOME: Warden, WA

DOB: March 22, 1947

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968

The Wall: Panel 47E Row 057

PFC ELBERT B. WALKER
Home: North Platte, NE
DOB: November 18, 1948
MOS: 36K20
Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968
The Wall: Panel 47E Row 057

1 LT. JOHN T. WILKINSON
HOME: Manchester, TN
DOB: March 22, 1946
MOS: 1193
Date of Casualty: April 3, 1968
The Wall: Panel 47E Row 058

PFC CLIFFORD A. DRAPER

Home: Hasting, NE

DOB: August 26, 1944

MOS: 13A10

Date of Casualty: August 23, 1968

PFC Draper died from multiple fragmentation wounds received when LZ Schueller received 20-25 82mm mortar rounds.

The Wall: Panel 47W Row 040

CPL STEPHEN A. JORDAN

HOME: Monrovia, CA
DOB: October 28, 1949
MOS: 13E40
Date of Casualty: August 25, 1968
CPL Jordan was attached to 1/50th Infantry as FO and died from wounds received in a fire-fight.
The Wall: Panel 46W Row 016

Sgt DAVID E. BRYANT

HOME: Warner Robins, GA

DOB: November 15, 1948

MOS: 13B40

Date of Casualty: October 19, 1970

Bryant was serving as FO for 1/9th Cav in a helicopter and died of wounds received from ground fire.

The Wall: Panel 6W Row 008

SGT FRANCIS B. MADDEN

HOME: Newark, NJ

DOB: June 25, 1932

MOS: 13E40

Date of Casualty: June 15, 1969

SGT Madden died of wounds when a vehicle he was a passenger in struck a mine.

The Wall: Panel 22W Row 054

SP-5 DONALD L. BRIGHTMAN

Home: Ardmore, OK

DOB: October 7, 1948

MOS: 71H20

Date of Casualty: June 15, 1969

SP-5 Brightman died of wounds when a vehicle he was driving struck a mine.

The Wall: Panel 22W Row 051

SGT VALERIANO D. CONTRERAS

HOME: El Paso, TX

DOB: October 14, 1948

MOS: 94B20

Date of Casualty: June 15, 1969

SGT Contreras died from wounds received as a passenger in a vehicle which struck a mine.

The Wall: Panel 22W Row 051

SGT RICHARD J. PARNELL

Home: Greenville, NC

DOB: February 6, 1947

MOS: 13E20

Date of Casualty: July 21, 1969

The Wall: Panel 20W Row 031

SP-4 NICKOLAUS C. ZOZULA

Home: Roslindale, MA

DOB: November 18, 1945

MOS: 13A20

Date of Casualty: November 2, 1969

SP-4 Zozula died from wounds received at a LZ which came under rocket and mortar attack.

The Wall: Panel 16W Row 021

CPT GEORGE B. COLGAN

HOME: Alexandria, VA

DOB: August 2, 1946

MOS: 4510

Date of Casualty: December 1, 1969

CPT Colgan died of wounds received in a mortar attack at Bu Prang.

The Wall: Panel 15W Row 012

SSG ROBERT R. BROWN

HOME: Fort Peck, MT

DOB: August 2, 1945

MOS: 13B40

Date of Casualty: December 1, 1969

SSG Brown died from wounds received at Bu Prang when it came under mortar attack.

The Wall: Panel 15W Row 012

SMAJ ANDREW MACHRISTIE

Home: Philadelphia, PA

DOB: August 5, 1917

MOS: 00Z50

Date of Casualty: December 4, 1970

CSM Machristie died in a helicopter crash returning to Ban Me Thuot for Nha Trang.

The Wall: Panel 06W Row 107

WO PETER C. BEHRENS

HOME: Newburg, MO

DOB: November 28, 1944

MOS: 6280

Date of Casualty: December 4, 1970

WO Behrens died in helicopter crash. He was pilot returning to Ban Me Thuot from Nha Trang.

