DOD identifies Army casualties

Department of Defense
News Release

WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense has announced the death of four Soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Soldiers died of wounds suffered in the Aug. 16 crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk, which they were manning.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Hornsby

Honrsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla., joined the Army on Sept. 15, 1998, and became a UH-60 pilot March 11, 2003.

This deployment was Hornsby’s second. He was married with two children.

Hornsby’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Suresh Krause

Krause, 29, of Cathedral City, Calif., joined the Army on Feb. 1, 2007, and became a UH-60 pilot June 22, 2009.

This deployment was Krause’s second.

Krause’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Army Aviator Badge.

 

Sgt. Richard Essex

Essex, 23, of Kelseyville, Calif., joined the Army on July 1, 2008, and became a wheeled vehicle mechanic Nov. 23, 2008.

This deployment was Essex’s second.

Essex’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Aviation Badge and the Drivers Badge.

 

Sgt. Luis Oliver Galbreath

Galbreath, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, joined the Army on Jan. 25, 2003, and became a UH-60 helicopter repairer Dec. 4, 2003.

This deployment was Galbreath’s second. He was married with three children.

Galbreath’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Army Aviation Badge.

 

“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes,” said Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller, commander, 25th ID. “Although the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade family has suffered a huge loss, they still continue their mission with the utmost courage and resolve.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Tags: 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (ID), award, badge, Killed in Action (KIA), medal, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)

Category: Deployed Forces, News