The Wall: Panel 06W Row 105

CPT JAMES R. HEIMBOLD

Home: San Jose, CA

DOB: February 3, 1943

MOS: 1193

Date of Casualty: December 4, 1970

CPT Heimbold died in a helicopter crash returning to Ban Me Thuot for Nha Trang.

The Wall: Panel 06W Row 106

SGT. ROGER A. DE DIE

Home: Vicksburg, MI

DOB: August 13, 1948 MOS: 13B40

Date of Casualty: November 24, 1969

Camp came under mortar attack

The Wall: Panel 16W Row 116

PFC MICHAEL AYR LOWERY

HOME; San Francisco, California

DATE OF BIRTH: March 25, 1946

MOS: 13B10

DATE OF CASUALTY: February 5, 1967 Hostile died of wounds.

SP4 Kirk (Kem) L. Wallace

Home: El Paso, Texas
DOB; September 28, 1947
Date of Casualty: July 17, 1969
SP4 Wallace died as a result of an accident (Non-Hostile)

CW2 Kermit Leslie Matthews

Home: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DOB: May 18, 1938
Date of Causality: December 4, 1970
CW2 Matthews died in a helicopter crash to Ban Me Thuet from Nha Trang
(He was assigned to Service Battery as the Maintenance Warrant Officer.)

MSG Robert Joseph Gritte

Home: Milford, MA

DOB: November 25, 1929

Date of Casualty: March 4, 1967

The Wall Panel 16E, Row 16

MSG Gritte died as the results of an accidental homicide. He was the Battalion's S2 Sergeant and was shot trying to break up a fight in the barracks.

PFC William Cutshaw
Home: Greeneville, Tennessee
DOB: April 19, 1946
MOS: 11B40
Date of Causality: January 1, 1966
Non-Hostile, died from a grenade accidentally going off in his hands.
The Wall Panel 04E Row 076

PFC David Wayne Lauritsen
Home: Seattle, Washington
DOB: June 23, 1947
MOS: 12A10
Date of Causality: April 8, 1967
Non-Hostile, suffocated, while filling sandbags and a bank of sandbags fell upon him and another soldier from 21st Artillery.
The Wall Panel 17E Row 124

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Data

	PFC Stephen E. Wyatt C Battery, 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment Home Town: Kilgore, Texas Age: 19 KIA: 13 October 2003, Balad, Iraq Reason: Was riding in a convoy and hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) and small arms fire. He died as a result of his wounds.

	Captain Eric L. Allton Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Houston, Texas Age: 34 KIA: 26 September 2004, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: Was struck by a mortar round.

	PV2 Jeungjin Na Kim A Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Honolulu, HI Age: 23 KIA: 6 October 2004, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: Was killed when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms.

	Spc. Christopher A. Merville A Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Albuquerque, NM Age: 26 KIA: 12 October 2004, Baghdad, Iraq Reason: Was killed when his unit came under enemy fire during combat operations.

	Spc Bradley S. Beard Service Battery, (Attached to A Battery) 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC Age: 22 KIA: 14 October 2004, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: Spc Beard died of shrapnel wounds to the head when an IED was detonated at their Fortified Overwatch Position while on recon. A wreath laying ceremony was held in Chapel Hill and the Association placed a wreath. Click here for story and pictures.

	PFC Stephen P. Downing II Service Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Burkesville, KY AGE: 30 KIA: 28 October 2004, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: From small arms fire, while conducting combat operations.

	SGT Maurice Keith Fortune A Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Forestville, MD AGE: 25 KIA: 29 October 2004. Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: When a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.

	Spc Francisco Gregorio Martinez Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division Home Town: Fort Worth, Texas Age: 20 KIA: 20 March 2005, Tamin, Iraq Reason: As a result of enemy small arms fire.

	SGT Angelo L. Lozada Jr. Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division. Home Town: Brooklyn, New York Age: 36 KIA: 16 April 2005, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: His section's M109 Paladin (155 Howitzer) took a direct hit from a 122 MM Rocket while in the battery firing position.

	SGT Tromaine K. Toy Sr. Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division. Home Town: Eastville, VA Age: 24 KIA: 16 April 2005, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: His section's M109 Paladin (155 Howitzer) took a direct hit from a 122 MM Rocket while in the battery firing position.

	Spc Randy Lee Stevens Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division. Home Town: Swartz Creek Michigan Age: 21 KIA: 16 April 2005, Ar Ramadi, Iraq Reason: His section's M109 Paladin (155 Howitzer) took a direct hit from a 122 MM Rocket while in the battery firing position.

	Spc Louis E. Niedermeier Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division (Attached to 1st Battalion 503d Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division) Home Town : Largo , Florida Age: 20 KIA: June 1, 2005 , Ar Ramadi , Iraq Reason: When his unit was conducting combat operations, he came under enemy small arms fire.

	SFC Neil Armstrong Prince Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Baltimore , Maryland Age: 35 KIA: June 11, 2005 , Ar Taqaddum , Iraq Reason: When an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his military vehicle.

	SGT Larry R. Kuhns Jr. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Austintown , Ohio Age: 24 KIA: June 13, 2005 , Ar Ramadi , Iraq Reason: When his military vehicle came under a grenade attack while conducting combat operations.

	Spc Anthony David Kinslow Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Westerville , Ohio Age: 21 KIA: June 13, 2005 , Ar Ramadi , Iraq Reason: When his military vehicle came under a grenade attack while conducting combat operations.

	SGT JOHN MICHAEL SULLIVAN Battery B, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Nixon , Tennessee Age: 22 KIA: December 30, 2006 , Baghdad , Iraq Reason: Died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat patrol in Baghdad .

	PFC BRETT A. WALTON Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division HOME TOWN : Hillsboro , Oregon AGE: 37 KIA: April 9, 2007 , Baghdad , Iraq Reason: Died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle

	SGT ISMAEL G. SOLORIO Jr. Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division HOME TOWN : San Luis , Arizona AGE: 21 KIA: April 9, 2007 , Baghdad , Iraq Reason: Died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle.

	PFC BRIAN LEE HOLDEN Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division HOME TOWN : Claremont , North Carolina AGE: 20 KIA: April 9, 2007 , Baghdad , Iraq Reason: Died when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his vehicle.

	SGT Eric A Lill Battery A, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Chicago , Illinois Age: 28 KIA: July 6, 2007 Reason: Died of his wounds in Rustamiyah , Iraq , suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad .

	PFC Christopher D. Kube Company G, 2d Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division Home Town : Sterling Heights , Michigan Age: 18 KIA: July 14, 2007 Reason: Died in Baghdad , Iraq of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

On Saturday, October 15, 2005 a flagpole dedication was held at a subdivision near Chapel Hill , NC . It was to honor one of our own, Spec. 4 Bradley Beard, who was killed October 14, 2004 by a roadside bomb in Iraq . He was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery . He was a member of 2/17th FA.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for the ceremony. Approximately 200 people were there. Fox news and ABC also provided coverage.

Spec. Beard's First Sgt. Woodson Bond presented and raised the flag along with his platoon Sgt. Jose Rodriquez, and friend Sgt. Paul Southers. Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group made up mostly of veterans was also present and they too presented a flag to the Beard family.

The 17th FA Regiment Association presented a wreath made out of red and white carnations, green leaves, a blue banner down the middle with 17th FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION on it. It also had an 8"x 11" copy of our crest in the middle. Charles Riley and Richard Smith wore their standard issued red berets while Robert Kinton wore a class A WW II uniform as they acted as Honor Guard at the wreath. Richard Smith gave a brief speech about the history of the 17th and letting everyone know that Brad's death was not in vain. The cost of Freedom is not free. Brad's death was so that others in the world could live in freedom and not under dictatorship, freedom of speech, assembly, worship without the worry of imprisonment and torture. His parents were thanked on behalf of the 17th for the sacrifice their son had made for the cost of other's Freedom.

Mr. & Mrs. Beard closed giving a talk about the memories of their son. A reception was held afterwards at the pool clubhouse. The Beards were also invited to our reunion next October in Charleston , SC.

(Applications for membership in the Association were also given to the three active duty personnel from 2/17th.)

Richard A. Smith